Stroke Rehabilitation

July 30, 2022

Welcome to the Topic “Stroke rehabilitation ”

Strokes are very common medical issues, but few are aware of the exact symptoms, causes, or treatments. Strokes are basically attacks on your brain that may be caused due to a ruptured artery or a blocked artery within your body. Essentially, the blood supply meant to reach the specific part of the brain does not, leading that part to be damaged or, in more extreme cases, die. The consequences of a stroke are relatively severe and last throughout the patient’s life, making it a painful condition.

The brain is responsible for movements, memories, motor coordination, higher executive function, and controlling any communication between itself and the body. Therefore, any part of the brain being damaged also damages the body’s functions. Depending on the part that is damaged or dead, patients may experience several of the following common symptoms:

Perception difficulties
Confusion
Difficulty seeing
Severe headaches
Difficulty in walking, talking, or moving as usual
Slurred or grossly disorganized speech and movements

What to Know Before Rehabilitation

Any of these symptoms may occur immediately as the patient suffers the onset and well after the stroke has passed. There are several treatments and strategies for rehabilitation for stroke patients. However, for the most part, strokes prove to inflict long-lasting and irreversible damage on the patients. Rehabilitation for stroke patients begins immediately during the stroke, and the medical team may administer intensive care for the first few days. Afterward, rehabilitation teams may focus on easing the patients back into their lives and helping them adjust to their new condition seamlessly.

There is no time limit on recovery from a stroke; while some may recover within weeks, others may take months or may never fully recover. The path to recovery may differ for all stroke patients, so it is essential to be mindful of the patient’s prognosis when detailing rehabilitation treatments and therapies. Depending on the type of stroke and the recovery time, rehabilitation could look very different for the patients.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is one of the essential parts of recovery treatments after a stroke. It is generally recommended that patients complete at least an hour of physiotherapy every day after their stroke – provided they are strong enough. However, most of the time, doctors may have higher expectations from patients who actually require more assistance than they first thought. Physiotherapy will tackle the patient’s issues with balance and stability, along with strength and flexibility training.

The stroke may have caused damage to neural connections, and to rebuild those connections, it is crucial to go back to step one and learn the most basic of functions, such as walking, standing, and moving your limbs at will with precision. Furthermore, stroke survivors may also have to deal with paralysis; most of the time, one side of the body is affected. Another part of physiotherapy is learning how to move and go about life even without using those paralyzed limbs.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy in stroke rehabilitation will aid the patients in learning the skills needed to adjust to their new life and relearn some aspects they no longer remember. The most important task of an occupational therapist is to aid survivors in managing personal tasks independently; these include but are not limited to bathing, washing, feeding, using the bathroom, and everyday tasks. Further down the recovery path, occupational therapists may aid the patient in performing more complex tasks such as relearning to drive, cleaning their room, or preparing basic meals. All these tasks require perfect motor coordination, and the therapist is responsible for ensuring that the patient regains that coordination, strength, and balance to perform daily life functions.

Speech Therapy

As mentioned in the list of symptoms, stroke patients may also suffer from disorganized speech and difficulty in articulating. Stroke patients may also have trouble understanding other people. Here, speech therapists will be essential to their rehabilitation and recovery. Such issues with speech may also be categorized under “aphasia,” which speech therapists are equipped to treat. They may begin the treatment of the patient with the most foundational knowledge of pronunciation and phonics. Being patient with stroke survivors is essential because they will have varying times and levels of success. Eventually, stroke survivors may be able to regain their previous abilities to communicate through speech therapy.

Psychological Rehabilitation

Strokes can cause irreparable damage to the brain, and besides affecting the rest of the body, they mainly impact the higher executive functions of the affected individual. How a person forms thoughts, strings together concepts, plans, and organizes are all functions that are affected by the onset of the stroke. Rehabilitation must therefore include psychological counseling and treatment as well. Psychological rehabilitation may involve facilitating the patients dealing with depression and anxiety. Both these mental states will affect how the patient responds to the rest of the treatments. It is crucial to ensure that the patient is mentally healthy and motivated enough to handle the recovery process.

Electromechanical Assisted Training

With the constant improvements in technology, it is not surprising that robots are being used for the rehabilitation of patients with various medical conditions and diseases. Similarly, electromechanically assisted or robotic gait training is used for stroke patients to aid their overground gait. These devices are much more effective for both the patients and the therapist due to their automated nature. However, more research needs to be done, and the devices need to be more reasonably priced and readily available to benefit the medical industry as a whole.

Cardiorespiratory Training

Because the stroke results from a lack of oxygen for the brain, stroke survivors may require cardiorespiratory training following the attack. A stroke significantly damages the blood circulation and fluid levels throughout an individual’s body, so it is crucial to help the patient return to their previous blood circulation levels. This particular treatment involves a host of exercise programs, including overground walking, treadmill training, virtual reality training, and much more. The goal is to regulate blood flow and oxygen throughout the body and regain the blood flow and fluid levels prior to the stroke.

Have any questions regarding the topic “Stroke rehabilitation” feel free to comment below.

