What is Neurological Physiotherapy?
Our brain, muscles and the connections between them adapt after injuries such as a stroke, or disorders like Parkinson’s. The ability of our brains to “re-wire” is called neuroplasticity. In physiotherapy we use this capacity for neuroplasticity to make positive changes. Alongside the problems of the nervous system, physiotherapy treatment may also treat stiffness or weakness in muscles. As well as pain, general reduced fitness and other complications of the neurological damage.
The role of Neurological Physiotherapy is to improve posture and movement in order to improve function.
Key elements of treatment at Leeds Bradford Neurophysiotherapy include:
- Detailed initial and ongoing assessment by a specialist physiotherapist to identify your physical impairment and individual goals. You should feel some positive impact of the treatment immediately.
- A frequently hands on, treatment approach and home exercise programme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I be treated by both you and the NHS?
Yes! At Leeds Bradford Neurophysiotherapy we regularly treat people who are also receiving NHS physiotherapy. Our professional body, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), recommends when both parties are involved we should communicate with each other so that we can provide the most beneficial care to our patients. If you are also being treated by an NHS physio, a joint session is sometimes beneficial for the continuity of your care. We routinely contact other physiotherapists who are treating our patients, or who have just stopped providing treatment.
Can you train Health Care Assistants and/or my PA?
We are experts in training carers and would be delighted to advise anyone supporting you. Best progress happens not just with excellent physiotherapy treatment, but also with the ideal home routine in place. We frequently produce individual advice sheets so that people in your life can support you with exercises and rehabilitation.
My balance and walking is poor can you help?
Yes! We are very pleased to treat people to improve mobility, balance and to reduce ‘falls risk’ and instil confidence following a fall. Often, a great deal of progress can be made with balance and mobility problems that have slowly developed over time.
I live in a care home, can you treat me here?
Yes! We are very pleased to treat people in residential and nursing care homes. We are a well known in a number of residential and nursing homes around the Leeds and Bradford area, having treated individual residents and delivered care skills staff training to many of the homes.
Does physiotherapy help me recover from my stroke?
Yes, and in so many different ways! The brain and central nervous system are amazing and have a great capacity to recover. A neurological specialist physiotherapist can guide and enhance that process. First assessing your condition, then giving treatment and home advice to maximise your progress. Improvement will tend to be quickest nearer the time of the stroke, so it’s good to maximise on the first few months for treatment. Progress is possible many years after the stroke but you should feel some improvement in the first session.
Can my family stay in the session with me?
Yes! We are always very happy to welcome family members into the treatment sessions and anyone else you may like to come with you. It can be very helpful for people to understand the problems related to your stroke or other neurological condition. They may then be able to give important support to your progress. Many of our patients have their family present at each session. Others, once they have met our friendly team use the treatment time for some ‘me time’ perhaps reading in reception with a cuppa.
Is there an advantage in intensive treatment?
Yes! After injury to the brain or spinal cord the aim of rehabilitation is to promote the re-wiring of the nervous system (neuroplasticity) to relearn, lost or reduced movement control. The process of neuroplasticity is very similar to skill learning for sports or playing a musical instrument. As we all know, good results are dependent on good and sufficient practice. We believe higher intensity rehabilitation, in many cases, enables you to increase your potential and reach your goals quicker.
Do you treat children?
Yes! We have a specialised Paediatric Physiotherapist, Heather Angilley. Heather has extensive experience with children with neurological problems such as hemiplegia, and acquired brain injuries. She is a national lead in Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD). So, families with children that have relatively mild issues such as, clumsiness and falling can get some excellent advice and specialist treatment as well as children with more complex needs.
We also treat those who are no longer children but have congenital mobility or neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy or Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Am I too old to benefit from treatment?
No! People of every age can benefit enormously from treatment. We treat many people who are over 80 and a number of people who may have multiple significant health problems. The specialist treatment always takes account of the complete medical history. We are always very careful to select treatment that does not over tire. People are often amazed how quickly their fitness increases.
My stroke was over 2 years ago, will I still benefit?
