Neurological disorders & exercise physiology
Exercise can prevent or delay neuro-degenerative symptoms.
It is critical for improving your physical and emotional status and is also proven to improve gait, tremor, flexibility, grip strength, balance, and motor coordination.
When it comes to neurological recovery we know that volume and quality of exercise is paramount and getting to know your body and its limitations is the best way to surpass them and reach your personal goals.
At Be Physiology, we utilise exercise programs that are specific to your neurological condition to ensure you’re progressing towards your goals in a safe environment.
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Autism
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Bell’s Palsy
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chiari Malformation
- Epilepsy
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Parkinson Disease
- Stroke
What are neurological disorders?
A neurological condition (or neurological disorder) affects the brain, spinal cord or nerves found throughout the human body. This can lead to impairments with cognition, movement, memory, vision and feeling. Conditions described as neuro-degenerative continue to decrease function over time. These conditions impact people in a variety of ways resulting in varying levels of physical function.
Exercise physiology and the NDIS
Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are the highest qualified exercise professionals who prescribe exercise to improve the body’s functional ability and maintain a healthy body. AEPs prescribe safe and effective exercise programs specific for people with neurological conditions to help manage symptoms including muscle weakness, fatigue, coordination, balance disturbances. Many people with neurological conditions use National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding to access support from an exercise physiologist.
Our team of mobile exercise physiologists at Be Physiology assist people with neurological conditions first by running an assessment to learn what goals each individual has. Then prescribing an exercise program to work towards those goals together.
This may lead to working on improving strength, endurance, mobility, balance and gait. Before you engage in neurological rehabilitation, it’s important to understand how it will benefit you and how to get the most out of your program, as well as the risks involved.
When it comes to neurological recovery we know that volume and quality of exercise are paramount and getting to know your body and its limitations is the best way to surpass them and reach your personal goals.
Exercising with a neurological disorder
Exercise is used to help manage symptoms and delay the progress of some neuro-derengerative conditions. Exercise programs specifically tailored to neurological conditions, such as stroke, cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis, overall aim to improve your ability to perform activities of daily living with more confidence. By improving these activities you gain your independence and ultimately your autonomy.
The term Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is used to describe all types of brain injuries that occur after birth. The brain can be injured in a number of ways however some of the most common injuries are as a result of trauma from impact, lack of blood supply from a stroke, or a tumour. An ABI results in the death of brain tissue which means an ABI can affect cognition, movement, speech, vision, sensation, attention, behaviour, and personality. Impaired physical ability can present as weakness, tremors, spasticity, balance disturbances, and ataxic gait patterns. Due to the vast differences with each ABI, our exercise physiologists look at how your body is moving and activities you would like to improve on to determine what specific rehabilitation exercises are best for your recovery after a stroke.
Cerebral palsy is a disability that affects movement and posture due to abnormal brain development usually before birth. Depending on what area of the brain development has been affected will result in different types of cerebral palsy, for instance, which limbs are affected. Cerebral palsy symptoms include spasticity, reflexes, stiffness, and low muscle tone. This creates challenges in walking, impaired coordination, risk of falling, and maintaining joint range of motion. Each person living with cerebral palsy will have different goals depending on their level of function. When working with people living with cerebral palsy, exercise physiologists prescribe exercises to maintain range of motion and improve strength to assist in daily movements such as standing, reaching, and walking.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where abnormal brain activity causes seizures.
Epilepsy has a range of causes, yet some are unknown. Causes can include genetic factors, brain injuries, infections, or developmental disorders. Exercise can be used as adjunct therapy alongside other treatment options to help regulate seizure activity in those suffering from epilepsy. Exercise has been shown to improve the quality of sleep, regulate emotions, and decrease stress. Improving these three areas helps manage seizures and symptoms of epilepsy. In this way, exercise has an indirect effect on treating epilepsy and improving the quality of life for those with epilepsy. Our mobile exercise physiologists assist individuals with epilepsy to find types of exercise they enjoy, as well as find behaviour change strategies to maintain consistent physical activity when barriers get in the way.
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