Also Read: Ataxia rehabilitation

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Ataxia Rehabilitation

July 30, 2022

Welcome to the Topic “Ataxia rehabilitation ”

Ataxia is a medical condition that results in involuntary muscle movement due to poor motor coordination. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a disease, so it is essential to understand where the condition originates before any further steps can be taken after the initial diagnosis. Ataxia is usually a part of a more extensive presenting complaint, other components of the patient’s medical condition must be investigated before further actions.

The condition generally has a slow prognosis, but a more severe and rapid onset is also possible. The latter is particularly probable if the condition is a result of infection or hemorrhage. Both these things can speed up the progression of ataxia and prove to be disastrous for the patient.

Ataxia is characterized by impaired coordination and subsequent issues in muscle movement. Furthermore, the condition usually impacts any of the following: spinal cord, brain stem, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and some additional parts. Therefore, the most common symptoms include unsteady walking, errors in balancing and rhythm, tremors in the body, and skewed perception. Additionally, patients with ataxia may also suffer from slurred speech, issues with eating, and even heart problems, although the latter is not that common.

Setting Goals for Rehabilitation

Although there is no cure for ataxia, rehabilitation therapies still exist. The primary goal of these therapies and treatments is to improve the patient’s quality of life after the diagnosis. There are many types of ataxia, and different patients may struggle with distinguished symptoms. Hence, creating a treatment plan for ataxia and beginning rehabilitation is a highly personal process for the patient.

Before embarking on any treatment plan or rehabilitation program, consulting a health professional that is well-versed with the patient’s condition is of utmost importance – if the condition is comorbid with other diseases, some exercises or therapies may not be applicable. That said, all health professionals apply some standard treatment options to be used in addition to medicines.

Physiotherapy

One of the goals of rehabilitation for patients with ataxia is to help them stay active for as long as possible. Involuntary muscle movements take a toll on physical health and mental exhaustion, so physiotherapy comprises an essential part of rehabilitation for ataxia patients. There are two main ways physiotherapy can help such patients.

Firstly, the physiotherapist may aid the patient by introducing them to devices and strategies to help their movements while controlling their involuntary actions. While this will limit patients’ freedom, it also makes it much easier for them to move appropriately. This approach is beneficial for patients that experience severe tremors. On the other hand, the physiotherapist may focus on the underlying damage to the cerebellum and spinal cord. Both these approaches aim to help patients regain their balance and rhythm to improve the most basic functions such as walking and perceiving.

Strength Training

Similar to physiotherapy, patients with ataxia may have to be engaged in strength and flexibility training. While physiotherapy may generally be focused on balance, rhythm, and fall prevention, strength training may be more specialized towards the constant use and energy within the muscles. Tremors and instability may significantly affect a patient’s strength; perhaps they were never that strong, to begin with. Therefore, strength training becomes a crucial part of rehabilitation – without this foundational strength training, there would be no point in other treatments. Here, the rehabilitation may involve yoga and pilates, both of which build strength, flexibility, and balance within an individual.

Video Game-based Training

Ataxia does not only prevail in adults but children may be affected by it too. Treatments for children require a different approach, one that aids them in rehabilitation, holds their attention, and entertains them. In this case, video game-based training is common for children struggling with ataxia. Although a somewhat newer development for ataxia rehabilitation, whole body videogames are being increasingly integrated into treatments for such patients. These video games involve intensive training for muscle coordination – done right, it can be an extremely effective treatment for children with ataxia.

Occupational Therapy

When it comes to ataxia, one of the things patients struggle most with is molding the environment according to their condition. Depending on the stage of the medical condition, patients with ataxia may require wheelchairs or other devices to aid their movement. Knowing how to use these devices becomes an indispensable part of rehabilitation. These patients must learn how to use these aids in the correct way. Although it might not be common knowledge, the wrong usage of wheelchairs may contribute to postural support and, consequently, to issues with balance and stability. Providing patients with ataxia with the skills and knowledge they need to move independently is an essential task for the medical team.

Treadmill Training

As mentioned earlier, one of the most apparent symptoms of ataxia is trouble with walking. This is due to instability and balance issues resulting from perception distortions. Learning to walk can be quite the task, particularly for adults, who are more prone to getting injured when falling. While the patients may use other devices to aid them in their gait, treadmill training is being increasingly used for rehabilitation for ataxia patients. Consistent treadmill training is extremely beneficial for ataxia caused by brain injuries. However, it must be noted that professionals must combine this type of training with the training over the still ground.

Hydrotherapy

A form of treatment that is becoming more and more popular in rehabilitation for various injuries is hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy involves a host of activities that use water to aid a patient’s healing and recovery. People with ataxia are encouraged to exercise in whatever way they can. If patients struggle with regular exercises, it might be beneficial to introduce them to hydrotherapy, which usually involves movement and activities within a pool. The water provides a degree of freedom to the patients that may not be accessible on land. However, it is essential to keep in mind that these patients may need extra care, are at a higher risk in a body of water than others, and require a watchful eye.

Have any questions regarding the topic “Ataxia rehabilitation “ feel free to comment below.

