Physiotherapy Treatment for Brain Injury

At SP Therapy Services, we deliver specialist Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) physiotherapy in the client’s own home, supporting recovery, function, and independence following brain injury. Our experienced community-based physiotherapists work with adults and young people across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Yorkshire.

We cover a wide service area including Bury, Bradford, Holmfirth, Blackburn, Stalybridge, Barnsley, and surrounding towns.

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Acquired Brain Injury can affect anyone, at any time in their lives and as with all neurological conditions the symptoms and treatment are unique to the individual.

 

What is Acquired Brain Injury?

An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) refers to any injury to the brain that occurs after birth. This may result from:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) following accidents or falls
  • Stroke
  • Brain tumours
  • Infections (e.g. encephalitis or meningitis)
  • Oxygen deprivation (hypoxic or anoxic injury)

Symptoms of ABI can vary significantly depending on the location and severity of the injury and may include:

  • Muscle weakness or paralysis
  • Impaired coordination and balance
  • Spasticity and muscle tone changes
  • Fatigue and reduced stamina
  • Cognitive, behavioural, or speech difficulties
  • Sensory changes (vision, hearing, or sensation)

Physiotherapy plays a vital role in helping individuals adapt, recover function, and improve quality of life following brain injury.

  • Our Approach to ABI Physiotherapy

    We provide individualised, goal-based rehabilitation tailored to the unique needs of every client and their stage of recovery. Our ABI physiotherapy approach includes:

    • Strengthening and conditioning exercises
    • Balance and coordination retraining
    • Tone and spasticity management techniques
    • Fatigue management and pacing strategies
    • Functional task practice for daily living activities
    • Transfer training and safe mobility practice
    • Falls prevention and postural management
    • Vestibular rehabilitation
    • Support worker and family education
    • Supported engagement in community activities

    We adapt therapy based on each client’s capabilities, goals, and environment, working towards real-world outcomes that restore confidence, movement, and participation.

  • How does ABI affect people?

    ABI (Acquired Brain Injury) can affect anyone, at any time in their lives and as with all neurological conditions the symptoms and treatment are unique to the individual.

    ABI can cause movement problems, and thinking problems making life challenging for patients and their families, these problems can be temporary or permanent.

    Although the most rapid progress is made in the first 6 months after an ABI, patients continue to improve many years after their ABI.

  • How can physiotherapy help adults living with ABI?

    Although every individual with an ABI (Acquired Brain Injury) is different, the main focus of physiotherapy is to improve a persons ability to move and maximise their independence. To achieve this a physiotherapist will work to:

    • Improve posture and walking;
    • Improve balance and reduce the risk of falls;
    • Strengthen muscles, and reduce muscle stiffness;
    • Mobilise joints and improve the quality of movement;
    • Improve respiratory function and challenge the cardiovascular system;
    • Provide education and training to support teams and families.
  • How can physiotherapy help children living with ABI?

    Children with ABI differ from adults in that their brains (their movement control centre) and their musculoskeletal system (bones and muscles) are not yet fully developed. ABI impacts on a child’s ability to control movement making muscles floppy (low toned or flaccidity), stiff (high toned or spasticity) or uncoordinated (dystonia and ataxia). Children learn through movement they explore play and learn about, depth, shape, texture, volume distance and harm by moving through their environment. When moving is difficult learning becomes a greater challenge.

    Stiff, floppy or uncoordinated muscles pull on the immature and growing skeleton and this can cause developmental problems such as scoliosis, contractures and joint problems especially in the hips.

    Physiotherapists work to re-educate more normal movement patterns and treat and manage the muscles to maximise the child’s opportunity to learn through movement, and reduce the impact of the pull on growing bones

    Our physiotherapists can work with a child at school or at home, we have physiotherapists working in our Greater Manchester, Lancashire and  Yorkshire communities.

