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Patient Education

2018-04-11
How Can Physiotherapy Help Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Sherwood Park PhysioPhysiotherapy is a science of providing treatment, rehabilitation, and relief from some major muscle and nerve related ailments. There are a number of such ailments for which physiotherapy can be a good alternative treatment method. One such ailment is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS affects the motor neurons that help you to perform general voluntary muscle actions such are moving your legs, arms and facial muscles. These motor neurons are situated in your spinal cord and brain. With the progression of ALS, these cells die and the patient loses control over voluntary movements due to muscle wastage.

While physiotherapy is not a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, it does help a patient suffering from ALS in the following ways.

  1. With the help of physiotherapy, an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient can be guided by stretching exercise that will make the muscles and joints supple.

  2. Sherwood Park Physio professional has the knowledge to manage pain caused by such ailments. Such a professional will help the patient to manage the pain caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

  3. Apart from assisting in necessary stretches and exercises, a physiotherapist will be able to help an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient get some amount of independence by teaching them to use mobility aids.

  4. A physiotherapist knows how to take care of patients who have movement difficulty. They can impart knowledge to the near and dear ones of the patient on how to assist them in getting out of bed or moving around.

  5. A physiotherapist helps ALS patients in minimizing secondary complications such as choking and pneumonia.

  6. With the help of physical therapy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients are taught techniques to breathe and keep the lungs clear from congestions.

  7. Apart from general disease management, physical therapy helps in relaxing an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient and reducing their anxiety.

  8. A physiotherapist knows the amount of strength to apply in order to avoid causing any hurt to the patient.

  9. Since the motor neurons are affected in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a patient becomes more prone to falling and accidents. A physiotherapist prevents this by rectifying the alignment problems of a patient through exercises.

  10. A physiotherapist is able to provide neurorehabilitation to the patients. 

With the help of physiotherapy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients can experience an improved quality of life. The kind of techniques taught by a physiotherapist not only helps an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient to feel independent but also confident to lead a better life.