Yes! Specialist neurological physiotherapy treatment can address problems of stiffness, muscle shortening and pain many years after a stroke. It can also improve walking and other functional activities through individual assessment and treatment. We would expect you to feel a difference after the first session.
Will you give me exercises to do at home?
Yes, almost everybody who comes to us for treatment would benefit from a number of exercises or activities to do at home. We will usually support your home routine with a written plan to achieve maximum progress.
Do I need to bring anything else with me?
Please bring details of any medication you are taking to your first appointment. Private medical insurance details may also be useful.
Do I need a referral from GP or Consultant?
No! Although many people are referred to us by their Neurologist, you do not need a doctor’s referral. With your consent, we will send reports to your doctor as and when appropriate; such as following your initial assessment and after a course of treatment. Most people come to the practice as self-referrals having heard about us from other health professionals, friends or family.
Do you treat back, neck and joint problems?
Yes! Dr Phil Commons is a musculoskeletal specialist physiotherapist who works at the practice. She is a McKenzie tutor, training qualified therapists in this very effective treatment approach. As well as treating neck and back problems, Phil treats knee and other joint and soft tissue issues including arthritis. The neurological specialist therapists at the practice can arrange consultations with Phil, when treating people with primary neurological problems who also have complex muscular skeletal issues impacting on their recovery.
Could I have treatment in my own home?
Yes! Our physiotherapists would be happy to provide treatment in your home, including residential or care homes. In fact, it is often advisable for people who have had a stroke, brain injury, spinal injury or who have Parkinson’s disease to have occasional sessions at home so the physiotherapist can tailor treatment and exercises to your home environment.
How much does it cost to have a home visit?
The cost of a home visit is worked out on an individual basis, depending on the distance from the Practice. The cost of a home visit is usually slightly higher than treatment at our practice. Please call us on 0113 250 8833 for a personalised quote.
How much physiotherapy treatment will I need?
This is very individual dependent on you and your condition. We will start with one assessment and treatment session, from which you could expect to see improvement. Most people benefit from an initial course of treatment (usually between 4 and 10 sessions) with at least one follow up review. Some people benefit from more regular therapy to maintain their level of activity, while others may have short intensive bursts, interspersed with breaks from treatment. Our physiotherapists are well informed on the latest research in neurological rehabilitation. They understand the required intensity of treatment to maximise brain repair and motor learning as a basis for improved movement control. Your physio will discuss with you what your goals are and how they may be achieved.
How long are the sessions?
Usually sessions are one hour but sometimes people elect to have sessions of 90 minutes, if they have travelled significant distance for the appointment, or if they are staying near by for intensive periods. Occasionally, people opt to have shorter sessions if they are unable to exercise for a full hour. This is something the physio would be very happy to discuss with you.
Could you advise me on my exercise programme at the gym?
Yes! Physiotherapy advice sessions at the gym can be very useful to ensure you are using gym equipment like static bikes and treadmills appropriately for your individual needs. One of our specialist physiotherapists will be able to guide you to choose the exercises and progression that will optimise your experience at the gym.
Could you advise my Personal Trainer at the gym?
Yes! In our experience, personal trainers are very pleased to have the advice of a neurological specialist when working with people who have had a stroke, brain injury, spinal injury or who have Parkinson’s disease. Standard exercise regimes usually require adaption and we would be very happy to work with your Personal Trainer to make sure they are adapting your sessions to optimise neurological rehabilitation.
Where do I park?
We have ample free parking including spaces directly outside the clinic door.
Where are you based?
We are near Leeds Bradford Airport and the A65, between Guiseley and Horsforth. Our Practice is easily accessible from the centre of Leeds and the centre of Bradford. The address is: Ground Floor, Unit 3, Rawdon Business park, Leeds, LS19 7BA.
What clothes should I wear for my appointment?
It is a good idea to bring appropriate clothing for assessment, usually shorts and a sleeveless/strappy top for women and shorts and bare chest (or a vest) for men. If you are not comfortable to wear shorts, wear something you feel comfortable in such as stretch trousers or loose trousers that can be rolled up. Each patient is seen in individual cubicles, not in an open gym.