THEY look like they're just kicking back and enjoying themselves but Latrobe Special Developmental School (LSDS) students Sam, Jack and Amy are getting plenty of muscle exercise and making history at the same time.
Thanks to United States company Niagara Therapy, the school has become the first Fairyland Centre in Australia.
The idea behind the centre is to provide a fun environment and offer children vital muscle exercise by introducing larger-than-life toys with built-in Niagara Cycloid Vibration Therapy (CVT) technology.
The toy helps keep the child busy while their muscles are being exercised and strengthened.
The clinics have run in the US since the 1950s.
Niagara developed the technology, which helps improve circulation while relaxing the muscles around painful joints.
It also eases stress and allows the person to rest and relax more.
LSDS principal Michelle Hibbert said the toys would go a long way in providing students with quality health care.
``It is just so important in the students' daily lives and very important for them to use,'' Ms Hibbert said.
``It's such a benefit because it makes their lives easier.
``Some of the students can become very agitated and the massage would definitely help calm them down.''
The initiative of LSDS physiotherapist Megan Williams helped commence the partnership between the school and Niagara.
Earlier this year the company provided the school with a big red therapy chair and a train was introduced to the school on Tuesday at a special opening.
Staff at Niagara spent many hours designing, testing and constructing the train before handing it over to the school.
Within an hour of its introduction the train proved highly popular with the students.
Niagara special projects manager Keith Meiforth said the school would receive up to five more special therapy toys.
He said three more toys would be designed specifically for younger children and the remainder would target the older students.
The concept has struggled to win over busy doctors in Australia but Mr Meiforth hopes the LSDS Fairyland Centre will help pave the way for further clinics.
``It is our goal to have one Fairyland Centre operating in every state in Australia within the next three years and after that we will hopefully work on getting two in each state,'' Mr Meiforth said.
``The technology is medically proven and it does not just provide normal two-action vibrations but a full three-dimensional massage, helping with respiratory and deep tissue massage, which helps with veins and arteries.''
He said the company's technology was used at the Australian Institute of Sport for rehabilitation and recovery and by the University of Sydney to teach its medical and science students the relativity between muscle and nerve communication.
The school also received portable CVT equipment from Niagara, valued at $20,000.
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