SKILLS ADDRESSED
Physical Function
Many individuals with brain injury experience physical problems, pain, and fatigue after their injuries. However, with determination and support, they can often overcome these challenges and once again resume active lives. We thank Molly for letting us share her inspirational story: this remarkable 78 year old woman progressed from requiring 24 hour a day attendant care when she left the hospital to once again teaching yoga!
NRS occupational and physical therapists have expertise in managing the physical problems commonly associated with brain injury. These problems include:
- Neurological deficits such as altered muscle tone, weakness, and impaired balance and coordination.
- Orthopedic injuries such as fractures and soft tissue restrictions.
Therapy focuses on promoting skill development and independence in such areas as:
- Gross motor function (e.g. overall strength, range of motion, balance and gross motor coordination for bed mobility, transfers, ambulation, use of mobility aids and high level motor skills such as sports).
- Fine motor function (e.g. arm and hand strength, range of motion and eye hand coordination for self care, hand writing, etc.)
- sensory and perceptual motor function (e.g. visual motor integration for re-learning how to write).
- Pain and fatigue management.
- Stress and sleep management.
Initially, treatment is usually provided in the home, beginning with active treatment and progressing to home exercise/activity programs. When the client is ready, the focus shifts to assisting the client to participate in more natural activities that will enhance his or her physical abilities and functional abilities over the long term. These activities may include:
- Activities of daily living.
- Working out a local gym.
- Resuming or learning a new sport.
NRS also has a fully equipped physiotherapy gym for those clients who require a period of in-clinic physiotherapy treatment. If our location is not convenient, we can help recommend a local physiotherapy clinic, and we will act as a liaison between the clinic physiotherapist and the NRS team to ensure carryover of skills into the individual's daily life.
Specific treatment techniques include remediation to enhance skill development (e.g. neurodevelopmental therapy, craniosacral therapy, TENS and acupuncture) and compensatory aids and strategies to improve participation and independence (e.g. splinting, walking aids, wheelchairs, computers, reachers).
Team members who address physical function include:
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Rehabilitation Coaches
- Kinesiologists
All staff have at least three years experience working with individuals with brain injury (or they are closely supervised by a professional with that experience).
