From March 9 to March 19, 2026, Department of Rehabilitation – Vietnam National Children’s Hospital welcomed therapy specialist Erez Pilz (Austria) to work and exchange professional knowledge on the Feldenkrais Method in supporting rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy. The program was organized with the coordination of the Humanitarian Support and Development Center and partner organizations, creating opportunities for the hospital’s medical staff to update their knowledge and practice the Feldenkrais therapy approach.
The expert delegation taking a commemorative photo with doctors and therapists of the Rehabilitation Department
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Nguyen Thi Huong Giang expressed her appreciation to the expert delegation and the supporting organizations for facilitating the connection and implementation of the program, which contributes to improving the quality of care and treatment for children.
The Rehabilitation Department of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital is one of the pioneering units in pediatric rehabilitation in Vietnam. Each year, the department receives more than 31,000 patient visits for examination and treatment of various disabilities, including many children with cerebral palsy. In addition, the department actively implements many scientific research, training, referral support, and international cooperation activities in order to enhance professional capacity for the healthcare system. Currently, for children with cerebral palsy, the department is implementing various intervention methods such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, the use of orthotic devices and other assistive equipment. At the same time, counseling and guiding parents to practice rehabilitation exercises for their children at home is also emphasized to support long-term functional recovery.
According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Huong Giang, the implementation of the Feldenkrais therapy method for children with cerebral palsy demonstrates the proactive approach of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in adopting advanced rehabilitation techniques, moving toward more personalized care and treatment.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Huong Giang – Acting Head of the Rehabilitation Department sharing remarks during the program
During the program, therapy specialist Erez Pilz (Austria) presented an overview of the Feldenkrais Method. The method was developed by physicist and engineer Moshe Feldenkrais (1904–1984) and is based on the principle that human movement, sensation, thinking, and emotions are closely interconnected within a unified system. When people learn to move more effectively, they can also improve their adaptability and overall quality of life.
Unlike traditional physiotherapy or movement exercises, the Feldenkrais Method focuses on training the nervous system through slow, gentle, and mindful movements. Through subtle guidance and touch from the therapist at different points of the body, the brain is stimulated to reorganize and form new neural connections — a process known as neuroplasticity.
For children with cerebral palsy — who have injuries in the brain regions responsible for motor control — the Feldenkrais Method does not attempt to force the body to perform difficult movements. Instead, it gently stimulates the brain to explore alternative movement strategies. Through repeated and subtle movements, children may gradually improve posture, reduce muscle spasticity, enhance motor coordination, and increase body awareness.
Within the framework of the program, after the professional discussions, the expert directly demonstrated several basic techniques and conducted therapy sessions for pediatric patients at the Rehabilitation Department. Doctors and therapists of the hospital observed, exchanged ideas, and practiced under the expert’s guidance in order to access new rehabilitation techniques.
Expert guiding Feldenkrais techniques for healthcare staff of the Rehabilitation Department
The direct sharing of experience and technical guidance from an international expert not only helps the healthcare staff of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital update their professional knowledge in rehabilitation medicine, but also contributes to raising community awareness of the importance of early intervention for children with cerebral palsy. This activity also demonstrates the hospital’s efforts to adopt advanced treatment approaches, aiming to further improve the quality of care and rehabilitation services for children.