Also Read: Spinal cord injury rehabilitation

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Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation

July 30, 2022

Welcome to the Topic “Multiple Sclerosis rehabilitation“

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the functioning of the central nervous system. Depending on where the central nervous system is injured, the prognosis of the disease is usually quite varied; in other words, it can be reasonably stable or, on the flip side, a quickly developing illness. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the condition results in inflammation, demyelination, and loss of neurons.

The symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis result from an abnormal response of the immune system against the central nervous system. The central nervous system comprises the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, so the inflammation damages the insulation around the nerve fibers. Generally, medicine is one of the most important aspects of rehabilitation from Multiple Sclerosis, but there are several other therapies as well.

Setting Goals for Rehabilitation

Dealing with Multiple Sclerosis with medicines alone is not the solution, so various types of therapies must be used in conjunction with the medicine. This is because the effects of the disease extend beyond physical damage, so multiple areas need to be tackled to aid a patient in dealing with their condition.

Discussing the prognosis with a health professional is crucial. It determines the course of the patient’s treatment and what should comprise the rehabilitation process. Different patients will struggle with different aspects of their life, so it is essential to discuss with a professional what route the treatment is going to take to make it most effective for the patient. The following guide contains some of the most common therapies used for Multiple Sclerosis patients and their rehabilitation. Still, depending on the severity of the disease and the stage, there is always the possibility of additional professional help required.

Occupational Therapy

As with any major disease, patients may find it extremely difficult to adjust to life after the diagnosis. This is where occupational therapists can take the lead. Common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include fatigue, muscle spasms, numbness in limbs, and on a more extreme level, problems with executive functions such as thinking, planning, and organizing. There is no doubt that patients with MS would find it highly challenging to return to their daily life before such a condition, so occupational therapy will help ease the process. The goal of occupational therapy is to equip the patient with the tools and knowledge they need to make life after diagnosis easier and live independently. Adapting to your environment can be a tricky task on its own, but with the help of an occupational therapist, MS patients can adjust to their new life much easier.

Physical Therapy

One of the main consequences of MS is a limitation in movement – this may be due to the level of pain caused in a specific part of your body, issues with balancing yourself, and unfounded fatigue. Depending on the level of pain a patient experiences or difficulty in movement, a patient with MS may be asked to perform several exercises independently. In contrast, others may require the help of a physiotherapist to rebuild their strength and regain their muscle. Here, the physiotherapist may recommend activities to keep yourself flexible, improve motor coordination and balance to prevent yourself from falling, and how to use aid for physical movements.

Speech Therapy

A disease affecting the brain can also affect your speech. Although it is not an extremely common symptom, the possibility of MS causing issues in how you speak still exists. In this situation, speech therapy becomes another critical aspect of rehabilitation for Multiple Sclerosis. A speech therapist tests the level of difficulty you face with your speech and helps you exercise your mouth the same way a physiotherapist may help with exercising the rest of your body. On a more extreme note, speech therapy may also help if a patient finds it difficult to swallow normally.

Psychological Rehabilitation

As mentioned earlier, MS can affect how you think, plan, organize and perform other executive functions. Like all the other muscles in your body, your brain is a muscle too. While physical therapy may help build strength and endurance in the rest of your body, psychological or cognitive rehabilitation will help a patient with MS build strength for the brain. Because MS targets the brain as well, a patient affected by it may need to learn different strategies and ways to adjust to this change in their brain.

The effect of MS is not purely cognitive, though. Because the disease impacts your brain, it can also send mixed signals to you regarding your mood. Besides the mood changes, a patient with MS may also struggle with the knowledge of the diagnosis and find it extremely difficult to adapt to their new life. Even with a team of health professionals, it is easy to slip into a depressive mindset and face psychological issues with the knowledge of this diagnosis. In this case, a patient with MS must receive counseling or psychotherapy. It can be easy to simply attempt to motivate a patient with MS to deal with this challenging time in their life, but most of the time, mental health professionals are crucial to help a patient adjust to their condition and life.

Vocational Rehabilitation

An autoimmune disorder can affect all areas of the patient’s life; their home life, work, and recreational activities. Although occupational therapists also cater to vocational rehabilitation, a patient with MS may face more issues with their work life than the other areas. Sometimes, it might even require specific vocational therapy, as may be the case with Multiple Sclerosis.

By working with a vocational therapist, a patient with MS can identify all the changes that need to be made to accommodate their condition and how they can make the environment a more comfortable and safe space for them. Furthermore, a vocational rehabilitation therapist may aid a patient with MS in finding and brushing up on skills they need for jobs that suit their condition rather than those that become difficult to perform. They may also recommend ways to make the work environment more feasible for patients with MS, which the patient can suggest to the workplace administrators.

Have any questions regarding the topic “Multiple Sclerosis rehabilitation” feel free to comment below.

Also Read: Spinal cord injury rehabilitation

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Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

July 29, 2022

Welcome to the Topic “Spinal cord injury rehabilitation”

As is apparent in the name, a spinal cord injury results from physical trauma to the spinal cord. This type of injury generally has a lasting impact on almost all areas of one’s daily life. The spinal cord sends messages from the brain to all other parts of the body; the spine contains numerous nerves that extend from the brain to the rest of the body. These nerves are responsible for communicating the messages that allow our limbs to move freely as our brain desires. Therefore, any injury to the spinal cord disrupts that communication, possibly leading to paralysis throughout the body.

