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STROKE HEAD INJURIES SPINAL CORD INJURIES PARKINSON’S DISEASE
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS POST POLIO SYNDROME
HUNTINGTON’S CHOREA AMYTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS)
All neurological conditions or injuries vary considerably in presentation, response to medication and therapy, symptoms, long term implications and pathology. However, what they all do have in common, is each, in its own way, has a significant impact on movement and function.
 Depending on how the nervous system is affected, muscles can become hypertonic (spastic as in some stroke victims), hypotonic (floppy, lacking muscle tone as in some spinal cord lesions), very rigid (tight as in Parkinson’s disease), or have uncontrolled movements (chorea as in Huntington’s Chorea). Neurological conditions can be traumatic (spinal cord lesions), inherited (Huntington’s Chorea), delayed onset from a previous virus (Post Polio), result form other medical problems (stroke is cause by cardio vascular problems) or have defined cause (MS/ALS).
Physiotherapists are highly skilled in working with all neurological conditions. Abnormal movements and muscle tone need to be inhibited, tight muscles and soft tissue need to be stretched to prevent contractures, healthy normal muscle needs to be strengthened, and gait patterns need to be retrained and most important, our clients need to self manage these conditions in order to live a fulfilling life.
If appropriate rehabilitation is received, recent research demonstrates recovery from stroke, head injuries and spinal cord injuries may continue for years following the initial onset.
Ongoing or intermittent physiotherapy may be beneficial to maximize a person’s functional level and advise caregivers on management of home exercise programs.  Regular on going physiotherapy can assist in maintaining function and prevent caregiver burn out.
Physiotherapy can prevent the onset of secondary problems such as osteoperosis in stroke patients, respiratory infections in spinal cord and ALS patients, muscle contractures in post polio and MS clients and constantly reinforce cuing techniques for the Parkinson’s client. Statistical evidence shows that the majority of hip fractures resulting from falls in Canadians occur in people with pre-existing medical conditions. i.e. in the affected hip of the stroke patient or from the “freezing” of someone with Parkinson’s. Both these populations are predisposed to osteoperosis from disuse so the bones gradually become more fragile.
Some techniques are used to fascilitate a specific movement response and other techniques we use to inhibit unwanted movement that prevents functional activities and contribute to unsafe gait patterns and falls.
Physiotherapists are trained these neurological disorders and teach patients and families to manage these chronic conditions.
Access At Home Physiotherapy has been very successful in providing clients with complex neurological problems valuable rehabilitation services in their own home. Through this intervention, we have assisted people to maximize their independence so they can stay safely at home and out of an institutional setting. Many of our clients have surpassed physical expectations in functional status and strength gain. Neurological diseases/conditions cannot be cured but they can certainly be managed and the individual can learn to control specific movements or weaknesses to lead a fulfilling life.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME USEFUL WEB SITES
icord.org
mssociety.ca
parkinson.ca
obia.on.ca
heartandstroke.com
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