How Physical Therapy Can Help You Manage a Neurological Disorder
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) can drastically alter your life. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and CVA, also known as stroke, change how people function at home and in their communities. While neurological disorders can be debilitating, physical therapy can help improve function and support both the patient and the family.
According to ChoosePT, “Physical therapists are movement specialists who collaborate with physical therapist assistants to treat patients of all ages and abilities.”
Physical therapy for neurological disorders may be the key to regaining your independence if you have been diagnosed with ALS or CVA. Our physical therapists are eager to assist you in reaching your objectives. Give a call to Dr. Physio Therapy & Wellness Clinic to begin your personalized treatment plan.
Which neurological disorders can be treated with physical therapy?
The brain, spinal cord, and nerves are all affected by neurological disorders. They can affect people of any age. Here are some of the many neurological diseases that physical therapists treat:
1. Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder that affects the central nervous system and how the body moves. Parkinson’s disease affects many brain areas; symptoms vary from person to person, and progression can be mild, moderate, or aggressive. Physical therapy addresses the changes in movement patterns caused by Parkinson’s disease and recommends assistive devices to make walking easier and safer.
2. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disease that usually starts in the hands, feet, and extremities before spreading to the brain. Walking, speaking, eating, and breathing muscles are all affected by ALS.
While there is no cure for ALS, the rehabilitation team’s goal is to keep the patient as independent and functional as possible. Physical therapists play an important role in making the patient’s home environment safe by recommending adaptive equipment and mobility aids such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, braces, and other devices.
3. Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
A complete spinal cord injury can result in complete paralysis of the muscles beneath that level. A partial spinal cord injury can result in a variety of symptoms, including partial paralysis. Areas that are paralyzed lose range of motion, and atrophy, and can affect posture. Everyday activities like brushing one’s teeth or dressing can be hampered, leaving a patient with a spinal cord injury dependent on others.
Physical therapy encourages as much independence as possible by preserving the range of motion, improving postural strength muscles, and fitting adaptive equipment. Therapists can also assist in training family members or caregivers in safe transfer techniques. Our physical therapists collaborate with you and your family to conduct comprehensive capabilities assessments and develop a treatment plan to maximize function.
4. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that causes demyelination of central nervous system neurons, resulting in scarring and a reduction in the ability to transmit nervous system signals.
Physical therapy aids in the treatment of weakness, range of motion loss, balance problems, transfers, and walking. It can also significantly improve function and independence in MS patients. We assist patients in adapting to changing needs by teaching them how to use assistive equipment such as a cane or walker.
5. Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
A CVA is more commonly referred to as a stroke. CVA occurs when blood flow to a specific area of the brain is restricted due to a clot or bleeding. The severity of symptoms and the length of recovery time are determined by where the stroke occurred in the brain, the extent of the damage, and the duration of the stroke.
Physical therapy is an important part of a stroke survivor’s recovery. A thorough evaluation determines strength, transfers, walking, balance, range of motion, and safety progression. Physical therapists treat each person as an individual, tailoring the best rehabilitative process to each case in order to maximize independence.
To optimize recovery and return-to-life activities, physical therapists will collaborate with a patient’s rehabilitation team, which includes physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, neurologists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, music therapists, and the family.
Schedule your assessment today!
Our physical therapists are committed to assisting you in regaining your optimum levels of function so that you can live as independently as possible. Schedule an evaluation today at Dr. Physio Therapy & Wellness Clinic in order to reclaim your life.