As mentioned earlier spinal cord injuries are caused by physical trauma, usually due to an accident. Other causes may include violent events such as gunshots, knife wounds, diving accidents, or sports-related injuries. Some of the most common symptoms include paralysis, issues with walking, loss of bladder control, headaches, back pain, numbness in the body, and difficulty or inability to move your limbs. Besides the physical symptoms, psychological symptoms could include insomnia, depression, anxiety, and somatic manifestations of psychological symptoms.

Setting Goals for Rehabilitation

There is no surgical procedure to reverse the damage caused by spinal cord injuries, but several rehabilitation strategies have been used in recent years. Keep in mind that rehabilitation strategies for spinal cord injury patients are not magical cures; it is simply impossible to eliminate the neurological damage caused by such an injury. However, it is possible to limit the damage caused by the injury or slow its prognosis depending on the stage of the injury.

When setting goals for rehabilitation with a health professional, it is crucial to focus on restoring the previous quality of life rather than the functions. SCI patients may require wheelchairs and ventilation, and it is essential to help them adjust to this new life so that they can perform their daily activities with little to no assistance. The stage of the injury may dictate the treatments used throughout rehabilitation so no single treatment can be used for all patients with SCI.

Exercising

One of the primary treatments for SCI patients in rehabilitation is exercising, particularly strength training and stretching. Most SCI patients have paralysis, and although it may be easier to simply get used to it, it is also essential to preserve and protect one’s joints and muscles. Depending on the level of injury, it is possible that the arms can still move, so exercising to strengthen the upper body can aid in mobility in daily life, where the legs cannot move. These exercises are fundamental because an SCI patient is usually a wheelchair user, so learning how to navigate that life with ease is absolutely essential for them.

Functional Electrical Stimulation

Functional electrical stimulation involves electrical current pulses that aim to activate sensory-motor systems, which are the major damaged areas in a spinal cord injury. The electrical pulses attempt to produce a current through the neural pathways to stimulate one’s muscles and consequently cause movement. In short, functional electrical stimulation therapy is an artificial way to try and get your body to move. The goal is to increase mobility, and sensory reception, improve motor coordination, and create a balance in movements.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy targets a wide area of an individual’s life, including sensory, physical, and cognitive issues. All these areas are crucial for daily life, and that is precisely what occupational therapy hopes to solve and stabilize. In occupational therapy, the goal is to ease an SCI patient into everyday life and help them find their standing in society. The treatment revolves around the more refined movements and tasks related to the patient’s life and adapting the patient and their condition to the environment. These may include dressing, bathing, respiratory exercises, bladder control, and much more. Different environments will now require various new movements and actions, so patients must learn how to adapt to their home life, transport, work, and other settings.

Exoskeletons

A more expensive form of treatment for SCI patients is exoskeletons. These are robotic devices attached to a patient’s limbs to help them move more quickly and walk. The goal is to use these exoskeletons to help patients get used to repeating movements of their limbs until they can eventually move around freely. However, this is not widely used for rehabilitation as there are several constraints, including but not limited to: finance, body types, height, and weight.

Cardiovascular Treatments

Most SCI patients suffer from cardiovascular issues besides paralysis. In fact, one of the common causes of death in SCI issues seems to be cardiovascular diseases. While the rehabilitation is focusing on physical exercises, it is also crucial to provide training to the patients regarding cardiac rhythms and blood pressure. These exercises are designed for the upper limbs, and they stimulate blood pressure throughout the body with more ease. In addition, patients must also be taught breathing techniques, secretion management, and postural changes that affect pulmonary functions – this is particularly important for patients in the acute stages of SCI. Furthermore, patients need to get used to balancing themselves upright while sitting down. This may be done through orthostatic hypotension, which involves using a tilt table to help patients sit in a vertical position so they can seamlessly transfer to a wheelchair later on.

Psychological Treatments

It is not surprising that patients that face such physical trauma are also psychologically disturbed, some more than others. Therefore, psychological treatment becomes essential for such a patient to process their injury and its lasting effect on their daily life. Depending on the cause of the damage, there may be a host of psychological issues to deal with, such as depression, denial, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Psychological treatments should begin as early as possible because the patient may be suffering psychologically from the moment of the injury – a mentally unhealthy patient may take longer to adapt to their new life and even respond minimally to other aspects of the rehabilitation. Therefore, psychotherapy and group therapy may be incredible tools for the team responsible for the patient.

Have any questions regarding the topic “Spinal cord injury rehabilitation” feel free to comment below.

Also Read: Parkinson’s disease rehabilitation

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Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation

July 29, 2022

Welcome to the Topic “Parkinson’s disease rehabilitation”

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that results in uncontrolled and uncoordinated motor movements. It might initially manifest as tremors and shaking but over time, the symptoms worsen and lead to extreme difficulty in balancing oneself and moving regularly; at this point, some may even struggle with walking and talking.

