Lycra Compression Garments in Belfast & Northern Ireland
Specialist dynamic orthotic Lycra garments from Allard UK. Custom-fitted compression suits, vests, shorts, socks, and gloves for cerebral palsy, hypotonia, and sensory processing in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Understanding Lycra Compression Garments
What are Lycra Compression Garments?
Lycra compression garments, also known as dynamic orthotic suits or DMO suits, are specialist therapeutic garments made from elastic Lycra fabric. Unlike traditional rigid orthotics, Lycra garments provide dynamic support through graduated compression, allowing movement whilst providing therapeutic benefits.
We supply Allard UK Elements garments, the leading manufacturer of dynamic orthotic Lycra garments in the UK, known for their high-quality materials, customisable compression levels, and evidence-based design.
How Lycra Garments Work:
- Provide proprioceptive feedback improving body awareness
- Support better postural alignment and control
- Reduce unwanted movements and tremors
- Facilitate more coordinated movement patterns
- Offer sensory input for calming and focus
- Support weak muscles whilst allowing active movement
Who Benefits from Lycra Garments?
Lycra compression garments benefit children and adults with a range of neurological and developmental conditions affecting movement, posture, and muscle tone:
- Cerebral Palsy: All types (spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, mixed)
- Hypotonia: Low muscle tone requiring postural support
- Hypertonia: High muscle tone benefiting from sensory input
- Sensory Processing Disorders: Needing proprioceptive feedback
- Developmental Coordination Disorder: DCD/dyspraxia
- Acquired Brain Injury: Stroke, TBI affecting muscle control
- Genetic Conditions: Affecting muscle tone and movement
Lycra garments are suitable from toddler age through to adulthood, with sizes and compression levels tailored to individual needs.
Allard UK Elements Lycra Garment Range
Full Body Suits
Comprehensive dynamic support from shoulders to ankles. Full body Lycra suits provide graduated compression throughout the trunk and limbs, improving overall postural control, reducing asymmetry, supporting hip and shoulder stability, and facilitating more coordinated whole-body movement. Ideal for children with significant postural challenges or whole-body involvement. Available in short-sleeve and long-sleeve options.
Vests & Jackets
Upper body and trunk support without lower limb compression. Lycra vests provide shoulder stability and scapular control, improve sitting posture and trunk alignment, reduce upper limb tremor and unwanted movements, and support better head control. Suitable for individuals needing trunk support whilst maintaining independent lower limb function. Can be worn discreetly under clothing.
Shorts & Leggings
Lower body compression for hip, knee, and leg support. Lycra shorts and leggings improve hip stability and alignment, support better standing and walking patterns, reduce scissoring gait in cerebral palsy, provide proprioceptive feedback to lower limbs, and improve balance and coordination. Available in various lengths from short shorts to full-length leggings.
Compression Socks
Ankle and foot positioning support. Lycra compression socks provide gentle compression to improve ankle stability, support better foot positioning during standing and walking, reduce toe clawing or curling, and provide sensory feedback to feet and ankles. Can be worn inside shoes with AFO braces or independently. Particularly beneficial for mild drop foot or ankle instability.
Gloves & Hand Garments
Hand and wrist compression for improved function. Lycra gloves improve hand and wrist positioning, reduce tremor and unwanted movements in hands, support better grasp and manipulation skills, provide sensory feedback for improved body awareness, and can reduce thumb-in-palm posturing. Available in full-finger and fingerless designs to suit functional needs.
