Neurological Physiotherapy Principles

Neurological physiotherapy is based around many different principles of rehabilitation. Neurological physiotherapy aims to improve movement, mobility and independence with everyday activities in patients with damage to their central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Principles of neurological physiotherapy include:

• Bobath approach - stimulates sensory and motor pathways by encouraging normal movement patterns. Bobath physiotherapy will normalise tone and help you regain motor control by making movements easier to achieve. 
  
  
• Carr and Shepherd approach - improves functional ability by making treatment task-specific and encouraging active involvement throughout the rehabilitation process. Carr and Shepherd physiotherapy will help you relearn movement and daily tasks such as climbing the stairs, getting in and out of the bath and making a cup of tea. 
  
  
• Brunnstrom approach - is based around muscles working together (synergically) and encouraging movement in a sequential manner in order to restore normal motor function. Brunnstrom physiotherapy will help recover movement and improve functional tasks. 
  
  
• Conductive education approach - teaches people how to overcome their movement difficulties using a combination of education and psychology. Treatment focuses on repetition of tasks to facilitate learning and solve problems arising from motor disorders.

Many physiotherapists use a combination of the above principles depending on the type of neurological condition. Neurological physiotherapy treatment will be tailored to your individual needs and symptoms in order to maximise your potential.