FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER PHYSIOTHERAPY EDMONTON

Functional Neurological Disorder Physiotherapy Edmonton

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Functional Neurological Disorder

Functional Neurological Disorder—a condition that can drastically alter a person’s everyday life. FND presents a unique challenge for both patients and healthcare providers. Early identification of FND signs and seeking functional neurological disorder treatment can help manage the condition effectively. 

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Fnd Integrated Program Edmonton

FND Integrated Program at In Step

At In Step, we understand the complexities of Functional Neurological Disorders starting right from the diagnosis. It affects both your brain and body to a great extent. That’s why our FND Integrated Program is designed to address you as a whole person, providing comprehensive care across physical, emotional, and cognitive health. 

Whether you’re dealing with movement issues, sensory problems, or emotional stress, we’ve got a supportive team ready to help you reclaim control of your life.

Program Overview

This program is 8-12 weeks long and combines different types of therapy for a holistic approach:

  • 3 x Neuro Physical Therapy sessions per week
  • 2 x Occupational Therapy sessions per week (if needed)
  • 2 x Psychology sessions per week (if needed)
  • 1 x Kinesiology session per week

Unlike more conventional neurological disorders, FND does not involve identifiable lesions or structural injuries. Instead, it can manifest through:

  • Abnormal movement
  • Sensory issues
  • Cognitive disturbances

Understanding FND requires recognizing that individuals with this condition have intact nervous system wiring—essentially, the basic machinery is functioning, but there is a disconnect in how the brain communicates with the body.

At In Step Physical Therapy, our approach focuses on retraining movement, improving physical function, and dealing with the underlying psychological factors that contribute to FND.

Symptom Model and How Physiotherapy Can Help?

Risk Factors Of Functional Motor Disorder (Fmd)

Causes of FND

There is probably not one single cause, and everyone is different. Attention(awareness) is a really important feature. By attention, we mean where our thoughts and awareness are focused. When the person’s attention is distracted from their body, their movement becomes more normal. Another way to think about this is where the “spotlight” of your brain is shining. When the spotlight (attention) shines on your body, you may have noticed that your movement problem is worse. When the spotlight is directed somewhere else (you are distracted or concentrating on something different), your movement problem may improve a little. This helps explain why FMD symptoms can vary over short periods.

FND early symptoms may appear suddenly and vary greatly between individuals. Common FND signs include:

  • Uncontrollable shaking
  • Speech difficulties
  • Sensory disturbances such as numbness or tingling
  • Episodes that resemble seizures but are not related to epilepsy

Conditions Treated Under Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

FND is a broad condition that encompasses various neurological symptoms. Beyond Functional Motor Disorder (FMD), there are several other subtypes of FND, each affecting different aspects of the nervous system. At In Step Physical Therapy, we provide effective treatment for a range of conditions under the FND:

  1. Functional Seizures (Non-Epileptic Seizures)
  2. Functional Sensory Disorders
  3. Functional Speech and Swallowing Disorders
  4. Functional Gait and Balance Disorders
  5. Functional Cognitive Symptoms
  6. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(CRPS) 
  7. Functional Movement Disorder 
  8. Persistent Postural Dizziness   
  9. Persistent Post Concussion Symptoms 
Conditions Treated Under Functional Neurological Disorder (Fnd)

What Makes Our Program Different?

What makes us so different is that we are looking at how your physical body, mental health and environmental factors feed off one another. We do not only manage symptoms, but we help you understand your condition, give you all the necessary tools for self-care, and provide the support that will allow you to take great control of yourself through a journey towards wellness.

Our team works together, bringing together expertise in physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, kinesiology, and fitness. They also collaborate with your medical professional team, which allows them to create a plan that meets your unique needs and goals.

With an evidence-based program designed just for you and no generic one-size-fits-all approach, our team, consisting of experienced professionals at In Step, takes care of you. You will get all of the help that you need, a program specific to your requirements, and a road map for managing this condition in the long term.

What Happens in a Typical Session?

