Physiotherapy is a healing procedure which uses methods such as massage, acupuncture, and exercise therapy to relieve pain and restore mobility. It is a physical form of therapy which applies the science of movement to help restore the original functionality the injured muscles and tissues. It also helps in treating underlying physical issues.
People often consider physiotherapy as a process which only focuses on pain relief and injury rehabilitation. What they are not aware of, is that it has a major role in providing treatment for neurological diseases. An Edmonton physical therapy clinic such as Emerald Hills Physio Clinic caters to patients suffering from similar ailments. Here are a few neurological diseases which have a treatment in physiotherapy:
Stroke
A stroke occurs when there is a disruption to the flow of blood in the brain. It is generally a result of a blockage or leakage in a blood vessel. A person suffering from stroke may experience reduced mobility, lack of sensation, difficulty in swallowing, fatigue, paralysis on one side of the body and post-stroke pain. It is recommended to start physiotherapy immediately after suffering from a stroke.
With the help of physiotherapy, the balance and the agility of a patient improves. Their muscular strength increases and the risk of fall decreases. With physiotherapy, their normal pattern of movement can be retrained and recovered.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy is a condition affecting the brain tissues caused by damage to the brain before, during and after the childbirth. It generally occurs at an early age and affects the development of a child. There are 3 types of cerebral palsy - Spastic, Athetoid and Ataxic. Major symptoms observed in all three stages are abnormal posture and unstable movement, which is treatable through physiotherapy.
By taking a regular session with a qualified physiotherapist, the patient’s stability during walking, rolling and crawling increases. The patient’s control of the head, arm, and leg also improves. It also strengthens their weakened muscles and restores strength.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative condition with affects the central nervous system and has an adverse impact on the motor skills. The patient also suffers from memory problems, tremors and reduced mobility.
Physiotherapy for Parkinson’s Disease focuses on increasing the mobility in patients while reducing the risk of falls and accidents. Exercises to strengthen the muscles and increase balance are also incorporated to enhance the patient’s quality of life.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries generally occur when the spine undergoes a trauma. The intensity of a spinal injury depends on the level of trauma suffered by the patient. These injuries lead to loss of bladder control, voluntary movement, and sensation in the area below the spinal cord.
With proper physiotherapy exercises and joint care, the effect of spinal injury can be reduced. With regular treatment, patient’s muscle strength and independence increases. There is a visible decrease in the pain, muscle spasms, and stiffness.
Muscular Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis causes muscle spasms throughout the body. The patients generally experience extreme tiredness, fatigue, cognitive impairment and visual disturbance.
Various physiotherapy techniques such as exercise therapy are used to treat muscular sclerosis. These exercises help in improving balance and reduce difficulties in walking.
Physiotherapy is not a complete cure for neurological diseases. It is a treatment which helps in controlling the symptoms and restoring maximum mobility to the muscles. To gain the utmost benefit from your physiotherapy treatment, it is recommended to get it done by a skilled therapist from a reputed Edmonton physical therapy clinic.