Neurological rehabilitation, often shortened to “neuro rehab,” refers to therapeutic services designed for individuals with central nervous system disorders or damage. This includes diagnoses like stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurologic conditions.
If you or a loved one will be starting neuro rehab after a neurological event, it’s normal to wonder what it entails and how it can help.
Neurological Rehabilitation Berkeley Heights, NJ, is critical in the rehabilitation process for people dealing with neurological issues. FYZICAL Berkeley Heights is dedicated to delivering comprehensive treatment that is tailored to your individual requirements. Here’s an overview of what to expect during neurologic rehabilitation.
Initial Evaluation
Your road to recovery begins with a comprehensive evaluation. In Berkeley Heights, NJ, our skilled staff will assess your medical condition, including its severity and impact on your everyday life. This evaluation assists us in developing a personalized treatment plan.
The evaluation consists of a physiatrist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, nurses, and others. They will assess the patient’s current impairment through motor tests, sensation tests, cognitive tests, and a review of medical history.
Goals are identified based on what skills have been lost due to neurological damage. This establishes a baseline upon which to build a customized therapy plan.
Physical Therapy
Berkeley Heights physical therapy focuses on increasing your physical function. It is a major component of most neuro rehab programs. The physical therapist works on restoring motor function, strength, balance, mobility, and coordination.
They use techniques like stretching and range of motion exercises to maintain joint flexibility. Gait training with assistive devices helps patients relearn walking and proper movement patterns.
Balance activities aim to prevent falls. The therapist may use functional electrical stimulation to stimulate weak or paralyzed muscles. Pool therapy provides alternative conditioning. Home exercise programs reinforce skills.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy focuses on skills required for activities of daily living, like eating, dressing, bathing, cooking, cleaning, and work tasks. Occupational therapists use special equipment and techniques to retrain patients to complete daily tasks independently.
They also work on motor skills, visual perception, coordination, safety awareness, and cognitive abilities. The goal is to help patients regain independence in meaningful life activities.
Speech Therapy
Many neurological conditions affect communication, swallowing, and cognitive skills. Speech therapy treats language deficits, speech impairment, poor saliva management, and swallowing difficulty (dysphagia).
Exercises target oral motor control, word-finding, reading comprehension, memory strategies, and conversational skills. Adaptive communication devices or writing aids may be recommended. Speech therapy is critical for safe swallowing and eating after neurological damage.
Neuropsychological Testing
Formal neuropsychological testing can be performed to assess and treat cognitive impairment from conditions like traumatic brain injury or stroke.
This may include memory, attention, information processing, visual/spatial skills, reasoning, and executive functions. The neuropsychologist tailors therapeutic activities to improve the impaired cognitive domains. These help patients maximize function.
Assistive Technology
There is a wide range of assistive technology used in neurological rehab to accommodate functional loss and maximize independence.
This includes things like leg braces, quad canes, reachers, dressing aids, adapted eating utensils, electric scooters, raised toilet seats, grab bars, specialized wheelchairs, alerting devices, and computer software. The rehab team identifies appropriate assistive devices for each patient.
Patient and Family Education
Education is provided to patients and families about the neurological condition, what to expect with rehabilitation, and how to transition back into the home environment.
Nurses and social workers play critical roles. Support groups and counseling may be included. Education empowers patients & families to actively participate in the treatment process. Knowledge helps ease the adjustment.
Customized Treatment Plans
Each person’s neurological condition is unique, and our approach at FYZICAL Berkeley Heights reflects this insight.
Each patient follows an individualized treatment plan tailored to their unique deficits and goals. The team collaborates to address physical, cognitive, behavioral, communication, social, recreational, vocational, and educational needs. Treatment intensity and duration vary based on each patient’s response. The plan evolves over time as skills improve. Consistency is key for maximal progress.
The ultimate goals of neurological rehabilitation are to rebuild function, maximize independence, prevent complications, and improve quality of life. With regular therapy, patients can regain mobility, self-care skills, cognition, communication, and confidence. However, neuro rehab does require commitment from patients and caregivers. Patience is also needed as progress occurs gradually.
Conclusion
If you or someone you love faces neurological rehabilitation, understand that specialized therapists offer the tools and training to help recovery. Set small goals, stay positive, and actively participate in the therapy process for the best outcome.
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers – Berkeley Heights in Berkeley Heights, NJ, provides a comprehensive and individualized approach to neurological rehabilitation.
If you are seeking personalized neurological rehabilitation, you can contact FYZICAL Berkeley Heights in Berkeley Heights, NJ, to learn more about their services and how they can help you achieve those objectives.