Neurological Physical Therapy: What Is It?

 What is Neurological Physical Therapy ?

The goal of neurological physical therapy is to help patients with neurological diseases that impair their quality of life and ability to move again by restoring their functional strength, balance, coordination, and mobility. Neurological physical therapy can slow the advancement and exacerbation of long-term neurological disorders or aid in the recovery from neurological injuries.

PT helping an old lady who is walking in parallel bars
Getty Images / Chee Gin Tan

Applications
The goal of neurological physical therapy is to maximise the functional abilities of patients suffering from disorders of the brain and spinal cord, such as Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Hospitals, private practice physical therapy clinics, physician offices, rehabilitation centres, and homes are among the settings in which neurological physical therapy is administered.

An Overview of the Procedure for Physical Therapy

If neurological physical therapy is required, you can receive treatment as an outpatient or as an inpatient. You spend the night in a facility like a hospital or rehabilitation centre while receiving inpatient therapy. Physical therapy clinics or hospital outpatient rehabilitation centres are the usual locations for outpatient treatment.

The degree to which your neurological disease requires physical therapy will determine whether you require inpatient or outpatient care.

Inpatient rehabilitation is frequently necessary for recently acquired neurological diseases like strokes or traumas like spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The patient can move on to outpatient physical therapy once they have sufficient strength, coordination, and independence for activities like standing and walking.

After your physical therapist has gathered enough information about your medical history during your initial evaluation, you will undergo a physical exam. Your therapist will assess your range of motion, reflexes, muscle tone in your arms and legs, and strength and coordination of your muscles.

We’ll also evaluate your general level of cognition, sensation, and attention to see if your neurological condition has affected any of these areas.1

The next step is for your physical therapist to evaluate your ability to make what are known as transfers — movements that include going from one position to another, as from standing to sitting or from laying down to sitting. Your therapist will record whether you require assistance or can complete these movements on your own.

Your initial evaluation will also involve an assessment of your balance, quality of gait (how you walk), and whether you require assistance from your physical therapist. Depending on the severity of your neurological disease, your therapist may give you an assistive device to help with walking or suggest that you buy one.

Your physical therapist may also perform neurological tests to examine your coordination, such as following moving objects with your eyes, touching your finger to your nose, and rapidly alternating movements.

Physical Therapy for Dizziness or Vertigo
If you have been experiencing dizziness or have been diagnosed with vertigo (the sensation that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning), you may be referred to a vestibular specialist, who will provide you with vestibular therapy. Parts of your inner ear and brain comprise your body’s vetibular system, which aids in controlling your balance and eye movements.

Unlike other types of neurological physical therapy, your treatment plan will be different since its goals will be to lessen your symptoms of vertigo and dizziness as well as increase your tolerance to activities and positions that typically exacerbate your symptoms.

You might get the following interventions in your neurological physical therapy sessions:

Gait training to increase your ability to walk, including adequate teaching on the use of assistive equipment such as crutches, canes, and walkers
Balance training to improve your static (stationary) and dynamic (while moving) balance, both sitting unsupported to improve your core control and standing upright with or without using handheld support
Therapeutic exercises to increase independence with bed mobility include rolling over and sitting up after lying down, as well as getting in and out of chairs, toilets, and beds.
Therapeutic muscle-stretching and strengthening exercises that enhance motor control and coordination
Endurance training with cardiovascular equipment like treadmills, stationary bicycles, and ellipticals
Vestibular therapy interventions to improve control of eye movements, balance exercises with head movements, and exercises to treat a common cause of dizziness (Dix-Hallpike and Epley maneuvers)
Conditions Treated
Neurological physical therapy can treat a variety of conditions, whether recently acquired or chronic. Some neurological conditions are progressive, getting worse over time, and require regular physical therapy and at-home exercises to maintain optimal well-being.

Physical therapy is an effective treatment for the following neurological conditions:

Strokes (loss of blood supply to the brain)
spinal cord injuries, which cause a portion of the central nervous system to be damaged and impair movement and sensation of control
Traumatic brain injuries (such as concussion)
A debilitating condition affecting the brain and spinal cord is multiple sclerosis.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition of the neurological system.
Cerebral palsy (a collection of impairments affecting mobility, balance, and posture)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease)
Guillain-Barre syndrome (an autoimmune disease attacking the nerves)
Polyneuropathies: When the peripheral nerves are damaged
dizziness, such as benign paroxysmal positional dizziness (BPPV)
EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation) and its Uses

Frequently Asked Questions

How does physical therapy help with neurological problems?
In order to help people with neurological disorders become more independent in their everyday tasks and movements, physical therapy helps them strengthen their weak muscles and improve their motor control, coordination, and balance.

Why would someone need neurological physical therapy?
A person would need neurological physical therapy after an injury or illness affecting the brain and spinal cord. Physical therapy helps people heal, regain their strength and movement, and increase their abilities to perform daily chores as they recover or as their illness advances. Neurological diseases can emerge suddenly, such as following an accident, or be progressive, such as with Parkinson’s disease.

What does a physical therapy neurological test assess?
A physical therapy neurological test assesses the synchronisation of body parts and motor control between the brain and muscles. This helps determine if the signals being sent to the brain are reaching the muscles quickly and efficiently and are functioning properly.

How can you become a neurological physical therapist?
After completing an approved physical therapy programme, all licenced physical therapists receive training in the management of neurological disorders. Anyone wishing to specialize in neurological physical therapy can pursue a specialty certification as a neurological clinical specialist (NCS). You must complete 2,000 hours of treatment with patients with neurological conditions and pass an additional board exam.

Summary
If you have problems with balance and mobility brought on by neurological conditions, neurological physical therapy can be helpful. The type of treatment you receive for this condition will determine whether you are an inpatient or outpatient. Participating in this type of physical therapy can help you maintain your independence even if your condition worsens and makes everyday movements more difficult.

A Word From Verywell
Neurological physical therapy can be incredibly beneficial for anyone who has been diagnosed with a neurological illness, whether recently acquired or chronic. Physical therapists work with patients to gain strength and functioning. You can enhance your quality of life by exercising to increase your mobility, become more independent, and require less help from others.