Several therapies are used to combat Parkinson’s disease, some of the most widely used being deep brain stimulation and physiotherapy. In any case, before trying any sort of therapy, it is crucial to consult your doctor; trying out rehab for Parkinson’s is no easy feat, and you must not attempt it without the supervision of a team of health professionals.

Because Parkinson’s is a disease that affects motor movements, it is common practice to resort to physiotherapy and exercises to treat the patients. Professionals experienced in physical rehabilitation can expertly guide individuals regarding movements that will help them find the balance and strength needed for accurate movements. Physical therapy also helps create the muscle required to perform those actions; patients may lose this strength since the onset of the disease, so it is crucial to build this foundation as patients begin regaining their sense of control of their movements. This is a guide to rehabilitation for Parkison’s disease.

Setting Goals with Your Therapist

There is no one right way for rehabilitation. No matter the disease and the stage of illness, it is crucial to set individual goals with your therapist. Although some common therapeutic interventions are used by all therapists, setting personal goals with them can help them cater the treatment to your particular conditions. Trying to apply a general form of training and therapy will not benefit your condition, so it is crucial to sort out your aims and goals of training with your therapist. That way, they will know precisely which areas to target and how to facilitate you to the best of their abilities.

Reciprocal Patterns

By definition, reciprocal means corresponding. When applied to treatments, reciprocal patterns include similar movements that correspond to each other—for example, walking as you move your arms. Such simple actions, which we usually don’t have to think twice about, are affected by Parkinson’s disease, so it is understandable why these are a focal point to target in physical therapies. The idea is to create a sense of rhythm in the movements to slow the progression of poor coordination in patients with Parkinson’s. The treatment may be started by encouraging patients to walk while performing another action, such as swinging their arms or singing in a rhythm. Over time, they may be prompted to try a more complex physical therapy that involves coordinating movements, such as tai chi.

Gait Training

Parkison’s disease is a brain disorder that affects your sense of balance. This sense of balance is usually created through visual stimuli, the inner ear, and the sense of your feet touching the ground. With the onset of Parkinson’s, this balance is affected and often lost. It involves one of the most significant tasks in your life: walking. In this situation, gait training is the most commonly administered physical therapy. Because the gait of a Parkinson’s patient becomes more unstable as the disease prevails, it is crucial to help them practice to walk as they used to. It seems like a minor issue that you need a bit of extra help to walk, but remember that it is much more challenging to teach an adult how to walk regularly than it is for a child. A professional will be able to help such a patient and aid them in understanding and implementing other ways they can make up for their loss in balance.

Amplitude Training

One type of physical therapy is known as Amplitude Training, alternatively known as LSVT or Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. Amplitude generally means magnitude; according to this definition, Amplitude Training requires the patient to make exaggerated physical movements. In other words, increase the magnitude of regular movements. A patient who has Parkinson’s may be used to shuffling and jerking slightly. So, by making exaggerated movements, they get used to making slower, bigger movements that slow the progression of the small movements.

Stretching

Parkison’s disease causes small, jerky, and uncontrolled movements. While these movements are a separate issue, it is essential to keep in mind the effect they may have on the patient’s body. Typically, we are used to coordinated movements and fluid patterns. When that connection and coordination are disturbed, it is only natural that it takes a toll on your body. Patients with Parkisons’ disease might experience tightness in their bodies and additional pain in their muscles. One of the most common exercises to combat that soreness and stiffness is to stretch regularly. Flexibility becomes a key asset for patients with Parkinson’s disease, and helping them build that flexibility through stretching exercises becomes crucial.

Strength Training

As mentioned earlier, another aim of physiotherapy is to rebuild the muscle strength needed to perform coordinated movements. This is particularly important for older patients of Parkison’s as muscles naturally weaken as the patient grows older. However, it is important to remember that depending on the stage of the disorder, younger patients may face precisely the same issue. For strength training issues, patients may be asked to do resistance exercises developed to build strength within their bodies. A resistance band may be used as an initial exercise because it is a reasonably safe option compared to dumbbells. Throughout the therapy, the patient may be encouraged to branch out to different resistance training, such as pool-based therapy, in which the water’s resistance is used to strengthen the body.

Speech therapy

Parkinson’s does not only affect the movements of your limbs; it also affects the actions of your mouth. As such, Parkison’s patients may struggle with talking. For this, speech therapy is essential. Depending on the stage of the disease, the patient may find it extremely difficult to articulate themselves in any form. Speech therapies may focus on talking techniques, including non-verbal communication, conserving energy, swallowing correctly, and pronunciation guides. The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment may be particularly useful in speech correction.

Have any questions regarding the topic “Parkinson’s disease rehabilitation” feel free to comment below.

Also Read: Motion – Mind, Body, and Spirit

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Does Exercise Increase Bone Density?

February 15, 2022

How often do you exercise?

Three times a week? Once a week?

Not even once?

We all know exercise is crucial and still, we neglect doing it thinking that I don’t need it now… or I’ll do it tomorrow.

But have you noticed one thing?

