News : Feature Article
The Paralympics, London 2012, is fast approaching
The 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London are fast approaching. This year the Australian Paralympic Committee is preparing to deliver an Australian Team to the 2012 London Paralympic Games of approximately 165 athletes and 140 officials (total Team size of 305). This will be the largest Team Australia has ever sent to an away Paralympic Games. As of 2010, the Summer Paralympics include 20 sports and disciplines and about 420 events.
Categories: Feature Article
Spinal Cord Injury- Why hydrotherapy is worth getting wet!
After having spinal surgery in 2008 and starting a journey into the unknown world of paraplegia, the one sport that I enjoyed, swimming became a distant memory. Even the thought of getting into the pool was scary but after a little convincing I thought I would give it a go.
Categories: Feature Article, Spinal Cord Injury
Botox for Multiple Sclerosis
Spasiticity is very common in MS and is the result of an imbalance in the central nervous system caused by the disease affecting the brain and/or spinal. These involuntary muscle contractions cause muscle spasms and stiffness, which, over time may lead to decreased range of motion of the arms or legs. This limitation of range of motion can affect the ability to take care of ones daily needs (e.g. maintain hand and axilla hygiene and ability to dress) and affect the ability to weight bear and walk.
Categories: Feature Article, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuromuscular Orthotics, Falls prevention program, Physiotherapy
Cognitive problems in Parkinson's disease
For many people living with Parkinson's, changes in thinking skills can accompany motor changes, underpinned by many of the same dopamine-dependent neural processes. The changes in cognitive function can include reductions in mental flexibility, problem solving and speed of processing, as well as visual spatial deficits and short term memory problems. These can all contribute to reduced quality of life and function (including ability to work, manage finances and drive), as well as carer strain and burnout.
Categories: Feature Article, Parkinson's Disease, Physiotherapy
Stroke services failing to provide
A report into stroke services across Australia released in October 2011 showed a major failure to provide best practice care in acute and follow up services. Prompt access to specialised treatment units have been shown to reduce deaths and lessen impairments. Yet many Australians are unable to access these units. A report into stroke services across Australia showed many stroke victims are cared for outside of these units – a staggering 42% were unable to access specialised stroke unit care.
Being in hospital is merely the beginning of a stroke survivor’s journey. Rehabilitation and planning for leaving hospital are vital to improving life after stroke, yet over a third of hospitals do not assess their patients’ need for further rehabilitation as standard practice. Four out of 10 hospitals did not give stroke survivors a plan for care after leaving hospital. Two thirds of hospitals had no protocols for reviewing patients after discharge, and one third did not provide any after discharge contact information.
Categories: Feature Article, Stroke recovery, Home based rehabilitation, Physiotherapy
Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain after Stroke
Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is very common after stroke, with some studies reporting incidence as high as 84%. The usual onset is 2-3 months post stroke. The pain can be intense and result in reduce functional recovery and, increased disability. The pain itself can have very real negative effects resulting in depression, loss of sleep, loss of self worth, anxiety and irritability.
Categories: Feature Article, Stroke recovery, Physiotherapy
Remote Training for People with Parkinson’s Disease – where there is a will there is a way!
Do you have Parkinson's disease and live regionally? We support many people who do not live in Sydney through independent assessments, program development and teleconference/video conference feedback.
Categories: Feature Article, Parkinson's Disease, Falls prevention program, Physiotherapy
Dual Task training in people with Parkinson’s Disease
Difficulty performing more than one task at a time is a common and disabling problem experienced by people with Parkinson disease (PD). If asked to perform another task when walking, people with PD often take shorter steps or walk more slowly. There is uncertainty amongst physiotherapists about whether clinicians should teach people with PD to avoid dual tasking or whether they should encourage them to practice dual tasking with the hope that practice will lead to enhanced performance.
Categories: Feature Article, Parkinson's Disease, Physiotherapy
Strength training in Stroke
High intensity activity, including strength training is an important part of rehabilitation after stroke. Research over the past 20 years has shown that muscle weakness may be directly responsible for compromised muscle function and that strength training not only improves strength and function, in most cases it can reduce spasticity.
Categories: Feature Article, Stroke recovery, Home based rehabilitation, Falls prevention program, Physiotherapy