India has seen a rise in the population of patients who neuro physiotherapy need assistance due to diseases and disorders caused by age or accidents. According to the report published by All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, 18 lakh people suffer from a stroke in India, and it has seen a 100% increase in the past few decades.
Around 14% of the population consult doctors to get help with arthritis every year. A survey conducted in Bangalore South, in 2004, shows that 33 out of 1 lakh people have Parkinson’s disease. These patients would greatly benefit from neuro physiotherapy programs which helps enhance their rehabilitation process. Here’s how.
What Neuro Physiotherapy Is All About?
Neuro physiotherapy is a special branch of general physiotherapy where it focuses on rehabilitating patients who have neurological conditions. Trained neuro physiotherapists specialise in assessing and treating problems associated with the brain and the spinal cord, i.e. the central nervous system and the neuro-muscular system.
People suffering from neurological issues can experience numerous problems including spasm or muscle stiffness, tremor, poor balance, muscle weakness, issues with sensation and more. This could have a significant impact on their everyday activities, including walking, eating and getting dressed. Neuro physiotherapists help rehabilitate the body back to its normal movement and treat issues associated with neurological injuries.
This branch of physiotherapy helps reorient and treat neurological conditions such as functional neurological disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord and brain injury, arthritis, stroke and more.
How it Helps Stroke Victims
Stroke or cerebrovascular accident is a medical condition where the brain cells die unexpectedly due to the lack of oxygen supplied to the brain. A rupture or a blockage in the artery may decrease the blood flow to the brain, further leading to severe symptoms like weakness, numbness, paralysis in the face and limbs, headaches or dizziness. A person suffering from a stroke may also face discomfort, impaired vision, body balance and coordination.
Neuro physiotherapy helps victims recovering from the emergency to learn to use their bodies wholly and recoup their movement and strength as efficiently as possible. Physiotherapists work as a part of an interdisciplinary team to conduct a thorough assessment, treatment plan, therapy and evaluation. They administer standardised techniques such as massages, exercises, manipulation and skills training. The physiotherapeutic process focuses on maintaining the patient’s physical integrity and minimising complications that could hamper functional return. Reports show a 35% decrease in the risk of developing another stroke in people who received neuro physiotherapy and followed the suggested routine.
How it Helps Victims of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects people’s movement. People gradually develop slow and stiffened movement, a stooped posture, muscle rigidity, shaking, difficulty with balance, walking and coordination, and the condition worsens over time.
Neuro physiotherapists help such people with their physical mobility, posture, improvement of walking and turning, strength and fitness, balance and coordination. It is recommended to consult such physiotherapists during the early stage of the disease. They will provide valuation, education and advice, and suggestions on physical activity aimed to improve motor functioning.
The therapy and the exercises provided are tailored to the needs of the patients. They help in recovering free movement and make neurological changes that can help reduce the rate at which the disease progresses.
How it Helps Victims of Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA) are painful and chronic clinical conditions that lead to inflammation of the joints leading to disability, shortened life expectancy, and decline in the quality of life of an individual. This physical functional loss can be progressive or intermittent, but inevitable. As there is no curative therapy for people suffering from this disease, neuro physiotherapy helps with pain relief, prevent disability, increase functional capacity and provide patient education.
A functional assessment, muscular strength test, postural assessment and evaluation of joint motion range and respiratory function are carried out to understand the patient’s condition and map-out the therapeutic plan. The general rehabilitation techniques used include hot/cold applications, hydrotherapy, spa therapy, electric stimulation, rest, splinting, use of assistive devices, massage therapy, exercises, compression gloves and patient education.
Patients who have suffered from neurological disorders see significant improvement in their physical, psycho-social and clinical prognosis after undergoing this type of physiotherapy session. All hospitals that deal with the treatment of such disorders provide neuro physiotherapy facilities or education and information about the available rehabilitation options to improve the quality of life of the individual.