The ‘tomorrow’ for your exercise never came.

Exercise is essential no matter your age, gender, health status, or occupation.

You can, and you should perform exercises if you are recovering from a disease, accident, or even if you’re healthy.

Not performing exercise not only makes you sluggish but also increases the risk of developing health-related problems. Let’s have a look at some of the common benefits of exercise.

Exercise improves your mood and helps to cope with depression or anxiety.
Exercise increases blood flow in different areas of your body.
Exercise promotes bone growth and decreases bone loss.
Exercise helps to lose excess body weight and prevents weight gain.
Exercise helps to keep your blood sugar under control.
Exercise prevents you from body aches and pain.
Exercise helps to decrease the risks of heart problems.
Exercise makes you healthy and strong.

How does exercise help improve bone density?

You must be thinking about this question, and that’s why we would like to explain it briefly to help you understand the effect of exercise on your bone density.

The effect of exercise on muscles is evident when you observe someone doing exercise regularly in a gym or park. The muscles grow in size and become strong. Like a muscle, bone is also living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger.

Julius Wolff was a surgeon by profession, and he theorized that bone would adapt to the repeated loads under which it is placed. He proposed that if load to a bone increases, remodeling will occur so that the bone is better equipped to resist such loads. This is known as Wolff’s Law.

So what does this mean?

It means that the more load you place on your bone, the more it will grow. And there is another side to this law. If you do not place enough load on your bone, it’ll lose its strength. This usually happens in patients who are bed-bound for several months to years.

The best way to put a load on your bones is by performing exercises. Performing the loading exercises will improve your bone strength and strengthen your muscles.

Something Important You Must Know

People who exercise regularly generally achieve greater bone density and strength than those who do not. Studies have proved that bone mass or density peaks during the third decade of life (the 30s). After that time, we can begin to lose bone.

Women and men older than age 20 can help prevent bone loss with regular exercise. And if you are older than 30, you can cope with this bone loss by performing regular exercise.

What type of exercise is good for your bone health?

You should know that not every exercise puts a load on your bone and results in an increase in bone density. Therefore, you must be well aware of the type of exercises that appropriately load your bones.

Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are the best for your bones.

Weight-bearing exercises force you to work against gravity. They include the following.

Walking
Hiking
Jogging
Climbing stairs
Playing tennis
Dancing etc.

Resistance exercises are the exercise in which you exert force against some resistance, such as weights, pulleys, etc. These exercises can also strengthen bones.

Other exercises such as swimming and bicycling can help build and maintain strong muscles and have excellent cardiovascular benefits, but they are not the best way to exercise your bones.

Important Tips for Exercise

When we exercise, our body’s systems, such as cardiovascular and respiratory systems, adjust according to the demands placed on the body. For example, if you perform strenuous exercise, your heart will beat faster than usual, increasing your respiratory rate. And when you stop the exercise, your heart and respiratory rate return to normal.

But this may or may not happen if you have some underlying problems such as heart or lungs conditions, recovering from an injury, or fighting a disease. This is why you must know about these important tips before you start your exercise.

According to the studies, the optimal duration for exercise is at least 30 minutes on most days, preferably daily.

Listen to your body

When you start exercising for the first time, you may have muscle soreness or pain that lasts more than 48 hours. If you are working too hard, you should stop exercising. If you feel any chest pain or discomfort, talk to your doctor about it before you start your next exercise session.

Avoid Vigorous Activities

If you have osteoporosis, a condition in which your bone density is low, learn about the safe activities for you. We recommend that you protect your spine by avoiding exercises or activities that flex, bend, or twist it. It would be best if you also avoid high-impact exercise to decrease the risk of breaking a bone.

Progress Slowly

You must learn the proper progression of activity, especially when performing resistance exercises. You should start with low weights and then gradually increase the weight as you start to feel comfortable. Not increasing the weights may cause progressively injury to your body.

Keep good body posture.

Posture is important when you perform resistance or weight-bearing exercises. For example, bending your spine excessively while lifting something from the ground may cause lower back pain. The posture is also essential to target specific areas of your body.

Choose exercises that suit you.

You must not compare yourself to anyone, and you should choose exercises that suit your condition. If you are recovering from a disease or an injury, performing every exercise you find on the internet or in books might not be possible. You should assess your condition, choose suitable exercise, and progress slowly.

Final Words

Exercise is crucial not only for your muscles and bone but for your whole body. For example, improving bone density and mass helps cope with bone loss in the late stages of life. Therefore, it is essential to know about the safe exercises to perform and yield maximum results.

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Safe Ways To Treat Chronic Pain Amidst The Opioid Epidemic

Safe Ways To Treat Chronic Pain Amidst The Opioid Epidemic

December 15, 2021

For someone suffering from chronic pain, even simple daily tasks can feel like arduous chores. From crushing joint, muscle or bone aches to psychological side effects like depression, it’s no surprise that results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed nearly 38 percent of adults in the US were prescribed opioids in 2015. But after President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency, alternative treatments for chronic pain may be put into motion sooner rather than later.

Regardless of the future of opioids, NewGait offers some suggestions for managing chronic pain a safe way.

