A muscle contracts in response to a signal from the brain. Brain or nerve damage due to injury or disease can disrupt these signals and cause an abnormal muscle contraction in the form of muscle spasms and/or spasticity.

Muscle spasms are uncontrolled jerking movements which can occur at night or can be triggered by propelling a wheelchair over an uneven surface for example. The uncontrolled and unanticipated nature of these spasms can be very debilitating and make a person anxious about moving.

At SP Therapy Services our Neurological Physiotherapists are experts in how the muscles and joints of the bodywork together to produce purposeful movement and are therefore skilled in tailoring treatment plans to treat and manage spasticity and spasms.

As well as exercise this plan may include:

– The use of BoTox (or Botulinum Toxin) which is commonly used to support therapy goals.

– The use of orthoses (splinting).

– The use of Lycra Garments which are made to measure by specialist fitters.

The ability to maintain a stable, symmetrical body alignment against gravity is termed postural control and is a crucial part of how we interact with the world. Core stability is the framework of muscles that provide postural control and are centred around the pelvis and lower spine. Effective core stability provides a solid foundation for movement.

Many neurological conditions impact on an individual’s posture. Assessing and addressing the issues causing a change in a person’s posture can improve the way they move.

Bespoke exercise and mobility programmes help maximise soft tissue length and joint range of movement. Physiotherapy helps improve the flexibility of the muscles and joints to improve core stability and thereby improve an individual’s posture and opportunities to move more freely within that position.

Mobility and strength training can be thought of like your way to move easier and get physically fitter!

Many neurological conditions are characterised by stiff or weak muscles that make daily activities challenging. Movement is effortful and so you are more likely to avoid being active which in turn leads to increased stiffness and weak muscles.

Mobility and strength training can help. Following an assessment, exercises can be designed to help you to improve or to maintain your level of independence in skills such as moving from lying to sitting or sitting to standing

Being mobile and strong will facilitate your ability to walk and reduce the risk of falling. At SP Therapy Services our Physiotherapist’s can provide you with a bespoke program for you to do at home or in your gym. We aim to make exercise programs challenging, fun and most importantly functional to help you improve.

Hydrotherapy (also known as Aquatic Therapy) refers to exercise in warm water. Hydrotherapy differs from swimming as it involves specific exercises that are performed in a warm-water pool.

Many individuals with neurological conditions find their performance in the water is better than on dry land.

Prior to hydrotherapy you will need an Initial Assessment which takes place on land, out of the pool. This will establish your goals, taking into consideration your individual needs in terms of changing facilities and access to the pool as well as health and safety precautions for Hydrotherapy.

SP Therapy Services has links with a variety of hydrotherapy pools within the community. Our assessment of these facilities will consider all your potential needs including changing facilities, access to the pool and the all-important parking.

Gait is the term we use to describe how we walk and the efficient mechanisms involved.

You may have heard of the “Gait Cycle” which expresses how human beings walk and is split into two components: Stance Phase and Swing Phase. The average person’s Stance phase accounts for 58-62% of the cycle and Swing Phase is usually 38-42% of the cycle.

At SP Therapy Services our Physiotherapists are trained to observe and analyse an individual’s walking pattern to identify problem areas. We can then work with the individual through exercise and re-training; providing feedback to improve their mobility.
Following neurological injury there can be muscle changes such as weakness and/ or tightness. This can impact on the walking pattern, affecting the timing of each phase and between each leg and causing walking to become more effortful and less steady.

We are all aware of the fantastic achievements of our Paralympians.

Not everyone can aspire to be at that level; however, engaging in physical activity is important for everyone.

Sometimes when faced with a movement problem it is difficult to know what is safe and will not cause harm.

At SP Therapy Services our Physiotherapists take a very positive approach to disability sport and inclusive activities, encouraging involvement in physical activity.

Team members have supported elite athletes as well as assisted in the development of locally accessible community walk. Everyone is different.

Balance is very complex. When it is affected it can be extremely debilitating for a person. Ability to maintain equilibrium requires strong muscles, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness and ability to coordinate visual, sensory and motor information at the same time.

Disruption to one or more of these domains due to injury, illness or ageing can cause symptoms ranging from vertigo and dizziness to uncoordinated or inefficient movements and ataxia. Muscle weakness, stiffness or deconditioning can be equally impairing. All these factors can result in falls! Therefore, in successful balance training and falls prevention, all the balance components need to be addressed.

At SP Therapy Services our Physiotherapist are highly skilled at assessing the various components that makeup balance, identifying the problematic component and establishing a program of exercise to address the individual’s needs.

Choice of vestibular rehabilitation, balance training or falls prevention course can be recommended and delivered by our experienced team of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. Individual therapy, group activities or community-based activities may be used depending on the needs of the individual.