Neurological Conditions
What are Neurological Conditions?
There are a variety of neurological disorders. These kinds of conditions influence the ways in which a person is about to comfortably move. Their muscle coordination may be seriously impaired and, in many cases, they may not be able to function independently.
A few common neurological conditions are stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, among others.
What is a Stroke?
Stroke is a leading cause of disability in adults. Blue Oak Physiotherapy can help relieve the effects of a stroke by working to improve balance, walking, and the use of assistive devices.
Common therapies for post-stroke rehabilitation include:
Constraint-induced movement therapy
Motor image
Partial body weight support
Neurotherapy techniques (Biofeedback)
Functional electrical stimulation
Biofeedback is a form of neurological therapy that helps increase understanding of muscle function and how it may need to be improved. This is achieved by adding electrodes to the skin to measure muscle activity on the screen.
After a stroke, our physiotherapists in Abbotsford will help you recover your functional skills so that you can get back to life as normally as possible.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain’s nerve cells. Commonly experienced symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include extreme tremors, slurred speech, and unusual, uncontrollable facial expressions.
Fortunately, physiotherapy can help delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease and help to alleviate symptoms. It also helps improve flexibility and strength by addressing a variety of issues that Parkinson’s disease can cause, including irregular gait, freezing, and dystonia.
What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
ALS is a progressive neurological disease that normally occurs in the hands, legs, and extremities before spreading to the central part of the body. People who develop ALS normally face a challenge with walking first, as they can sometimes fall over or lose their balance. Frequent muscle cramps or weakness in the hands or legs are also common. As ALS spreads across the body, it can influence the way a person uses their extremities, speaks, swallows, and even breathes.
Unfortunately, at this moment, there is no curable treatment for ALS. However, the aim of our recovery team is to help preserve function and independence for as long as possible. Blue Oak Physiotherapy also focuses on the prevention of secondary complications (such as injuries associated with falling) by providing protection and adaptation information while using assistive devices. Our physiotherapists may prescribe the use of supportive equipment, such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, braces, and other aids, as the disease progresses.
What is Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder that affects the brain and the spinal cord. Typical signs of multiple sclerosis are pressure, fatigue, and exhaustion. If it progresses, this disease may be crippling. Fortunately, physiotherapy will help treat and reduce these effects if you are struggling with this illness.
In addition to being presented with guidance on the proper use of assistive devices, you can work with our Blue Oak Physiotherapy therapists on exercises to assist with balance and movement. Our Abbotsford physiotherapist will provide you with tailored stretches to alleviate muscle spasms and to improve strength and range of motion with targeted exercises. For patients with multiple sclerosis, we want to maintain as much comfortable movement as possible.
How physical therapy helps
Neurotherapy is a non-invasive type of treatment that analyzes the behavior of the brain to assess if it can be improved to help enhance function. It recognizes the areas of the brain that require improvement, and then physiotherapy helps to strengthen those areas.
An EEG is used with neurotherapy to assess brain activity and create ‘brain maps.’ Physiotherapists and neurological therapists work closely together in order to create the best possible treatment plan for each patient. Your strength will improve, you’ll be able to perform targeted tasks, and recover your independence much faster by engaging in physiotherapy sessions following a neurological injury.
Ready to get started with treatment? Our physiotherapists at Blue Oak Physiotherapy work closely with neurological specialists to offer the best possible care for you. If you make an appointment to speak with one of our dedicated physiotherapists, you will find out how we can better treat your symptoms and help you achieve your physical goals.