neurological physiotherapy

Neurological physiotherapy is the assessment, treatment and management of people with neurological disorders . Neurological conditions are those affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

neurological CONDITIONS

BRAIN TUMOR

Introduction

A brain tumor is a lump or abnormal cells in your brain. There are both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors can occur. Primary brain tumors are those that start in the brain; secondary (metastatic) brain tumors are those that start in other regions of the body and spread to the brain.

Symptoms

The symptoms are influenced by the size, location, and development rate of the tumor which
include:-
Headaches that gradually get worse and occur more frequently
Vomiting or nausea
Vision problems including double vision, blurring of vision, or reduced peripheral vision
Gradual loss of feeling or motion in a leg or arm
Problems with equilibrium
Speech problems
Decision-making challenges
Inability to obey simple instructions
Changes in the behaviour or personality
Seizures, especially in someone who has never had seizures before
Hearing issues.

Rehabilitation after treatment

The rehabilitation protocol will vary according to the extent of symptoms and aims of the treatment.

It may include:
 Head/neck and trunk control exercises
 Bed mobility and wheelchair exercises
 Upper and lower limb strengthening exercises
 Sensory stimulation
 Soft tissue mobilization, stretches, and massage
 Balancing exercise in sitting or standing and gait re-education and stair practice

Bona fide by : Archana Nirmal
Verified by : Ansha

CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral Palsy (CP) the mobility and posture disorder, which develops during infancy or early childhood as a result of brain injury. The brain damage is irreversible and cannot be repaired, but the earlier intervention is begun, the more progress can be made. Any non-progressive CNS lesion that happens within the first two (or even five) years of life is referred to as CP.

Cerebral Palsy is a group of permanent, but not unchanging, disorders of movement and/or posture and of motor function, which are due to a non-progressive interference, lesion, or abnormality of the developing/immature brain.

TYPES
 Spastic Cerebral Palsy.
 Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy (athetoid, choreoathetoid, and dystonic cerebral palsies)
 Ataxic Cerebral Palsy.
 Mixed Cerebral Palsy

CAUSES
 Congenital
 Genetic
 Inflammatory
 Infectious
 Anoxic
 Traumatic
 Metabolic
 Injury to the developing brain may be prenatal, natal or postnatal

Physiotherapy Management

Aims
 Improve mobility
 Prevent deformity
 Educate the parents
 Teach daily living skills
 Social integration

Treatments
 Active and passive movements
 Weightbearing
 Positioning
 Electrical stimulation
 Cryotherapy
 Hydrotherapy
 Neurofacilitation techniques
 Mobility aids

DEMENTIA

Dementia depicts a general decrease in memory and other reasoning abilities sufficiently extreme to diminish an individual's capacity to perform regular exercises. It is described by the moderate and diminishes mental capabilities.

SYMPTOMS

• Encountering cognitive decline, misguided thinking, and disarray
• Trouble talking, understanding and offering viewpoints, or perusing and composing
• Meandering and losing all sense of direction in a recognizable area
• Inconvenience taking care of cash capably and covering bills
• Rehashing questions
• Utilizing uncommon words to allude to recognizable items
• Taking more time to finish ordinary everyday jobs
• Losing interest in typical everyday exercises or occasions
• Daydreaming or encountering hallucinations or suspicion
• Acting rashly
• Not thinking often about others's sentiments
• Losing offset and issues with development

CAUSES

• Alzheimer's sickness
• Unusual totals of protein that foster inside nerve cells
• Degeneration of the cerebrum of the mind
• After a stroke
• Certain contaminations like HIV
• Destructive utilization of liquor
• Dietary inadequacies

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT

• Group exercise
• Hydrotherapy
• Virtual reality
• Practice of functional tasks
• Indoor/outdoor mobility practice
• Stairs/slope practice
• Fatigue management
• Provision of mobility aids and equipment

GULLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME

Introduction

A rare condition known as Guillain-Barre syndrome causes your body's immune system to assault your nerves. Typically, your hands and feet will feel weak and tingly first. These symptoms can spread swiftly and ultimately paralyse your entire body. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency in its most severe form. The majority of patients with the illness require hospitalisation for treatment.

Symptoms

There may be tingling and weakness in your feet and legs before it spreads to your upper torso and arms in the early stages of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Some people first detect symptoms in their faces or arms.
Muscle wasting can proceed to paralysis in Guillain-Barre disease.

Guillain-Barre syndrome symptoms and signs can include:
The feeling of having pins and needles in your fingers, toes, ankles, or wrists Leg weakness that radiates to your upper body
Having difficulty walking or climbing stairs difficulty speaking, chewing, or swallowing; difficulty moving facial muscles either double vision or difficulty moving the eyes severe pain that may be worse at night and feel achy, shooting, or cramp like sensation.
Difficulty controlling one's bowels or bladder
Quick heartbeat
High or low blood pressure
Having trouble breathing

Physiotherapy management

Splinting, passive range of motion, active assistive range of motion, and encouragement of active range of motion are some of the immediate ways that PTs help maintain range of motion . Through chest therapy, PTs support patient's tolerance for upright positions and respiratory hygiene . PTs begin working on bed mobility, transfers, and wheelchair mobility in the acute setting . The patient may move from the medical floor to inpatient rehabilitation after they are medically stable and able to handle three hours of therapy each day.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Multiple Sclerosis is an inflammatory illness caused by the immune system that impacts myelinated axons in the central nervous system, damaging both the myelin and axon to a varying degree. This can lead to severe physical disability for approximately 30% of patients within 20-25 years.

