Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a rare neurological condition that causes the deterioration and loss of function of the motor system; the cells and nerves in the brain and spinal cord which control the muscles in our bodies. This results in weakness and stiffening of the muscles.
MND is progressive, and symptoms worsen over time. Sadly there is no cure, MND severely reduces life expectancy.
How can physiotherapy help when there is a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease?
While physiotherapy cannot reverse damage to muscle groups weakened by MND, it can help to keep weakened muscles as strong as possible through exercise.
Physiotherapy can also:
- Keep you mobile for as long as possible through specific treatment and exercises and advice on equipment.
- Reduce muscle stiffness through specific muscle mobilisations (massage), and assisted or passive exercise (where someone helps you.)
- Help maintain range of movement (ROM) in joints and muscles.
- Work on balance strategies helping to minimise the risk of falls.
If you have more severe symptoms physiotherapy treatment may focus on your, transfers, functional tasks, 24-hour postural management- so important for protecting body shape and comfort, helping you to remain as independent as possible. We find patients often benefit greatly from the treatment of pain symptoms that are not directly a result of MND but of avoidable secondary complications.
The specialist neurological physiotherapists at Nicole Lavin Neurological Rehabilitation are passionate about supporting and empowering the person with MND and the peoplesupporting them. We help in deepening understanding of the individual’s condition and teach skills to assist movement and comfortable positioning. All our treatment is focussed on supporting person affected and their family to, as much as possible, live life to the full. The physios always work closely with other health professionals and service providers to provide a multi-disciplinary service and integrated approach to rehabilitation and care.
For more information about Motor Neurone Disease click here: https://www.mndassociation.org/
