DMI therapy: your questions, answered

Few methods generate as many questions from parents as DMI — Dynamic Movement Intervention. That's a good thing: the questions deserve real answers. We've collected the ones we hear most often and grouped them below, together with how DMI fits into ORCA — Objective Reasoning & Clinical Architecture, the clinical framework behind our therapy.

The basics: what DMI is

What is DMI therapy?

DMI is a scientifically grounded therapeutic technique for children with motor challenges. It uses the brain's neuroplasticity: exercises directed against gravity present the nervous system with new, challenging movement tasks, prompting the brain to build alternative strategies and new neural connections. Motor milestones — from rolling to crawling to walking — are stimulated step by step.

Which children is it for?

Children with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions, genetic conditions such as Down syndrome, premature babies at risk of developmental delay, children with hypotonia or muscle-tone disorders, and children with spinal or acquired brain injuries. It can also be valuable in rare genetic conditions — Rett, Angelman and Prader-Willi syndromes, muscular dystrophy, ataxia or mitochondrial disease — wherever motor function is limited.

How does it help?

Families typically see gains in postural control, range of motion, balance and coordination, body awareness and muscle-tone regulation — and, alongside the motor progress, knock-on effects in speech, vision, play and learning.

How DMI differs from traditional therapy

What makes it different?

Where classical approaches often rely on passive mobilisation and slow, gradual build-ups, DMI actively challenges the child with dynamic, complex movements. The brain is pushed to find solutions of its own — which is precisely what drives adaptation.

Why are there so few DMI therapists?

The training is long, demanding and highly specialised, and many therapists stay with familiar methods like Bobath or Vojta. Our centre is DMI Level C certified, and in 2025 became home to the first therapist in Switzerland to complete the Intermediate A certification — one of the highest levels worldwide. We're also committed to helping train more DMI therapists in the years ahead.

Why does my child take their orthoses off during sessions?

Orthoses stabilise joints, but they also filter out the sensory feedback DMI relies on. The therapy deliberately trains proprioception and balance by letting the child position their own body in space — so unless there's a specific medical reason, sessions happen without orthoses.

What sessions actually look like

What happens at the first session?

We start with a thorough intake: a detailed history, observation of movement patterns, and standardised tests to establish where your child stands. From that baseline we build an individual therapy plan.

How long is a session, and how often?

A standard session lasts 45 to 60 minutes — intensive enough to work, short enough not to overload. Frequency depends on your child's goals: many families come several times a week, while others choose intensive blocks with multiple sessions per day over several days or weeks.

Can DMI be combined with other therapies?

Yes — and it usually should be. DMI pairs well with general physiotherapy, occupational therapy for fine motor skills and daily living, and speech therapy. Interdisciplinary teamwork tends to produce the best results.

Is it hard on my child?

Why do some children cry during therapy?

DMI asks children to work outside their comfort zone, and that can be frustrating at first — much like learning to ride a bike or swim. That challenge is exactly what drives progress, and most children settle in within a few sessions.

Is it painful?

No. DMI is demanding, but it is not designed to cause pain. Therapists watch your child's reactions constantly and adapt each exercise — and many children end sessions visibly proud of what they've just managed.

Are there side effects?

There are no known serious side effects. Some children show mild muscle soreness after intensive sessions, brief frustration while learning new patterns, or extra energy afterwards from the stimulation — all normal signs of active learning.

Progress, and how we measure it

What progress can we expect?

Depending on the starting point: better postural control and balance, stronger and better-coordinated movement, and new milestones — sitting, standing, walking. Progress varies with the starting level, the regularity of therapy, and how much practice happens at home.

And in the long term?

The aim is lasting change: greater independence in everyday life, improved posture and stability, stronger muscles and more stable joints. Many parents also report gains in attention, learning and social interaction.

How do we track it?

Through regular written reports, video documentation, standardised assessment scores tracked over time, and your own observations at home — several families keep a simple progress diary, and it's a habit we warmly recommend.

Practical questions: age, costs, getting started

Is there an age limit?

DMI suits a wide range — from babies of a few months, whose nervous systems are at their most adaptable, through school-age children to teenagers working on coordination and stability.

Will insurance cover the costs?

Coverage varies case by case, and the definitive answer always comes from your insurer — we're therapists, not insurance specialists. It generally helps to ask your insurer directly and to attach a doctor's certificate confirming medical necessity; in Switzerland, several insurers and the IV have covered individual sessions and intensive programs. Our fees page shows transparent costs, and we prepare the documents you need for any application.

How do we get started?

With a detailed 50-minute assessment: we examine your child, establish their current developmental stage, and give you concrete recommendations and a tailored plan. Check what to bring, then book a free introductory call — we'll take it from there, together.