Neurological Treatments
This profession is often called upon to investigate causes of headaches and migraines and ensure there is nothing seriously wrong with the patient before other modes of treatment are pursued. Often a Neurologist will have tests performed to investigate a patient's head-pain, such as C-T scans and M.R.I's; and these will give a good picture of most serious problems. Your Neurologist may also perform other tests as part of the diagnostic routine and eventually provide a diagnosis, for which he/she may make certain recommendations and/or prescribe medications.
Neurologists will also help to recognise other areas that may need further treatment or investigating, and refer to the appropriate expert(s).
Gait Re-training
Gait is all of the different components that make up the activity of walking. Re-training gait focuses on helping a person develop the easiest and most effective strategies for walking. Treatment to re-train gait involves:
- improving or preventing injuries
- developing gait strategies to increase stability and speed of walking
- developing strategies that can help people to adapt to different walking surfaces and different activities
If a person can walk easier and safer, they will usually be able to do more activities, independently. This will make the person happier and healthier, and therefore increase their quality of life.
Balance Re-training
Many people lose a significant amount of balance as they get older. This loss of balance can cause people to fall and break arms, legs, hips, or their back. Some elderly people are afraid of falling because they do not feel as steady on their feet. Because of this fear they may not want to leave their house and therefore may become immobile. This immobility can lead to many other health problems as well as a poor quality of life. Some injuries or illnesses that may cause balance problems are:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson's Disease
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Concussion
- Joint Injuries
There is a lot of research being done which focuses on physical therapy treatment to re-train balance. An exercise program with stretching, strengthening, walking, and balance exercises can help to increase balance in people with balance problems. Physical therapists can assess people's balance problems and make an exercise program that can increase the individual's steadiness.
Mobility Aids
Mobility aids are used to help people get to where they want to go. Mobility aids can improve your posture and your balance and can help you move in the most efficient way possible. These effects can help to increase your independence and improve your overall quality of life. Some mobility aids are walkers, crutches, canes, and wheelchairs.
It is important to have a physical therapist assess your mobility problems and decide whether or not a mobility aid could benefit you. If needed, a physical therapist can choose the best mobility aid to help your problem and teach you the proper way to use it. If the mobility aid is not used properly, it will not be as helpful as it should be. In some cases, a mobility aid used wrong can actually be harmful to your joints and could increase your risk of falling.
Hydro-Therapy
Hydrotherapy is a physical therapy treatment that takes place in a heated pool. Patients are individually assessed by a physical therapist, and if hydrotherapy can benefit their medical condition, they are entered into an exercise program designed for the pool and supervised by a physical therapist. Some hydrotherapy programs are in a group setting and some are individually conducted.
Moving in water can be easier than moving on land. The buoyancy of the water, as well as the warmth of the hydrotherapy pool, helps to decrease muscle stiffness, spasms and pain. Hydrotherapy programs are used for people with many medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson's Disease, and Stroke. It is also used as a cardiovascular exercise to improve overall fitness and health, to increase the range and strength of joints and muscles, and as a relaxation exercise.
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