What is Neurological Physiotherapy

Neurological Physiotherapy is a sub category of physiotherapy yet one that is highly specialised. Generally this form of physiotherapy focusses on movement based training to assist some of the movement planning difficulties associated with various neurological conditions. These condition include but are not limited to:

• Parkinson's Disease PD

• Multiple Sclerosis MS

• Motor Neurone Disease MND

• Stroke

• Acquired Brain Injury ABI

• Spinal Cord Injury

• Cerebral Palsy CP

With all neurological conditions one's deficits, limitations and difficulties are unique. Just because you have the same diagnosis as someone else does not mean that you will have the same physical capabilities as they do. As a result it is imperative that you undergo a thorough initial assessment to determine your limiting factors to ensure you can move forward with your therapist to achieve your goals.

Once the contributing factors causing your limitations are determined a personalised rehabilitation program is needed to be developed to target these. This treatment plan could include things like:

• Education & advice about symptom management, or appropriate assistive technology

• Strength & balance exercises

• Mobility or gait retraining

Movement based training, for learning & reinforcing new movement strategies

• Upper limb and hand rehabilitation

• Fatigue management

• Muscle tone and spasticity management

• Pain management

• Sourcing of appropriate equipment

Written By:

Tim Delvins

NDIS Physiotherapist