A Battle With Plantar Fascitis

Neurological Physiotherapy is a specialist area of physiotherapy which focuses on the treatment of people with neurological conditions. These affect the function of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

The conditions that can be treated by this specialised physiotherapy can have a devastating effect on the life of those that have them as well as on their families and friends.

There are a number of conditions that can be treated with neurological physiotherapy and this can often ease some of the symptoms.

1. Parkinson’s Disease – this is probably one of the most well-known diseases in this category. The person has problems with balance and movements as well as memory and being able to do simple tasks independently. Some exercises can be done to improve balance and reduce slow movements. Coordination training can be undertaken to improve quality of life by being able to do some simple tasks independently.
2. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – another well known condition. There are many symptoms such as paralysis, fatigue, balance issues, numbness and loss of control of bodily functions. Exercises will help reduce levels of fatigue and improve posture. Other exercises can be done to support and improve quality of life, depending on the symptoms that are the most noticeable.
3. Facial palsy – this is a paralysis of the face. It will affect speech and eating. Exercises will help the face by using the nerves to restimulate the facial muscles.
4. Brain tumours – the symptoms vary depending on where the tumour is located. Physiotherapy will help somebody to become as functional as possible, being able to do things such as turn independently in bed or walk.
5. Motor Neurone Disease – the symptoms will vary depending on which part of the brain is affected. Physiotherapy can help much in the same way as for brain tumours.
6. Myasthenia Gravis – this is characterised by severe fatigue and weakness, drooping eyelids and some of the other symptoms will vary depending on which part of the brain is affected. Physiotherapy can help much in the same way as for brain tumours.
7. Spinal Cord Injury – Paralysis is the most common effect of this, but it can also cause weakness, difficulty in breathing, walking or going to the toilet. Physiotherapy can help much in the same way as for brain tumours.
8. Stroke – this can affect a number of functions of the body and depending on where the stroke occurred, the person can have a loss of movement or control on muscles and bodily functions. Physiotherapy is used at the right time to reduce the paralysis of the muscles and if it is not used, then the muscles cannot ever return to anything like what they were before.
9. Peripheral Neuropathies – these can include but are not limited to Diabetes, Erb’s Palsy, Radial Nerve Entrapment or Carpal Tunnel. Electrical Stimulation will help the nerves and the muscles to restore strength and reduce the paralysis.
10. Alzheimers/ Dementia – another well known disease. The person will have loss of memory and difficulty in performing basic functions in life. The aim of physiotherapy is to keep the person as active as possible during the therapy sessions to stimulate their brain.
11. Vertigo – you will get some dizziness, blurred vision, double vision or it will be difficult to perform any neck movements. Physiotherapy can use techniques to reduce these symptoms and teach some coping strategies.
12. Concussion – this will depend on which part of the brain is affected, but you can usually suffer from this following a sharp bang to the head. Physiotherapy can help much in the same way as brain tumours.

In summary, Physiotherapy can really help with Neurological Conditions by improving the quality of life and ensuring that the muscles and joints remain as functional as possible, even if they are no longer able to be used.

If you have any questions about Neurological Physiotherapy, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me through Xcel Health. I’ll be happy to talk through how physiotherapy can benefit you, or more likely your loved ones.