Why Opioids are Dangerous

Aside from side effects like nausea, confusion, depression, sleepiness, and a decrease in sex drive, those using opioids are at risk for addiction and dosage increase due to tolerance development. Even more alarming, provisional counts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 45,788 people died from opioids over a 12-month period ending in January of 2017. One need not be an addict or abuse the drug to put themselves at risk, which is what makes safer alternatives a more desirable form of treatment.

Don’t Neglect Mental Health

The mental side effects are just as taxing as the physical — especially if it’s the patient’s first time experiencing discomfort via illness or injury. Clinical studies showcased evidence that mindfulness meditation can reduce chronic pain by 57 percent — over 90 percent if the participant has previous meditation experience. Remarkably, photos of the brain taken during meditation reflect calmer brain patterns that continue to improve with treatment. It’s because of positive results like these that hospital-affiliated pain clinics can prescribe this type of therapy to help patients cope with mental health in relation to chronic pain.

Oftentimes, anxiety and depression accompany chronic pain. Fortunately, there are other methods that can help with these side effects and they include psychotherapy, pet therapy, massage, yoga, art and music therapy, yoga, and tai chi. Physical activity may seem like the last thing someone in pain may want to do, but some exercise — even minimal — provides a natural painkiller because the body produces hormones called endorphins that work to increase pain tolerance, while endorphins unite with brain receptors to alter one’s perception of pain.

Find Ways to Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Anyone with chronic pain understands that stress and anxiety can often cause flare-ups, which, in turn, make stress and anxiety that much worse. If you find it difficult to clean your house, or the amount of clutter in your living space has gotten out of control, take steps to correct the problem. In addition to bringing in a cleaning service to give your home some TLC, you can also put some of your unused furniture into storage so you’ll have more space — and less clutter.

There are also some simple steps to take to help mitigate stress found at the workplace, an especially — and unfortunately, common — aspect of the job for those in leadership positions. One strategy is to replicate those who seem to be keeping their heads while others are losing theirs during trying periods. Sit down with them when things are calm and find out what their thought processes are, and be intentional about incorporating the same methods when trouble comes calling.

Try out a natural remedy

While it may be hard to get used to accepting natural remedies for chronic pain after taking prescription medication, research has proven that there are effective alternatives with virtually no side effects.

While it may be hard to get used to accepting natural remedies for chronic pain after taking prescription medication, research has proven that there are effective alternatives with virtually no side effects. For example, a study conducted by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians revealed that after 75 days of taking fish oil — an anti-inflammatory supplement — more than half of the 125 patients in the study stopped using their prescription painkillers. Turmeric is another anti-inflammatory supplement that has been proven to be effective.

Researchers found that the resveratrol found in berries and red wine (in moderation) works on a cellular level to regulate pain. On a more traditional level, old-school heat and cold therapies (think hot Epsom salt bat

Acceptance

No matter what path to relief a patient chooses, it’s helpful if acceptance is incorporated into a chronic pain treatment plan — particularly where mental health is concerned. Finding ways to manage the pain both physically and mentally can create the foundation for navigating this diagnosis and give you a better sense of control.

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What is Spinal Cord Injury?

What is Spinal Cord Injury?

December 12, 2021

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, as many as 450,000 people in the United States are living with a spinal cord injury (SCI)

Spinal cord injuries are commonly seen in traumatic incidents such as gunshot, motor vehicle accidents, falls, etc. These injuries can result in various symptoms ranging from sensory symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, etc., to motor control deficits such as paralysis. To understand spinal cord injury and its management, you should first know the structure and function of the spinal cord.

Spinal Cord – What Is It?

The spinal cord is a structure made up of neurons (cells) that connects your brain to the rest of your body. It lies within the center of your body and is present inside your spine (vertebral column). It is the continuation of your brain and starts from the point where the brain ends (beneath the skull). It then runs down in your spine and transmits signals from the brain to the rest of your body.

So if you want to move your hand to pick up a glass, your brain will generate a motor signal. This signal will travel down the spinal cord and ultimately reach your muscles via nerves originating from your spinal cord. Not only this, but the spinal cord also serves the function of carrying sensory signals to your brain. You can feel pain only when this sensation is conveyed to the brain via sensory nerves to the spinal cord to your brain.

This helps to understand that signal transmission is affected if the spinal cord is damaged, resulting in several sensory and motor symptoms.

What is Spinal Cord Injury?

Any damage to the spinal cord either because of trauma (gunshot, fall, assault, motor vehicle accident) or an infection (meningitis, transverse myelitis) is called Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).

Here we will focus mainly on traumatic spinal cord injury.

Trauma to the spinal cord can result in a variety of injuries. Spinal cord injuries are divided into several types based on the etiology and location of spinal cord injury.

Brown-Sequard Syndrome

Spinal cord injury (SCI), in which there is an injury to only one-half of the spinal cord, is called Brown Sequard Syndrome.

This injury commonly occurs because of penetration wounds such as gunshot or stab wounds.

