Published on: 21st November 2021
Medically reviewed by: General Practitioner at First Response Healthcare
Medically reviewed by: General Practitioner at First Response Healthcare
While physiotherapy is used to help with an individual’s motor functions and movement of joints, muscles and tendons affected due to a disability, illness, or injury; Neurological Physiotherapy is a specialized branch that focuses on treatment of individuals with neurological conditions. While the goal of physiotherapy is to prevent deterioration by keeping muscles active and joints flexible; Neurological Physiotherapy aims to improve the functionality and mobility of patients who have suffered physical impairment due to neurological conditions.
Neurological disorders such as Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury and Parkinson’s affect the functioning of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neurological conditions can lead to loss of movement, sensation, coordination, and balance. Moreover, it can also affect other functions of the brain such as perception, speech, memory, and cognition. There is also the possibility of behavior being affected. These conditions can have a profound and crippling impact on one’s functioning and overall quality of life.
Table of Contents
- What Does a Neurological Physiotherapist Do?
- What Conditions Is Neurological Physiotherapy Used For?
- What Are the Treatment Interventions In Neurological Physiotherapy?
- What Does Neurological Physiotherapy Consist Of?
- What Are The Benefits of Neurological Physiotherapy?
- What To Expect When You Go For Your First Neurological Physiotherapy Appointment
- Why Physiotherapy At Home Is The Better Option
- Physiotherapy At Home In Dubai | First Response Healthcare
- Benefits of Home Physiotherapy Program by First Response
What Does a Neurological Physiotherapist Do?
Neurological physiotherapists are physiotherapists who have trained to treat neurological conditions. They have specialized experience, and they suggest interventions which can help an individual regain or maintain their maximum movement and functional independence. The neurological physiotherapist achieves this through development of new pathways by using the means of repetition and exercise. Neurological physiotherapists, in close partnership with their team of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, dietitian, nurses, doctors, etc work with patients to enhance their day to day functions through physiotherapy and better their everyday functionality and mobility.
What Conditions Is Neurological Physiotherapy Used For?
Any neurological condition that affects a person’s movement or physical ability to do things can be treated using neurological physiotherapy. Neurological disorders cause damage to the central nervous system and tend to cause the breakdown of pathways that carry nerve signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and organs. This leads to motor deficits, paralysis, tremor and spasm to ataxia or lack of sensation. Following are the conditions in which neurological physiotherapy is useful:
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain Injury/head Injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Bell’s palsy
Our Nervous System has two major halves, one is called the Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous System. There are times when due to an internal or external injury, the nerves get damaged. A range of conditions including degeneration, autoimmune disorders, blood flow disruption, etc can also cause neurological problems.
If you’re seeing any of the following signs and symptoms in yourself or a family member, you should consider visiting your nearest Neuro Specialist immediately:
- Persistent or sudden onset of a headache
- A headache that changes or is different
- Loss of feeling or tingling
- Weakness or loss of muscle strength
- Loss of sight or double vision
- Memory loss
- Impaired mental ability
- Lack of coordination
- Muscle rigidity
- Tremors and seizures
- Back pain that also moves to your feet, toes, or other parts of the body
- Muscle wasting and slurred speech
- New language impairment (expression or comprehension)
One might also face emotional symptoms because of neurological problems. These symptoms might include mood swings, sudden outbursts, depression, delusions, etc. It is important to note that these symptoms can be signs of other disorders or conditions too and thus it is important to consult a specialist to seek their advice.
What Are the Treatment Interventions In Neurological Physiotherapy?
A range of approaches, treatments and techniques are used as a part of neurological physiotherapy. These include:
- Stretching
- Strengthening
- Balance re-education
- Gait re-education
- Joint mobilization
- Electrical stimulation
- Postural exercise
- Spasticity management
- Advice/Education on lifestyle, fatigue management, and exercise
What Does Neurological Physiotherapy Consist Of?
The treatment plan for a patient is based on the specific needs of the patient. A neurological physiotherapist will create a tailor-made plan based on each patient’s requirement and their personalized goal-oriented target. For example, does a patient need help with learning to walk again or do smaller, finer movements need to be worked out. The physiotherapist charts out this plan after meeting the patient and assessing his/her condition.
Neurological physiotherapy is either conducted one-on-one – that is when the physiotherapist wants to improve the posture of the patient or help him stand, walk again. Sometimes moderate exercises or walking may be conducted in small groups to make the process more enjoyable for patients.
Neurological physiotherapy not just covers basic, tailored exercise to build strength and coordination, but depending on how severe the motor dysfunction is, options like limb positioning or splints may be prescribed by physiotherapists to help with joint recovery. The physiotherapist may also recommend walking frames or specialized wheelchairs, along with offering training to use them.
The neurological physiotherapist may teach you exercises that you may be required to repeat at home and at the clinic on a daily basis. This is to make sure that muscle tone and motor function does not deteriorate.
Neurological Physiotherapy is meant to help with loss of muscular functions, weakness, less stamina, a decrease in balance, and other physiological problems. Physiotherapy not just helps patients gain back their movement, strength, balance, or coordination but also their sense of confidence and independence.
What Are The Benefits of Neurological Physiotherapy?
Increased Strength: Physiotherapy involves muscle movement training which helps strengthen the muscles that have weakened because of your injury or condition. Moreover, physiotherapists may also work on enhancing muscle control, your range of motion along with managing or reducing spasticity, all of which increases your overall strength.
More Endurance: Through Gait training or re-training as a part of physiotherapy, you learn new effective and easy ways of walking differently, standing up or any other activities. Sometimes, based on your case and condition, your physiotherapist may also recommend mobility aids and teach you how to work with them. This can help with your balance, posture and movement which can also prove to be very useful.
