People with nervous system problems may experience changes in their balance, coordination, and general movement, which may have an impact on their day-to-day activities and lifestyle. Neurologic physiotherapy’s objective is to help patients improve their quality of life, as well as their mobility and functional abilities, so they can better support their own well-being.
After receiving a diagnosis of a neurological disease or injury, it is highly advisable that immediate intervention by a physiotherapist take place. The evidence suggests that the sooner the appropriate treatment is received, the greater the likelihood that a person will acquire or keep their independence and abilities for a longer period. Early intervention provides the opportunity to identify and mitigate issues before they affect an individual’s function and quality of life, and it also has the potential to slow the progression of conditions that are degenerative.
These benefits can be realised by identifying and mitigating issues before they have the chance to affect an individual.
Spinal cord injuries
Damage to the spinal cord, which is responsible for carrying impulses to and from the brain, is referred to as a spinal cord injury. Depending on the extent of the damage to the spinal cord and the severity of the injury, a person who has this condition may experience a loss of motor function and feeling. Many injuries that occur to the spinal cord are partial and do not completely sever it. There are some injuries from which a nearly full recovery is possible. The other options will result in total paralysis.
Fractures, pressure on the spinal cord, and disease are all potential causes of damage to the spinal cord. In most cases, a person who has sustained an injury “high” on the spinal cord will have a more difficult time functioning normally. In most cases, quadriplegia is the result of damage to the region of the neck, which leads to loss of function as well as sensory impairment in the arms and legs.
When the middle and lower back are injured, it frequently causes problems in the chest as well as the legs, which can lead to paraplegia. A person who suffers from paraplegia will have difficulties with the motor and/or sensory function of their lower limbs. Paraplegia is a neurological disorder.
The extent of the damage to the spinal cord will determine the consequences of the patient’s condition. In most cases, a spinal cord injury will be accompanied by one of two distinct types of lesions, which are as follows:
- A complete injury to the spinal cord leaves the patient entirely paralysed below the site of the lesion. This paralysis is accompanied by a loss of the abilities to feel pain, pressure, temperature, and feeling.
- A person who has suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury may experience some loss of movement and feeling below the level of their lesion since there is only a partial impairment to the spinal cord. This type of injury occurs when there is only a portion of the spinal cord that has been damaged.
A person who has sustained a damage to their spinal cord should begin physiotherapy as quickly as feasible following the accident. Those who have sustained injuries to their spinal cord can benefit from neurological physiotherapy that is specialised for their condition. A spinal cord injury will have a profound effect on your life as well as the lives of those closest to you.
Transcend Health’s expert neurological physiotherapists are aware that a person who has suffered injury to their spinal cord will be confronted with a significant number of obstacles during the course of their lifetime. You will receive support and guidance from your physiotherapist throughout your treatment, and they will work closely with your partners, family, and caregivers.
Physiotherapy following a stroke
A stroke can result in weakness or paralysis on one side of your body, as well as difficulties moving and performing daily tasks. You can learn to move so that you can get around with the aid of physiotherapy. It can assist you in learning to utilise your arm and hand as much as you can in regular tasks. Following a stroke, physiotherapy can help with a variety of issues, including joint pain, balance issues, joint stiffness and spasticity, and muscle stiffness and spasticity.
After a stroke, the brain can reorganise its healthy cells to make up for the lost cells even while it cannot produce new cells to replace the injured ones. The term for this is neuroplasticity. Your post-stroke therapy can serve as a guide in this process, and your physiotherapist will offer advice on how to relearn movement and regain function.
Early on, physical therapy concentrates on avoiding issues and speeding up your recovery. Later, it can assist you in figuring out how to make it possible for you to do activities that are essential to you, including getting out of bed or engaging in sports. To finish a task, you could employ tools or discover new movement patterns. A physiotherapist can also assist you in adapting a task or activity so that you can do it on your own.
As soon as you are admitted to the hospital following your stroke, a physiotherapist should assess you. This assessment should consider any health problems you might have had in the years prior to your stroke. It should make sure that any movement concerns are dealt with immediately to give you the best chance of completing a full recovery.
Good care in the early stages is essential to help prevent muscle tightness or joint stiffness. If you have limited mobility, a therapist can give you tips on how to move around and settle in. They can give you advice on how and when to move around, as well as what tools might be helpful.
Your therapist will work with you to determine the priorities or objectives you hope to be able to achieve soon. This enables you to make sure that your treatment is focused on the problems that are important to you and will take your hopes and plans into account. Your goals will be influenced by how your stroke affected you, your interests and skills, and the kind of life you hope to lead in the future. Your early goals can be simple ones that only call for you to reach out and grab something.
Transcend Health can help you reach your goals
Early intervention can be the key to successful treatment so talk to us today to find out how we can help you live the fullest life possible after setbacks like spinal cord injury or stroke. You may even be eligible for NDIS assistance. Contact us now to find out more. Call 02 4961 3399 or use our contact form.