Physical Therapy Can Help Manage Neurological Conditions

If you’re dealing with neurological conditions, you know firsthand how it affects your life. Your movement may be affected, your quality of life may be lower, and you may not be able to work as independently as you would like.

Fortunately, support is available: physical therapy.

The aim of physical therapy for neurological conditions is to recover as much function as possible and help you regain as much mobility as you can so you are able to move about more freely. We hope that our patients take comfort in the fact that they will receive care from top specialists in Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Dauphin, Shrewsbury, and Hershey, PA.

Physical therapists at Madden & Gilbert Physical Therapy are trained experts when it comes to mobility problems due to injury or nervous system disorders. Our experts will evaluate your condition and establish the best treatment plan for your needs.

For more information on how our Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Dauphin, Shrewsbury, or Hershey, PA physical therapy services can benefit your condition and help you learn to manage a neurological condition, request an appointment today!

What kinds of neurological conditions are three?

There are a variety of neurological disorders. These kinds of conditions influence the ways in which a person is about to comfortably move. Their muscle coordination may be seriously impaired and in many cases, they may not be able to function independently.

A few common neurological conditions are as follows:

Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in adults. Madden & Gilbert Physical Therapy can help relieve the effects of a stroke by working to improve balance, walking, and the use of assistive devices.

Common therapies for post-stroke rehabilitation include:

  • Constraint-induced movement therapy
  • Motor image
  • Partial body weight support
  • Neurotherapy techniques (Biofeedback)
  • Functional electrical stimulation

Biofeedback is a form of neurological therapy that helps increase understanding of muscle function and how it may need to be improved. This is achieved by adding electrodes to the skin to measure muscle activity on the screen.

After a stroke, our physical therapists in Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Dauphin, Shrewsbury, and Hershey, PA will help you recover your functional skills so that you can get back to life as normally as possible.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain’s nerve cells. Commonly experienced symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include extreme tremors, slurred speech, and unusual, uncontrollable facial expressions.

Fortunately, physical therapy can help delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease and help to alleviate symptoms. It also helps improve flexibility and strength by addressing a variety of issues that Parkinson’s disease can cause, including irregular gait, freezing, and dystonia.

ALS

ALS is a progressive neurological disease. It stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and normally occurs in the hands, legs, and extremities before spreading to the central part of the body.

People who develop ALS normally face a challenge with walking first,  as they can sometimes fall over or lose their balance. Frequent muscle cramps or weakness in the hands or legs are also common.

As ALS spreads across the body, it can influence the way a person uses their extremities, speaks, swallows, and even breathes.

Unfortunately, at this moment, there is no treatment for ALS. However, the aim of our recovery team is to help preserve function and independence for as long as possible.

Madden & Gilbert Physical Therapy also focuses on the prevention of secondary complications (such as injuries associated with falling) by providing protection and adaptation information while using assistive devices.

Our physical therapists may prescribe the use of supportive equipment, such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, braces, and other aids, as the disease progresses.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder that affects the brain and the spinal cord. Typical signs of multiple sclerosis are pressure, fatigue, and exhaustion. If it progresses, this disease may be crippling. Fortunately, physical therapy will help treat and reduce these effects if you are struggling with this illness.

In addition to being presented with guidance on the proper use of assistive devices, you can work with our Madden & Gilbert Physical Therapy therapists on exercises to assist with balance and movement.

Our Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Dauphin, Shrewsbury, and Hershey, PA physical therapist will provide you with tailored stretches to alleviate muscle spasms and to improve strength and range of motion with targeted exercises. For patients with multiple sclerosis, we want to maintain as much comfortable movement as possible.

Neurotherapy and physical therapy

Neurotherapy is a non-invasive type of treatment that analyzes the behavior of the brain to assess if it can be improved to help enhance function. It recognizes the areas of the brain that require improvement, and then physical therapy helps to strengthen those areas.

An EEG is used with neurotherapy to assess brain activity and create ‘brain maps.’ Physical therapists and neurological therapists work closely together in order to create the best possible treatment plan for each patient.

Your strength will improve,  you’ll be able to perform targeted tasks, and recover your independence much faster by engaging in physical therapy sessions following a neurological injury.

Ready to get started with treatment?

Are you dealing with any of these conditions, and finding it hard to maintain a sense of independence in your everyday life? Know that you don’t have to go down this path alone. If you are suffering from a neurological disorder that limits you from living the life you want to live, don’t hesitate to Contact Us Today at Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Dauphin, Shrewsbury & Hershey, PA Centers for physical therapy today.

Our physical therapists at Madden & Gilbert Physical Therapy work closely with neurological specialists to offer the best possible care for you. If you make an appointment to speak with one of our dedicated physical therapists, you will find out how we can better treat your symptoms and help you achieve your physical goals.