Every patient is an individual, we take the time to assess each patient not only at the first session but also throughout the duration of treatment, and to ensure the programme we develop is right for each patient and their circumstances.
At initial enquiries and consultations we are often asked, what are 5 areas a neurological physiotherapist may work on with people with Parkinson’s:
5 reasons early neurological physiotherapy is important for Parkinson’s
We must remember that a positive difference can be made to people who have lived with Parkinson’s for a number of years. But the question we are regularly asked is, why early neurology physiotherapy is so important?
1. When presented with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s most people will have questions which they would like to put to a knowledgeable professional experienced in the field.
ACPIN 2016 Conference Round-up
Three members of the heads up! specialist neurological physiotherapy team attended the recent ACPIN (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology) two-day conference in London, in association with INPA (International Neurological Physical Therapy Association).
The event brought together experts from across the globe, in neurological physiotherapy, rehabilitation and research. We have pulled together the key points, from a selection of the programme speakers:
Can you put a time on stroke recovery?
Stroke recovery is a highly individual process, which depends on many different things. The severity of the stroke and location of the area of damage in the brain will all have an effect on the recovery time.
Initially, the biochemistry of the brain is disrupted by the stroke. Over a period of days and weeks things settle down and the initial shock wears off.
Hands-on neurological physiotherapy at heads up!
We offer individual and specialised neurological physiotherapy treatment. Helping each patient work towards improving their movement and confidence, following a stroke or neurological condition such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, vestibular dysfunction and adults who were born with cerebral palsy.
Why hands-on physiotherapy matters
3 reasons hands-on neurological physiotherapy treatment helps recovery of control of movement after stroke.
Working together
People who have had strokes or have other neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s or balance disorders often find moving around difficult. Movement may be weak and limited, slow or lack co-ordination. Simply telling people to move, talks to the part of their brain which is responsible for producing movement. This part may not be communicating clearly with the other parts of the nervous system, which are responsible for actually doing movements. This may mean that movements are simply not able to be initiated without a little help.
During hands-on physiotherapy treatment the neurological physiotherapist and person receiving treatment work together, so that the patient can again feel how to move with more control and less effort.
3 tips: improving the quality of your standing practice (advanced)
This is part of our series of tips to reduce time sitting after stroke and practice standing. Visit our website for more tips. Before carrying out any of the exercises in our blogs please read the important note below*
1. Create a checklist
Have a checklist in your head about the quality of your standing. The aim is a good posture, which allows a relaxed standing position, with weight evenly distributed on both feet and the back in a neutral position.
3 tips: improving the quality of your standing practice (intermediate)
This is part of our series of tips to reduce time sitting after stroke and practice standing. Visit our website for more tips. Before carrying out any of the exercises in our blogs please read the important note below*
1. Standing and using your arms
Think about HOW you stand up. Ideally weight should be evenly distributed on both feet and although using hands on the arms of a chair is something we would often do, if we take a lot of weight through the hands to push up then we are not asking the legs to work as hard as they might, so we may miss out on opportunities to strengthen the legs.
3 tips: Increasing the time you spend in standing
This is part of our series of tips to reduce time sitting after stroke and practice standing. Visit our website for more tips. Before carrying out any of the exercises in our blogs please read the important note below*
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Identify a daily activity
Identify an activity you can do in standing as you become more confident on your feet. Examples of this may be brushing your teeth, washing your hands or brushing your hair.
3 tips: improving the quality of your standing practice (introduction)
This is part of our series of tips to reduce time sitting after stroke and practice standing. Visit our website for more tips. Before carrying out any of the exercises in our blogs please read the important note below*
1. Foot control
If you are able to move your feet forwards and backwards with reasonable control, then do this a few times with each foot if possible, whilst you are sitting down, before you get ready to stand. This warms up the leg muscles and gets them ready for action.
3 tips: preparing for standing practice (intermediate)
This is part of our series of tips to reduce time sitting after stroke and practice standing. Visit our website for more tips. Before carrying out any of the exercises in our blogs please read the important note below*
1. Slow breathing
Take three slow deep breaths, sitting up as tall as you can, as you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Do this five times.
Is your Mum, Dad or a relative in hospital after a recent stroke?
The early days after having a stroke are often very tiring and people who have had stroke and are in hospital may find it difficult to sleep well. Taking in your Mum or Dad’s pillow from home may help them to get comfortable.
After having a stroke, people may have difficulty swallowing. A speech and language therapist will assess the ability to swallow and advise on management. Physiotherapists in hospital will assess movement and sensation and balance and advise on the best ways to move around. Getting back on your feet is very important as early as possible after stroke.
3 tips: preparing for standing practice an introduction
This is part of our series of tips to reduce time sitting after stroke and practice standing. Visit our website for more tips. Before carrying out any of the exercises in our blogs please read the important note below*
1. Breathing
Take three slow deep breaths, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Pause for a minute or so and then repeat.
Headsup Patients Christmas Party
Great to see some current and past patients with their family and friends at the local village hall for our annual festive party. Thanks for coming and creating such a jolly atmosphere.
Has your Mum or Dad just had a stroke?
If your Mum or Dad has had a stroke, especially around the busy family Christmas period, and is in hospital, you may feel unsure as to what you can do to help. Stroke happens suddenly and changes peoples lives.
Approximately 152,000 people have strokes in the UK each year and more than one million people in the UK are living with stroke (Stroke Association 2013).
Festive meals & family gatherings: 3 tips on how to reduce time sitting after stroke
This blog is part of our series of tips on how to reduce time sitting after stroke. Visit our website for more tips. Before carrying out any of the exercises in our blogs please read the important note below*
1. Get involved
Whilst the Christmas meal is being prepared, try to get close to the action so that you can, for example, stand up whilst the potatoes are being peeled, or whilst the table is being laid.
Shopping and other outings: 3 tips on how to reduce time sitting after stroke
This blog is part of our series of tips on how to reduce time sitting after stroke. Visit our website for more tips. Before carrying out any of the exercises in our blogs please read the important note below*
1. Set an alarm
If you need a wheelchair when you are out shopping or for longer distances, then set a phone alarm to remind you every hour to stand up and have a good stretch.
Why is spending time standing up important?
Humans are bipedal creatures. We have evolved so that we can stand up and balance on our feet and use our hands for an enormous variety of tasks.
Initially hunting, gathering, tending, nurturing and feeding would all have been vital skills. Today we use our hands with a slightly different emphasis – for example the skills of grooming and intricate tool use receive more attention, as well as pushing the correct buttons on a remote control.
Building up average standing time: 3 tips on how to reduce time sitting after stroke
This blog is part of our series of tips on how to reduce time sitting after stroke. Visit our website for more tips. Before carrying out any of the exercises in our blogs please read important note*
1. Timing an everyday task
If you stand to brush your teeth, wash your face or do any personal grooming activity, time yourself in standing and record it over one week.
Making a start: 3 tips on how to reduce time sitting after stroke
This blog is part of our series of tips on how to reduce time sitting after stroke. Visit our website for more tips. Before carrying out any of the exercises in our blogs please read important note*
1. Somewhere safe, where you can be confident
Find somewhere to stand up where you feel confident and safe to do so. Always having a chair or stool behind you so that you can sit down when you have had enough is ideal. Safe places might be in front of the basin in your bathroom, with a stool or chair behind you, or standing at the kitchen sink or in the kitchen facing a corner worktop with a chair behind. Standing at the bottom of the stairs where you can hold on to the bannisters may also be a good place.