  • Supporting Clients at Home

    Home-based ABI physiotherapy allows us to:

    • Address challenges within the client’s home, care setting, or supported accommodation
    • Focus on real-life tasks such as transfers, mobility within the home, and using stairs safely
    • Avoid travel fatigue or overstimulation from clinical environments
    • Provide flexible, consistent therapy that fits around the client’s wider rehabilitation schedule

    Our community-based approach helps embed rehabilitation into the client’s daily routines and living spaces, ensuring therapy remains practical, achievable, and meaningful.

  • Who We Work With

    We regularly support:

    • Adults and young people following acquired brain injury
    • Families and carers seeking specialist neurorehab at home
    • Case Managers managing complex ABI rehabilitation and litigation cases
    • Solicitors coordinating funding and legal support for brain injury claims
    • NHS and Social Care teams seeking additional community-based neurological input
    • All of our team regularly support their local Headway Groups in Salford, Stockport, Rotherham and Huddersfield and link to them

    We provide clear reports, SMART goals, timely assessments, and transparent costings to support rehabilitation planning, case management, and funding processes.

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If you or your client require specialist home-based brain injury physiotherapy, we’re here to help.

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Chartered Physiotherapists

Experts in Neurorehabilitation – Home Visit Specialists

Valued by families
Collaborative MDT members
Trusted by case managers & solicitors
Timely, transparent reporting

About SP Therapy Services

Reviews

"The team at SP Therapy Services are always professional and understand the need for client centred goals . It has been a pleasure to have Rebecca's support to enable one of her clients to connect with me and engage in Equine Facilitated learning sessions. Their support is much appreciated ."

Sarah Squires Grimbleby

"Susan Patterson at SP Therapy has supported Headway Salford for many years, and her dedication to the brain injury community is truly something special. She consistently goes above and beyond to make a difference for people living with brain injuries and the families supporting them.

Susan is the founder of the North West Brain Injury Forum, which has brought professionals and organisations together to improve support, understanding, and collaboration across the region. Her passion for raising awareness and improving services for those affected by brain injury shines through in everything she does.

Her commitment and hard work have rightly been recognised, including receiving the Headway Salford “Above and Beyond” Award. It’s a well-deserved honour for someone who gives so much of her time, knowledge, and compassion to others.

Susan is a true advocate for the brain injury community and a valued supporter of Headway Salford. People like Susan make a real difference, and the impact of her work continues to be felt by so many."

Sam Ashcroft

"SP Therapy Services have been a fantastic support to Headway Rotherham. Their visits to our group have made a real difference, especially through their engaging and accessible chair-based exercise sessions, which our members really enjoy and benefit from.

They are not only professional and knowledgeable, but also genuinely warm and encouraging, helping everyone feel comfortable and included. We are particularly grateful for their ongoing support in raising funds for our charity, which shows their commitment goes far beyond their sessions.

We highly value our partnership with SP Therapy Services and look forward to continuing to work together."

Sadie Bratt

"Very professional service and high quality of reports and communication to ensure best practice and outcomes for my clients."

Elaine O'Flaherty

"Excellent service! As always. I have worked with SP Therapy services now for close to 18 years and I rate them highly."

Linda Jooste

"I am delighted to endorse the team at SP Therapy Services. They consistently provide exceptional therapy and support their practice with sound, detailed documentation, which always arrives in a timely manner. The friendly clinicians are a credit to this fabulous company and it is evident that they always keep their patients at the centre of everything they do."

Janet Penny

"SP Therapy Services has supported Greater Manchester Spinal Injury Group for many years. Susan and Rebecca have demonstrated knowledge and skill and been adaptable to working in community settings. I would have no hesitation in recommending SP Therapy Services."

Greater Manchester Spinal Injury Group

"I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to Sue for everything she has done for our daughter who has FND.
Her patience, encouragement, and expertise have made such a difference, and we are truly grateful for the care that she has given to her ."

Julie Meara

"I referred one of my clients to SP Therapy Services for physiotherapy input. Jayne and the team have worked really hard to help my client meet and exceed their goals in a short period of time. They have provided regular updates and have been professional and empathetic at all times with my client and their family. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services."

Grace Heppinstall
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