Whether you are newly diagnosed with a neurologic condition or have been living with one for some time, you may be curious as to how physical therapy f

1. FIGHTING BACK AGAINST NEUROLOGIC DISORDERS
Whether you are newly diagnosed with a
neurologic condition or have been living
with one for some time, you may be
curious as to how physical therapy for
neurologic disorders may help you.
Though in most cases physical therapy is
not able to stop or cure the condition
affecting the nervous system, it has been
shown to be highly effective in managing
the effects that many of these conditions
have on the body which leads to
improved overall function and quality of
life, despite having this condition.
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT TH E
N EU ROLOGIC S YS TEM
The neurologic system is a continuous
network of nerves beginning in the brain and traveling through the spinal canal and out
to all of the tissues of the body. The nerves that reside within the brain and the spinal
cord make up the central nervous system. The nerves that extend from the brain and
spinal cord and travel to all the other areas of the body are known as the peripheral
nervous system.
In general, nerves are carrying either outgoing motor information to tell a muscle in the
body to contract or incoming sensory information about how the body is moving, what
it is feeling and how it is interacting with the outside world. Some of these nerves are
under conscious control while others are under automatic and unconscious control. An
example of nerves under conscious control would be the nerves that supply motor to
the hand. In a healthy hand you can open and close the hand and move the fingers
around as you desire. On the other hand, the nerves that control the beating of the
heart are under involuntary control though you may be able to speed up and slow down
your heart a bit through certain actions like taking slow deep breaths.
H OW DO IN JU RIES OR DIS ORDERS OF TH E N ERVOU S S YS TEM AFFECT TH E
BODY?
The body and all of its functions are mapped out within the central nervous system. We
know generally which areas of the brain and spinal cord correlate with which body
areas and bodily functions. This is important both because it can help diagnose
neurologic conditions but also because it allows medical professionals to predict what
kind of difficulties or symptoms a person may experience based on which part of the
nervous system is affected or injured. Similarly, the peripheral nerves each innervate
different areas of the body and play different roles in its function so the presence of
specific symptoms can give a clue as to which nerve may be affected.
Because the nervous system is responsible for everything the body does and
experiences, symptoms of a neurologic disorder can be wide ranging but certain
neurologic disorders tend to present in specific ways depending on what part of the
nervous system they are impacting. Here are some of the body systems that may be
affected by a neurologic disorder and how it may present:
Visual System: changes or worsening of vision, double vision, loss of peripheral vision
JANUARY 17, 2023
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR NEUROLOGICAL
DISORDERS
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2. Auditory and Vestibular System: changes in hearing, tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo or loss
of balance
Musculoskeletal System: Alterations in muscle strength and flexibility and overtime
changes in bone density
Neuromuscular System: Changes in coordination and motor control, alterations in
muscle tone, losses of balance
Language: the ability to speak and understand simple and complex language
Sensory System: loss or alterations in light touch, sharp/dull, temperature and pain
sensations
Because these conditions can affect so many body systems, symptoms common to
neurologic disorders include muscle weakness, impaired sensation, pain, fatigue, poor
balance, difficulty walking and difficulty performing mobility tasks and activities of daily
living.
WH AT N EU ROLOGIC CON DITION S CAN PH YS ICAL TH ERAPY ADDRES S ?
Some of the neurologic conditions that would benefit from physical therapy treatment
are:
• Stroke
• Dizziness
• Brain injury or concussion
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Alzheimer’s and Dementia
• Spinal cord injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Huntington’s Disease
• Guillain Barre
• General impairments in balance
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Peripheral nerve injury
• Ataxia
• Dysautonomia
This is not an exhaustive list, however, and there are other neurologic disorders that
physical therapists also treat!
PH YS ICAL TH ERAPY FOR N EU ROLOGIC DIS ORDERS
A physical therapist experienced in working with neurologic injuries and disorders has
extensive knowledge of the nervous system. They have also studied the different
neurologic conditions and injuries and know what the research tells them is the most
effective way to address these conditions. While a physical therapy program should be
individualized to meet your specific needs, there exist some common goals of physical
therapy for neurologic disorders.
By addressing muscle weakness, pain, range of motion limitations, balance issues,
coordination and motor control impairments, physical therapy aims to:
• Maximize your mobility (walking or wheeled) including such things as reducing the
amount of physical support you need, increasing the distance you can travel
without a break and improving your confidence.
• Help improve independence with daily tasks in the home, at work and in the
community
• Reduce your risk for falls
• Help you develop an appropriate regular exercise and fitness program to reduce
your risk for secondary chronic diseases that may develop in response to
decreased exercise and increased sedentary behaviors including high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease
• Empower you to live your life to the fullest despite having a neurologic disorder
• Ensure the equipment, orthotics, bracing and assistive devices you have meet
your needs and help you meet your functional goals
AN OPPORTU N ITY TO BE PROACTIVE IN YOU R CARE
If you have noticed that your function is being negatively impacted by a neurologic
disorder, ask your doctor for a referral to physical therapy or if you live in a state where
you can access physical therapy directly, you can schedule an appointment today! At
Evolve PT we have therapists who specialize in working with these conditions and are
looking forward to working with you on your goals.
Click here to find out more information about physical therapy for neurological disorders

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