PHYSIOTHERAPY
Physiotherapy (PT) for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is a specialized rehabilitation approach focused on improving a person’s physical function, mobility, and quality of life after a brain injury.
It uses exercises and activities to address deficits like weakness, balance problems, and coordination issues, and is based on the principle of neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt and create new neural pathways.
A neurological physiotherapist creates a personalized treatment plan to help individuals regain independence in daily tasks, manage pain, and achieve their specific goals.
Key aspects of Physiotherapy PT for ABI
- Assessment: A neurological physiotherapist evaluates your specific needs by assessing mobility, strength, balance, and other physical abilities to understand how the ABI has affected your function.
- Goal-oriented treatment: A treatment plan is developed with the individual to set realistic goals, which can range from learning to sit independently to walking without assistance or returning to running.
- Exercise and activity: Treatment includes specialized exercises and, importantly, task- specific training—practicing real-life activities like getting dressed, walking, or picking up a cup to help re-learn movements.
- Neuroplasticity-based approach: The therapy leverages the brain’s ability to change and “rewire” itself after injury to relearn movement and improve function.
- Broader benefits: Physiotherapy can also help manage pain, improve mood, and reduce the risk of secondary health problems like heart disease and osteoporosis.
- Education and support: Therapists educate both the individual and their family on the condition, self-management strategies, and home exercises to support continued progress.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration: Physiotherapists are a key part of a larger rehabilitation team, working with other professionals like occupational therapists and doctors to ensure a comprehensive approach. diagnosing, treating, and preventing physical disabilities or movement impairments caused by injury, illness, or aging. Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques, exercises, and modalities to help individuals improve their mobility, strength, flexibility, and overall physical function.