SYMPTOMS

A sensation of lack of power in one or more limbs, usually happening on a single side of the body.
Pins and needles sensation.
A feeling of being electrocuted when moving the neck, especially when bending it forward
Inability to coordinate
 Unbalanced walking or incapability to move on foot
 Sight can be reduced partially or entirely, usually only in one eye at a time
 Vision that lasts for an extended period of time involving two images
 Unclear sight
 Dizziness
 Issues concerning sexual activity, elimination of waste, and urination
 Exhaustion
 Talking with a slur
 Mental difficulties
 Emotional disturbances

CAUSES

The origin of multiple sclerosis is a mystery. It is thought to be an illness in which the body's defense system turns against its own cells.

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT

 Strength and aerobic training
 Aquatic exercise programs
 Specific balance exercises
 Hippotherapy
 Motor imagery and rhythmic auditory stimulation
 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
 Gait rehabilitation
 Electro therapy

WHAT CAUSES NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS ?

The specific causes of neurological problems vary, but can include genetic disorders, congenital abnormalities or disorders, infections, lifestyle or environmental health problems including malnutrition, and brain injury, spinal cord injury or nerve injury.

The nervous system is vulnerable to various disorders.

It can be damaged by the following:
Trauma.
Infections.
Degeneration.
Structural defects.
Tumors.
Blood flow disruption.
Autoimmune disorders.

Other causes of pain include postural strain, repetitive movements, overuse, and prolonged immobilization.

Changes in posture or poor body mechanics may bring about spinal alignment problems and muscle shortening, therefore causing other muscles to be misused and become painful.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS ?

Movement Disorders
Difficulty With Fine or Gross Motor Skills
Jerky Movement
Paralysis
Reduced Balance
Reduced Range of Movement
Slow or Rigid Movement

Muscular Problems
Dystonia
Hemiplegia
High & Low Tone
Paralysis
Soft Tissue Contractures
Spasms
Spasticity
Weakness

Sensory Problems
Abnormal Sensation
Reduced Proprioception
Reduced Coordination

Fatigue
Decreased Stamina & Fitness Levels
Difficulty Sleeping

Pain
Neuropathic Pain
Post Stroke Pain

Walking Problems
Abnormal Gait
Foot Drop
Increased Risk of Falling

Functional Problems
Breathing Difficulties
Difficulty Driving
Difficulty Transferring
Difficulty With Everyday Tasks
Hand and Arm Problems
Loss of Independence

Complex Problems

Cognition Problems
Communication Problems
Developmental Problems
Learning Difficulties
Mood

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NEUROPHYSIOTHERAPY ?

The aim of neurophysiotherapy is to help rehabilitate physical impairments caused by neurological conditions as already mentioned. It is tailored to the specific needs of each individual with a personalized goal-oriented target. For example, does the patient need big improvements such as learning to walk again, or is it small fine movements that need correction? This will be determined by trained neurological physiotherapists on an initial visit.

The brain is able to both lose and form new connections, a phenomenon called neuroplasticity. Neurophysiotherapy is different from traditional physiotherapy in that it takes advantage of this phenomenon, helping the brain to form new synaptic connections. In effect, it rewires the brain to learn or re-learn tasks and abilities.

Neurophysiotherapy can either be conducted on a one-on-one manner, as when the posture is to be improved or a patient needs to re-learn how to walk, stand or sit if the damage is severe. Other tasks such as walking and moderate exercises may also be performed in groups to create a friendlier environment and make rehabilitation more enjoyable.

Neurophysiotherapy does not stop at simple passive exercises or tailored exercises to build strength and coordination. Depending on the extent of motor dysfunction, limb positioning or splints may be prescribed to aid joint recovery. In certain cases, mobility aids may be needed such as a walking frame or specialised wheelchair, including training to use them.

In all cases of neurophysiotherapy, exercises taught by trained neurological physiotherapists are to be repeated both in the clinic and at home on a daily basis to ensure muscle tone and motor function does not deteriorate. These may include simple 'at-home’ exercises, or frequent visits to the clinic to engage in tailored or group activities.

Rehabilitation will depend on the extent of the brain damage/injury, as well as how early neurophysiotherapy begins. Furthermore, the attitude or willingness of the affected individual is also crucial to success. Caregivers and family members need to be equally engaged in the process, not only to ensure that neurophysiotherapy is being performed both at home as well as in the clinic, but also to improve the patient’s morale and attitude.

Bethany Navajeevan Physiotherapy Clinic
& Rehabilitation Centre

'Learn to Heal' with Care & Compassion

neurological physiotherapy

neurological CONDITIONS

BRAIN TUMOR

Bona fide by : Archana Nirmal
Verified by : Ansha

CEREBRAL PALSY

DEMENTIA

GULLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

WHAT CAUSES NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS ?

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS ?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NEUROPHYSIOTHERAPY ?

neurological physiotherapy

neurological CONDITIONS

BRAIN TUMOR

Bona fide by : Archana Nirmal Verified by : Ansha

WHAT CAUSES NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS ?

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS ?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NEUROPHYSIOTHERAPY ?

Bona fide by : Archana Nirmal
Verified by : Ansha