The Assessment & Fitting Process
Initial Assessment
Your Lycra garment journey begins with a comprehensive assessment in Belfast to determine suitability and garment requirements:
- Clinical evaluation: Assessment of muscle tone, posture, movement patterns, and functional goals
- Discussion: Understanding your needs, daily activities, and treatment objectives
- Measurement: Precise body measurements for custom garment sizing
- Garment selection: Recommending appropriate garment type and compression level
- Trial (if available): Trying sample garments to assess immediate effects
- Ordering: Custom garment ordered from Allard UK with your specifications
Fitting & Follow-Up
Once your custom Lycra garment arrives (typically 4-6 weeks), we'll schedule a fitting appointment:
- Check fit and compression levels are appropriate
- Make any necessary adjustments to straps or closures
- Demonstrate how to put on and remove the garment
- Provide wearing schedule and care instructions
- Discuss integration with other therapies and orthotics
- Arrange follow-up reviews to monitor progress
Regular reviews ensure the garment continues to meet your needs as you progress or grow. Growing children typically need new garments every 6-12 months.
Lycra Garments for Cerebral Palsy
Evidence-Based Treatment for CP
Lycra compression garments are an established treatment option for cerebral palsy, supported by clinical research and recommended by physiotherapists and occupational therapists. For children and adults with CP, Lycra garments can improve posture and alignment, reduce spasticity and unwanted movements, enhance motor control and coordination, support functional activities like sitting, standing, and walking, and provide sensory feedback improving body awareness.
Learn more about cerebral palsy orthotic management →Complementary to Traditional Orthotics
Lycra garments work alongside other orthotic interventions rather than replacing them. Many children with cerebral palsy use Lycra suits in combination with AFO braces for ankle/foot control, spinal orthoses for scoliosis management, and positioning equipment for sitting support. This comprehensive approach addresses the whole body whilst allowing the flexibility and comfort of dynamic garments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Lycra compression garments and how do they work?
Lycra compression garments (also called dynamic orthotic suits or DMO suits) are made from specialist elastic fabric that provides graduated compression to muscles and joints. They improve body awareness (proprioception), support better posture and alignment, reduce unwanted movements, provide sensory feedback, and facilitate more controlled movement patterns. They are particularly beneficial for children and adults with cerebral palsy, hypotonia, sensory processing disorders, and developmental coordination difficulties.
What Lycra garment options are available in Belfast?
We provide Allard UK Elements Lycra garments in Belfast including full body suits for comprehensive trunk and limb support, vests/jackets for upper body and trunk control, shorts/leggings for lower limb and hip stability, socks for ankle and foot positioning, and gloves for hand and wrist support. Each garment is custom-measured and available in various compression levels to suit individual needs.
Who can benefit from Lycra compression garments?
Lycra garments benefit individuals with cerebral palsy (all types), hypotonia (low muscle tone), hypertonia (high muscle tone), sensory processing disorders, developmental coordination disorder (DCD/dyspraxia), ataxia and balance difficulties, acquired brain injury, and genetic conditions affecting muscle tone. They are suitable for children and adults, with garments available from toddler sizes upwards.
How long do Lycra garments last and how are they cared for?
Lycra garments typically last 6-12 months with proper care, though growing children may need replacements sooner due to size changes. They should be hand washed or machine washed on a gentle cycle in cool water, air dried (never tumble dried), and kept away from heat sources. Most families purchase 2-3 garments to allow for washing rotation and ensure continuous wear.
Are Lycra compression garments available on the NHS in Northern Ireland?
Lycra garments may be available through the NHS in Northern Ireland for children with significant disabilities, typically via referral from paediatric physiotherapy or occupational therapy services. Private provision is also available at Bull Orthotics with assessment costs from £50 and garment costs varying by type and size.
What is the difference between Lycra suits and traditional orthotics?
Lycra suits provide dynamic support through compression and proprioceptive feedback whilst allowing full movement, whereas traditional plastic orthotics (like AFOs) provide rigid structural support and limit movement. Lycra garments are lightweight, discreet under clothing, comfortable for all-day wear, and work throughout the entire body rather than just one joint. They complement rather than replace traditional orthotics, and many children use both types together.
Explore Lycra Compression Garments in Belfast
Book your Lycra garment assessment today in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We'll evaluate your needs and recommend the most appropriate Allard UK Elements garment to support your movement, posture, and functional goals.
Call: 07727061400
Email: info@bullorthotics.com