Brain Injury Physiotherapy Edmonton

1.Initial Assessment and Goal Setting: The journey toward recovery begins with a thorough initial assessment conducted by our experienced physiotherapists. This evaluation assesses your current physical abilities, cognitive function, pain levels, and overall health status. This includes evaluating motor skills, balance, coordination, and speech. We also delve into the details of your injury, your medical history, and your personal rehabilitation goals. With this information, we design a personalized rehabilitation plan. Each treatment modality is carefully selected to target specific challenges and promote optimal recovery. including tailored approaches to traumatic brain injury physiotherapy in Edmonton.

2.Intensive Therapy Sessions: During this phase, the patient undergoes daily physiotherapy sessions to improve motor skills, balance, coordination, and cognitive abilities. The therapy methods which suit the patient best are chosen from the wide range of therapy provided at In Step as listed below:

• Manual Therapy: Hands-on treatment alleviates pain, improves movement, and enhances function.
• Neuromuscular Re-education: Techniques to retrain the nervous system and muscles to work together effectively.
• Balance Training: Customized exercises to enhance stability and prevent falls.
• Cognitive Therapy: Rehabilitation exercises to improve memory, attention, and other cognitive functions affected by brain injury.
• Therapeutic Exercise: A variety of exercises aimed at improving physical functions like strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance. It may include strength training, stretching exercises, balance exercises, and functional training.
• Gait and Mobility Training: These techniques focus on improving walking abilities and overall mobility. We may use assistive devices during training if required.
• Mirror Therapy: This innovative technique uses a mirror to trick the brain into believing movement has occurred without pain or restrictions. It can be particularly helpful in overcoming learned non-use in affected limbs.
• Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT): This technique involves constraining the unaffected limb, encouraging the use of the affected limb to improve its function.
• Vestibular Rehabilitation includes specific exercises and maneuvers to address balance and dizziness issues related to vestibular disorders.
• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES): NMES involves using electric currents to stimulate the nerves and muscles in the affected area, which can help improve movement and function.
  • The Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) is a device which delivers mild electrical stimulation to the surface of the tongue to facilitate neural plasticity and promote the regaining of balance and walking abilities.
• Functional Electrical Stimulation: State-of-the-art devices such as Bioness L300 GO and Bioness H200, designed to provide precise stimulation, prompting muscles to contract and assist with movement, are used at In Step to better aid patients in regaining mobility and functionality.
  • The Bioness L300 Go is a small, wearable cuff-like device placed around the patient’s leg to stimulate the nerves, causing muscles to contract and produce movement. It improves mobility, balance, walking speed, and endurance.
  • The Bioness H200 is worn like a glove for individuals with hand paralysis caused by neurological conditions. It helps to activate nerves and muscles, aiding in hand movement and function and assisting with tasks such as gripping, releasing, and fine motor skills.
• Relaxation Techniques: These methods help manage stress and reduce muscle tension, including guided imagery, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness exercises.

3. Continued Rehabilitation and Home Exercise Program: The focus during this phase is to ensure that the improvements made during the intensive therapy sessions are maintained and enhanced. The patient continues attending regular therapy sessions at the clinic and is provided with a home exercise program. This includes specific exercises and cognitive tasks they can practice at home to facilitate continuous improvement. This approach is especially crucial in traumatic brain injury physiotherapy, where consistency and follow-through directly impact recovery outcomes.

4. Long-Term Management: The patient transitions towards a long-term management plan during this phase. This plan involves regular check-ups with our physiotherapists to monitor progress, update the home exercise program as needed, and manage potential setbacks.

Throughout this rehabilitation plan, our team at In Step Physical Therapy remains committed to the patient’s recovery. We provide education and support to both the patient and their family to ensure a clear understanding of the recovery process, the goals of therapy, and the importance of active participation in the rehabilitation journey.