A session at In Step isn’t just about exercises and drills. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Listening to You: We start by understanding your story, your goals, and what brings you in.
  • Comprehensive Assessment: We’ll look at everything from motor control and sensory function to lifestyle factors.
  • Education: We’ll explain your condition in easy-to-understand terms and teach your family how to support your recovery.
  • Personalized Plan: Together, we’ll create a set of techniques you can use outside of therapy to manage symptoms.
  • Fun and Engagement: Therapy should be enjoyable! We believe having fun and engaging your mind makes the process more effective.
Key Components of Our Integrated Therapy Approach

1. Physical Therapy

  • Functional Training: Exercises to improve daily activities and motor skills.
  • Strength & Flexibility Workouts: Building physical resilience through personalized exercises.
  • Nervous System Regulation: Training your body to manage stress responses more effectively.

2. Occupational Therapy

  • Fine Motor Skills: Techniques to help with daily tasks like writing, cooking, and other hand-based activities.
  • Lifestyle Interventions: Tips on managing sleep, energy levels, and stress.
  • Sensory & Autonomic Training: Techniques to improve body awareness and nervous system function.

3. Psychology

  • Emotional Awareness: Learning to understand and manage your emotions.
  • Mindfulness & Coping Skills: Developing practical tools to handle stress and anxiety.
  • Cognitive Training: Exercises to improve focus, memory, and problem-solving skills.
4. Kinesiology & Fitness
  • Functional Fitness Workouts: Engaging in targeted fitness routines designed to improve strength, endurance, and overall physical resilience while ensuring safety and adaptability to your unique condition.
  • Low-Impact Cardio & Strength Training: Incorporating exercises that boost cardiovascular health as well as muscle strength without putting undue stress on the body, tailored to your comfort level.

5. Patient Education

  • Understanding FND: Comprehensive resources and training for you and your family to understand how Functional Neurological Disorders work and how to support your recovery.
  • Self-Management Techniques: Equipping you with strategies to recognize early signs of symptom flare-ups and practical methods for maintaining progress and preventing relapse.
Core Techniques In The FND Integrated Program
Motor Control & Movement

Exercises to help your body remember how to move naturally.

Aerobic Exercise

Graded routines to improve your stamina and overall health.

Sensory Re-mapping

Training your brain to better understand and react to sensory input.

Dual-Task Training

Engaging both your body and brain to build automatic responses.

Nervous System Regulation

Methods to calm your body and reduce the stress response.

Lifestyle Advice

Guidance on sleep, nutrition, time management, and physical activity.

Mental Health Support

We provide strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and stress.

Self-Acceptance and Empowerment

We focus on building your confidence and self-awareness so you can feel in control of your life.

How Soon Will I Feel Better?

Every journey is unique, but often, people experience relief after a few sessions. Improvements in movement, discomfort, and confidence will be noticeable for you. For some, simply having a team that truly gets what they want and need can be enough to make them feel better.

You can also have ‘flare-ups,’ or days where symptoms are more concentrated. That’s completely normal. We view these flare-ups as chances to educate you on how best to handle bad days with confidence.

Ready to Begin Your Journey to Wellness?

If you are ready to take control, feel more balanced and get more in tune with your body, then our FND Integrated Program is suitable for you! 

Contact us to In Step Physical Therapy in Edmonton to schedule your consultation. We look forward to guiding you in your journey toward health and happiness!

Functional Neurological Disorder Physiotherapy Edmonton

FAQ:

Research has shown that physical therapy can be an effective treatment method for patients with Functional Neurological Disorders. It can help prevent secondary complications, and in certain cases, it has been shown to expedite the process of remission.

The onset of  Functional Neurological Disorder symptoms usually occurs abruptly during adolescence or early adulthood, often following a stressful life event. Symptoms often appear neurologic, encompassing sensory and motor presentations. Generally, patients present with one symptom at any given time and the severity of symptoms may vary under certain circumstances.

Each session is part of the unique treatment plan created based on the patient’s condition, goals, limitations and medical history. So every session is different from another. A typical session might last from 60mins- 90mins.