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.
Information
Stroke and other neurological conditions often affect the feeling, or sensory part of the nervous system. This means that the body may feel numb or not normal. Hands-on therapy gives information, through pressure, touch and manual guidance to help the nervous system learn to feel again.
Training
Physiotherapists are trained in using their hands. An experienced neurological physiotherapist will use their hands to re-align muscles and stabilise the body so that it can be more efficiently active when movement is difficult.
headsup! are a team of specialist neuro physiotherapists covering London and the South East. We are always happy to discuss individual requirements and explore suitability for treatment over the telephone. If you would like to talk to one of the team, just get in touch on 01306 888171.
My mother-in-law has Parkinson’s so a lot of what you posted has been helpful. I’ll have to share this info with the family. Also, I think it’s interesting where you mentioned that just telling someone to move speaks to the part of the brain that is responsible for movement and can itself be beneficial. Thanks for the helpful physiotherapy info.
Good to hear that our information has been helpful John. Auditory cueing, for example saying left foot, right foot when a person with Parkinson’s is walking can also be helpful. It is important that the instruction is given at the correct time for the action being performed, so that it re-inforces what is going on.