Improved Balance: The physiotherapist will work with you for balance training which will improve your steadiness and confidence for daily activities like walking, etc. When balance improves, the risk of falls and related injuries comes down a lot and that is a very important part of the recovery process.
Some Other Benefits of Neurological Physiotherapy Include:
- Better and more optimized functioning of affected areas.
- Increased stamina
- Reduction in tension in affected muscles
- Reduces muscle contractions
- Gives relief from pain and inflammation
- Helps with posture correction
- Increased range of motion in joints
- Cardio, especially respiratory functions improve
- Helps you become more independent
- Enhances the quality of life of the patients
What To Expect When You Go For Your First Neurological Physiotherapy Appointment
Here’s what to expect at and post your appointment with a neuro physiotherapist:
You will undergo a physical evaluation and examination that will cover various tests along with information about your health history. The physiotherapist will also check your movement, flexibility, and posture.
Post this, you will get a clinical diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plan, along with short and long-term goals.
The physiotherapist will also take some time to explain what to expect going ahead, the risks involved, along with your expectations and needs.
Post this, you can start your physiotherapy session and you will receive physical therapy advice based on evaluation and diagnosis, along with suggestions and recommendations on how to best manage your condition.
Why Physiotherapy At Home Is The Better Option
Familiar & Comfortable Environment: Your home is the place that you are most familiar with and most comfortable at. Getting your physiotherapy treatment at home can help you be mentally relaxed and be focused on the treatment entirely without any other stressors or distractions. Over and above this, you are surrounded by family members and loved ones who can offer moral support and encouragement.
Saves Time, Cost & Effort: Having a physiotherapist visit you at home saves the time and cost of traveling to a clinic, hospital, or physiotherapy center. Traveling to and fro to the physiotherapy centre regularly can also feel draining and exhausting. Moreover, with the advent of the pandemic, getting treatment at home and avoiding places where you can get exposed to the COVID-19 virus is probably the safest option. Home physiotherapy is more time and cost effective as compared to other options.
Highly Personalized Care: When a physiotherapy visits you at home, it gives them a chance to understand your everyday surroundings and offer suggestions on how the functionality of the place that you spend most of your time in, can be improved to help you do better. Moreover, when the physiotherapist visits you at home for therapy, it allows them to build a more personalized connection and rapport that can aid with the recovery process.
Physiotherapy At Home In Dubai | First Response Healthcare
We understand that it is not always easy for everyone to visit a hospital or clinic for physiotherapy, and that’s why First Response Healthcare (FRH) provides specialized service of home physiotherapy in Dubai. Through our ‘Physiotherapy on Call’; Service, we provide in-home physiotherapy at a location of your choice. First Response Healthcare (FRH) is a leading home healthcare company in Dubai that offers neurological physiotherapy and a range of other medical services at your home, hotel or office based on your needs and requirements.
FRH provides high-quality, patient centered and comprehensive care through services that are prompt and reliable. Through a team of highly competent & DHA licensed doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and medical experts, FRH offers services 24*7, 365 days anywhere within the Emirate of Dubai. FRH has implemented international healthcare quality standards and has received the Gold Seal of Approval for meeting the Joint Commission International Standards for Home Healthcare. The staff at FRH is compassionate and considerate of the patient’s needs and always prioritizes their comfort and convenience.
Features That Make FRH Different:
Flexible Appointments: You can schedule your appointment at any time and on any day of the year. FRH offers its services 24*7, even on weekends and public holidays.
Quick Services: Our team can reach you within 30* minutes after you book an appointment
Flexible Appointments: You can schedule your appointment at any time and on any day of the year. FRH offers its services 24*7, even on weekends and public holidays.
Locations Covered: Entire Emirate of Dubai
Place of Your Convenience: Our team can offer services at your home, hotel, or office
Locations Covered: Entire Emirate of Dubai
First Response Physiotherapy team comprises highly trained, experienced, qualified, and licensed physiotherapists who are well equipped with portable equipment to provide physiotherapy at home. All our physiotherapists are licensed by the Dubai Health Authority and have good clinical experience. Through our services, you can get a physiotherapist to visit you at your home, hotel, or office. The physiotherapist will design a personalized and effective physiotherapy plan that will aim to improve your mobility, enhance your strength, and help you achieve independent functioning.
Benefits of Home Physiotherapy Program by First Response
Customized Services – Our physiotherapist will offer a treatment plan based on your needs and requirements.
One-on-One Attention – We make sure to take the time to listen to and understand your concerns and expectations before proceeding with therapy.
Flexible Appointments – We adapt to your schedule and come to you at a time and day of your choice.
Communicated Recovery Process – We make sure to keep you updated with Regular Progress Reports.
Relationship based Therapy – Our team is compassionate and considerate and makes sure to build personal connections that make the process easy and smooth for you.
In the Privacy & Comfort of Your Own Home – Your home is the place that you are most comfortable at. Getting your physiotherapy treatment at home can free you of all the stressors and distractions and can help you be mentally relaxed and be focused on the treatment.
Our Home physiotherapy program helps ensure continuity of care and facilitate the transition from hospital to home.
Our home physiotherapy Dubai program is tailored according to patient’s specific needs and includes the following:
- Strength Training
- Balance Training
- Therapeutic Massage and Exercises
- Muscle Imbalance Correction
- Posture Correction
- Neuro-developmental Therapy
If you or anyone you know can benefit from neurological physiotherapy, it is important that you reach out to a doctor to seek advice.
To avail their neurological physiotherapy services at home in Dubai, all you need to do is call on 0505050387 or 800DIALDOC. You can also book an online appointment by visiting Website