Clinical Topics

Rehabilitation for Neurological Disorders

What conditions may benefit from neurological rehabilitation?

The nervous system is vulnerable to various disorders. It can be damaged by injuries, infections, degeneration, structural defects, and tumors, as well as disorders in the circulatory system. Disorders of the nervous system, which may be helped by physical medicine and rehabilitation, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

vascular disorders - stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage and hematoma, and extradural hemorrhage
infections - meningitis, encephalitis, polio, and epidural abscess
structural, trauma, or neuromuscular disorders - brain, head, or spinal cord injury, Bell's palsy, cervical spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, brain or spinal cord tumors, peripheral neuropathy, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome
functional disorders - headache, seizure disorder, dizziness, and neuralgia
degenerative disorders - Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's chorea, and Alzheimer's disease

The neurological rehabilitation team:

Neurological rehabilitation programs can be conducted while a person is a hospital inpatient, or on an outpatient basis. The neurological rehabilitation team revolves around the patient and family. The team helps set short- and long-term treatment goals for recovery and is made up of many skilled professionals, including the following:

neurologist/neurosurgeon
orthopaedist/orthopaedic surgeon
physiatrist
internist
rehabilitation nurse
dietitian
physical therapist
occupational therapist
speech therapist/language therapist
psychologist/psychiatrist
recreational therapist
audiologist
chaplain
vocational therapist

The neurological rehabilitation program:

The goals of a neurological rehabilitation program include helping the individual to return to the highest level of function and independence, and improving the overall quality of life for that individual - physically, emotionally, and socially. A typical neurological rehabilitation program helps to accomplish and/or may include the following:

assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as eating, dressing, bathing, using the toilet, handwriting, cooking, and basic housekeeping
speech therapy (to help patients who are having trouble speaking, expressing their thoughts, or swallowing; to improve speech patterns, enunciation, and oral communication, in general)
counseling (to deal with anxiety and depression)
bladder and bowel retraining
activities to improve control and muscle balance in the trunk, pelvis, and shoulder girdle
an exercise program (to improve function, safety, and efficiency of movement; to prevent or postpone weakness caused by lack of use; to manage spasticity and pain; to maintain range of motion; to develop the maximum potential of muscle, bone, and respiration)
social skills retraining
gait and balance retraining
nutritional counseling
involvement in community support groups
activities to improve cognitive impairments, such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, and poor judgment
education regarding the disease and disease process
goal setting (short- and long-term) involving the individual and family members

Click here to view the
Online Resources of Nervous System Disorders

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At Guthrie Health patients may have advanced diagnostic or treatment options, or may receive educational materials that vary from this information. Please be aware that this information is not intended to replace the care or advice given by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Call your health care provider immediately if you think you may have a medical emergency. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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