Parkinson's is a condition which is caused by interruption to the dopamine producing neurons in the brain. The disease affects both movement and mood.

Key condition features:

• Slowness of movement

• Muscle rigidity

• Instability and falls

• Tremor

• Depression and anxiety

Physiotherapy principles:

• Big movement

• Fast movement

• Balance and coordination retraining

• Dual Task exercise

• Mobility specific tasks

Huntington's disease is a progressive neurological illness which is caused by abnormal coding of a protein called huntingtin. Symptoms will affect individuals cognition, movement and mood.

Key condition features:

• Uncontrolled motor movement (Chorea)

• Instability and falls

• Muscle deconditioning

• Cognition changes

• Mood changes

Key Physiotherapy principles:

• Develop strategies to manage energy expenditure

• Mobility assessment and strategies

• Falls prevention

• Functional capacity maximisation

• Assistive technology prescription

Stroke is caused when there is interruption to the blood flow to the brain. A stroke is named ischaemic when there is a blocked artery causing the disruption, or haemmorhagic when there is a burst blood vessel causing a bleed to the brain tissue.

Commonly condition features:

• Hemiparesis, or single sided weakness

• Altered sensation

• Altered proprioception

• Muscle contracture

• Speech and swallow changes

• Vision changes

Key Physiotherapy principles:

• Dependant on client goals and individual symptoms

• Mobility training

• Balance retraining (sitting or standing)

• Strengthening exercises

• Mobility aid prescription

• Adaptive technology introduction

Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term given to a group of conditions caused by injury to the developing brain.

Common condition features include:

• Tone

• Muscle control

• Coordination

• Balance

• Posture

Key Physiotherapy principles:

• Sleep systems and prolonged positioning protocols

• Hydrotherapy

• Respiratory care

• Seating considerations - for wheelchair, commode and day chairs

• Skin integrity

Acquired brain injury is the term given to any injury to the brain occurring after birth. Causes can include trauma, tumour, infection, toxin, and hypoxia.

Keys condition features:

• Fatigue

• Vestibular issues (such as dizziness)

• Altered muscular tone

• Coordination and balance concerns

• Cognitive changes

Key Physiotherapy Principles:

• Strength training

• Balance and coordination training

• Cardiovascular endurance training

• Multidisciplinary tone management

Motor Neurone Disease is a a disease which impacts the ability for the muscles to receive messages from the brain. Over time muscles waste impacting on individuals ability to participate in daily activity.

This condition can affect:

• Lower limb muscles, and the ability to mobilise or transfer

• Upper limb muscles, including the hands

• Neck and facial muscles, impacting on ability to speak and swallow

• Respiratory muscles, limiting individuals ability to breathe

Physiotherapy Principles:

• Maximise reserve muscle stores

• Commence respiratory care early

• Implement adaptive aids to assist independence

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common Neurological condition in young Australians. It is caused when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the protective coating of the nerves (the myelin). It is an unpredictable disease, and often has periods of stability between 'flare ups'.

Key condition features:

• Changes in sensation

• Changes in muscle strength, coordination and control

• Reduced balance

• Reduced mobility

• Cognition changes

• Mood changes

• Fatigue

• Poor temperature regulation

Key Physiotherapy Principles:

• Mobility and falls prevention

• Functional strength

• Fatigue management strategies

• Assistive technology implementation

FND describes a group of conditions where there is a non-structural obstruction in the brain body connection.

Condition features:

• Seizures

• Tremors

• Altered gait / walking pattern

• Sudden loss of strength and coordination

Physiotherapy Principles:

• Return to safe movement

• Identify triggers and aid in finding solutions

• Utilise distraction techniques to help the body redevelop pathways

Brain tumors result in unique symptoms for each individual.

Physiotherapy often supports:

• Mobility

• Balance and falls prevention

• Fatigue management

• Adaptive technology prescription

• Functional capacity building

There are many neurological conditions which are not listed here.

Please give our team a call to find out how we can help you.

Physiotherapy can help support the symptoms associated with a range of mental health conditions such as:

• Schizoaffective disorder

• Schizophrenia

• Borderline Personality Disorder

• Bipolar

• Depression

• Anxiety

Physiotherapy treatment for neuro atypical conditions such as ADHD and Autism is a growing area. Physiotherapy has a significant role to play with individuals learning to live with their symptoms. We help support individuals build functional capacity so they can confidently live their lives.