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Firstly, it is worth explaining the role of Physiotherapists (or "Physios"). Physiotherapists are health professionals who work with people of all ages to improve a person's physical function for day to day life, to rehabilitate injuries, reduce pain and to improve overall quality of life through physical movement. Physios work with healthy people and athletes, disabled people, and people who may have a range of acute or chronic health conditions - including aging (yes it catches up with all of us)!
Neurological Physiotherapists and Conditions Treated
Neurophysiotherapy is physiotherapy performed by Neurological Physiotherapists who are specially trained to diagnose and treat people with movement and function disorders that have originated from problems within the body's nervous and neuromuscular system. These disorders affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and can include (but are not limited to) the following conditions:
Cerebral Palsy,
Stroke,
Traumatic brain injury,
Multiple Sclerosis,
Parkinson’s Disease,
Spinal cord injury,
Motor Neuron Disease.
Impact of Neurological Conditions
Neurological conditions can have a huge impact on a person’s life. They can cause impairments in people’s cognition, perception, communication, mood, social capabilities and physical function. A Neurological Physiotherapist considers all aspects of a person's condition/(s) when determining the appropriate treatment plan, but will also typically focus on the impairments that impact on the individual's physical function, which may include the condition's impact on their:
strength
loss of movement
sensation
respiration (breathing)
physical endurance, fatigue
pain
postural deformity
muscle spasms and
loss of balance.
Improving Quality of Life
These impairments can have profound affects on a person's quality of life, their ability to perform tasks and activities of everyday living. In treating a person with a neurological condition, a Neurophysiotherapist will not only focus on the condition's impairments - they will also look to improve the person's quality of life by helping them to undertake important daily activities, where possible and as appropriate, ie:
getting out of bed
toileting
leaving the house
doing the shopping
feeding their pets
caring for family
meeting with friends
and much, much, more.
Treatment
Treatments can be specific to one particular area of the body (for example stretching the leg) or involve many body parts (such as practicing and working towards standing up). The Physio may perform hands on work or prescribe exercises to treat a condition (depending on the condition and a number of other factors) with the intention of helping the person to increase their mobility and overall quality of life. They may also modify an activity by adding a device (or "assistive technology" / "AT"), such as a walking frame (eg: "Sara Steady"), or may assist a person to learn how to achieve a daily activity through a capacity building program focused on improved movement and mobility.
Personalised Treatment Aligned to Achieving Your Goals
If you or someone you care about has a neurological condition and you are considering getting physiotherapy, it is vitally important to ensure that the Neurological Physiotherapist takes the time to understand your goals and what you'd like to achieve as part of a personalised physiotherapy Treatment Plan, which is tailored to suit your unique situation.
Body Agility are nationally registered NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) providers of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology and personal training. We take the time to understand your NDIS Goals, to fully understand your condition, and to create a tailored Treatment Plan to help you achieve your goals. We deliver our services with care, respect and compassion.
What are YOUR goals? We can help. Contact us now, we have capacity to provide services to you immediately, right across the broader Perth region with home visits, or at one of our clinics / gyms or studio - or via video consultation (telehealth). We'd be delighted to hear from you.
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