Other Neurological Conditions

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This rare condition is caused by a progressive demylination of the peripheral nerves, followed by remyelination and recovery.  Myelin is a coating on the nerves which enables messages to be sent between the spinal cord and your muscles and skin. Without myelin, the nerves cannot transmit messages which results in paralysis. Guillaine Barre Syndrome or GBS usually starts in the hands or feet, and works up the legs and arms. In severe cases it can affect the respiratory muscles and the person would be on a ventilator.

After a time (days to weeks) the nerves start to recover and replace the myelin, so that the muscles can work again. Most people will make some recovery although this can take several months.

A spinal cord injury or SCI happens when there is damage to either the vertebrae or the spinal cord itself.  The vertebrae are the bones making up your back, which protect the spinal cord inside. If the spinal cord is damaged, then messages between your brain and your muscles and skin cannot get through, and you will lose movement and feeling in the lower part of your body, depending on the level of the damage.  A SCI in your neck may mean you are unable to move or feel your arms, whereas a SCI in your lower back will only affect your legs, and you may still be able to walk.

A head injury occurs when the head is hit by something, which causes damage to the brain.  The vast majority of head injuries are mild or moderate, and make a full recovery without physiotherapy treatment. A head injury does not need a break or fracture to the skull to cause damage. A head injury can cause very varied problems as almost any area can be affected, and in severe cases, several areas are affected.

A severe head injury is often the result of a traffic or sporting accident, and there will be many other injuries as well, which can result in slow progress.

A peripheral neuropathy means that there are changes in the peripheral nervous system, which are the nerves that carry messages from the spinal cord to the muscles and from the skin to the spinal cord. It can be a condition or symptom of another disease such as diabetes, HIV or nutritional deficits. However, most of the time, the cause of the neuropathy will not be identified, and it may be called idiopathic.

If the nerves taking messages to the muscles are affected, it is termed a motor neuropathy, and weakness or paralysis will be the main effect. If the nerves bringin messages from the skin are affected, it is termed a sensory neuropathy and altered sensation or pain may be the main effect. Both types are nerves may be affected in a mixed neuropathy.

This condition affects people who had polio several years ago, causing further weakening of previously affected muscles, fatigue, joint and muscle pain and muscular atrothy or wasting.  There can be several years between the recovery from the polio virus and the onset of post polio syndrome, and the severity of the relapse is related to the severity of the initial polio.

Exercise in moderation is not harmful and will contribute towards a healthy lifestyle.

The term muscular dystrophy covers a large group of muscle disorders, the most common of which is Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. Most are progressive and will lead to certain groups of muscles becoming weaker resulting in difficulties walking and moving. In general there is no cure for muscular dystrophy and treatment is geared to helping with symptoms and management of side effects, such as stiff joints, poor posture, and pain.

Motor Neurone Disease or MND is a progressive degenerative neurological condition that affects the nerves which transmit messages to the muscles. This results in weakness and wasting, loss of movement, dificulties with speech and swallowing and problems with breathing.

There is currently no known cure for MND and therefore physiotherapy treatment is aimed at preventing or reliveing side effects and management of symptoms.

There are many rare neurological conditions that are not specifically listed here. If your condition is a rare condition, then please contact us to discuss whether treatment is indicated.

Whilst many neurological conditions cannot be cured, many can be managed with appropriate treatment, resulting in fewer side effects and complications, and improved quality of life.