Physical therapy for Neurological Disorders
Fighting Back Against Neurologic Disorders
Whether you are newly diagnosed with a neurologic condition or have been living with one for some time, you may be curious as to how physical therapy for neurologic disorders may help you. Though in most cases physical therapy is not able to stop or cure the condition affecting the nervous system, it has been shown to be highly effective in managing the effects that many of these conditions have on the body which leads to improved overall function and quality of life, despite having this condition.
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEUROLOGIC SYSTEM
The neurologic system is a continuous network of nerves beginning in the brain and traveling through the spinal canal and out to all of the tissues of the body. The nerves that reside within the brain and the spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The nerves that extend from the brain and spinal cord and travel to all the other areas of the body are known as the peripheral nervous system.
In general, nerves are carrying either outgoing motor information to tell a muscle in the body to contract or incoming sensory information about how the body is moving, what it is feeling and how it is interacting with the outside world. Some of these nerves are under conscious control while others are under automatic and unconscious control. An example of nerves under conscious control would be the nerves that supply motor to the hand. In a healthy hand you can open and close the hand and move the fingers around as you desire. On the other hand, the nerves that control the beating of the heart are under involuntary control though you may be able to speed up and slow down your heart a bit through certain actions like taking slow deep breaths.
HOW DO INJURIES OR DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AFFECT THE BODY?
The body and all of its functions are mapped out within the central nervous system. We know generally which areas of the brain and spinal cord correlate with which body areas and bodily functions. This is important both because it can help diagnose neurologic conditions but also because it allows medical professionals to predict what kind of difficulties or symptoms a person may experience based on which part of the nervous system is affected or injured. Similarly, the peripheral nerves each innervate different areas of the body and play different roles in its function so the presence of specific symptoms can give a clue as to which nerve may be affected.
Because the nervous system is responsible for everything the body does and experiences, symptoms of a neurologic disorder can be wide ranging but certain neurologic disorders tend to present in specific ways depending on what part of the nervous system they are impacting. Here are some of the body systems that may be affected by a neurologic disorder and how it may present:
Visual System: changes or worsening of vision, double vision, loss of peripheral vision
Auditory and Vestibular System: changes in hearing, tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo or loss of balance
Musculoskeletal System: Alterations in muscle strength and flexibility and overtime changes in bone density
Neuromuscular System: Changes in coordination and motor control, alterations in muscle tone, losses of balance
Language: the ability to speak and understand simple and complex language
Sensory System: loss or alterations in light touch, sharp/dull, temperature and pain sensations
Because these conditions can affect so many body systems, symptoms common to neurologic disorders include muscle weakness, impaired sensation, pain, fatigue, poor balance, difficulty walking and difficulty performing mobility tasks and activities of daily living.
WHAT NEUROLOGIC CONDITIONS CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ADDRESS?
Some of the neurologic conditions that would benefit from physical therapy treatment are:
Stroke
Dizziness
Brain injury or concussion
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Cerebral Palsy
Peripheral neuropathy
Huntington’s Disease
Guillain Barre
General impairments in balance
Multiple Sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Peripheral nerve injury
Ataxia
Dysautonomia
This is not an exhaustive list, however, and there are other neurologic disorders that physical therapists also treat!
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR NEUROLOGIC DISORDERS
A physical therapist experienced in working with neurologic injuries and disorders has extensive knowledge of the nervous system. They have also studied the different neurologic conditions and injuries and know what the research tells them is the most effective way to address these conditions. While a physical therapy program should be individualized to meet your specific needs, there exist some common goals of physical therapy for neurologic disorders.
By addressing muscle weakness, pain, range of motion limitations, balance issues, coordination and motor control impairments, physical therapy aims to:
Maximize your mobility (walking or wheeled) including such things as reducing the amount of physical support you need, increasing the distance you can travel without a break and improving your confidence.
Help improve independence with daily tasks in the home, at work and in the community
Reduce your risk for falls
Help you develop an appropriate regular exercise and fitness program to reduce your risk for secondary chronic diseases that may develop in response to decreased exercise and increased sedentary behaviors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease
Empower you to live your life to the fullest despite having a neurologic disorder
Ensure the equipment, orthotics, bracing and assistive devices you have meet your needs and help you meet your functional goals
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE PROACTIVE IN YOUR CARE
If you have noticed that your function is being negatively impacted by a neurologic disorder, ask your doctor for a referral to physical therapy or if you live in a state where you can access physical therapy directly, you can schedule an appointment today! At Evolve PT we have therapists who specialize in working with these conditions and are looking forward to working with you on your goals.
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About EvolveNY-
Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics- There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of biomechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!
First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.
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