Anterior Cord Syndrome

In this type of spinal cord injury, the anterior part of the spinal cord is damaged. This commonly occurs because of hyper-flexion of the spine at the neck that disrupts the blood supply of the anterior region coming from the anterior spinal artery.

Central Cord Syndrome

This is the most common syndrome associated with spinal cord injuries. In this type of spinal cord injury, the central part of the spinal cord is damaged due to hyper-extension of the spine at the neck. It is also associated with congenital narrowing of the spinal canal.

Cauda Equina Syndrome

This injury affects the terminal part of the spinal cord, i.e., Cauda Equina. It results from herniation of lumbar discs (outward movement of discs present between lumbar vertebrae). It can also occur due to traumatic injury in the lower back.

Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

The signs and symptoms of spinal cord injury depend upon the type of injury. Some common symptoms of spinal cord injuries are as follows.

Decreased muscles strength (paresis)
Paralysis of muscles
Sensory disturbances
Inability to feel touch and pressure below the site of lesion
Inability to feel pain or temperature below the site of lesion
Inability to sense the position of the body part in space (proprioception)
Problems with urination and defecation
Sexual problems
Problems with balance and coordination

Management of Spinal Cord Injury

The management of spinal cord injury is divided into the following sections.

Immobilization
Surgical Management
Pharmacological management
Physiotherapy Management
Orthotics Management

Let’s have a look at each section one by one.

Immobilization

It is necessary to immobilize the spine if you suspect spinal cord injury due to trauma to your vertebrae/spine. This is important because the injury can get worse if the patient is handled carelessly. Immobilization is achieved by using several braces such as soft and hard collars, Sterno-Occipital Mandibular Immobilization (SOMI) device, Halo vest, etc.

Surgical Management

Surgery is indicated following spinal cord injury to remove any foreign objects or ruptured discs, reduce fractured vertebrae, and decompress the spinal cord. Not all spinal cord injuries require surgical management, and some injuries can be managed non-operatively.

Pharmacological Management

Steroids play an essential role in suppressing secondary events following spinal cord injury and are widely used in SCI management. Several other drugs such as NSAIDs, Gabapentin, antidepressants are also used in SCI management.

Physical Therapy Management

Physiotherapy management plays a crucial role during sub-acute and chronic phases of spinal cord injuries. It involves respiratory muscles training (injury at cervical level), muscles strengthening and stretching exercises, balance and coordination exercises, gait training, etc.

It consists of the maximum protection phase, intermediate protection phase, and minimum protection phase. Outcomes of physiotherapy management depend upon the level of spinal cord injury—the higher the level of injury, the poorer the outcomes. Nearly 25% of spinal cord injury patients cannot ambulate independently if the cervical spine is involved.

Orthotics Management

Like the treatments mentioned above, orthotics management plays a vital role in managing spinal cord injury in acute, sub-acute, and chronic phases of recovery.

Orthoses help stabilize the spine so that the healing is not affected by unnecessary spine movements. They also provide support to the body that helps in functional rehabilitation.

Individuals with spinal cord injury at the cervical (neck) level are instructed to wear a halo brace that immobilizes the neck region. For managing the injuries involving the neck and upper back, cervical-thoracic orthosis (CTO) is recommended. Similarly, Thoraco-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis (TLSO) covers your whole back.

Lower limb orthoses such as Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (KAFO) or Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (HKAFO) are also used for assisting in ambulation following spinal cord injuries.

No matter which level is involved, spinal cord injury management is always multi-disciplinary and involves several healthcare professionals. Early detection of an injury is always a key to achieving better outcomes.

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Motion – Mind, Body, and Spirit

Motion – Mind, Body, and Spirit

December 12, 2021

Movement or motion is crucial for our body, no matter what we are going through. The movement puts your mind at peace and along with that, it keeps your body healthy.

If you can run, you should run.
If you are not able to run, you should walk.
If you cannot walk on your own, use assistive devices but walk.

Our brain controls the movement we do. If our brain is not functioning well, the movement gets a bit difficult.

The brain is the control center and is connected to our body parts. So whenever you move, a signal is generated from your brain that travels down to your body.

What is Mind?

We usually hear the two words, brain and mind, and are used synonymously. But they are different from each other. So what exactly is the difference between these two?

The difference between the brain and mind can become clear quickly if you know about computers and windows. The computer is hardware, and windows is the software that operates the computer.

The brain is a matter present in our skull, and the mind is the operating system that controls this piece of matter. In other words, our brain is the computer, and the mind is the software that runs it.

The mind consists of mental states such as thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and attitudes, and the brain allows us to experience these mental states.

Why is Mind-Body Connection Important?

Like computers or mobile phones having different software operate differently, the same thing applies to our mind-body connection.

We all have a brain, but our minds are different. Our emotions are different, and every one of us responds differently to different situations around us.

That’s why having a sad mood or depression can result in lethargic feelings in your body. Though depression and your muscles do not directly connect, depression affects the mind and mind, influences your brain, and feels symptoms in your body.

The same thing happens when you are in a good mood. You feel a tremendous amount of energy in your body, and you have no idea where it is coming from. It is your mind that is sending indirect signals to your body.

Tips for Improving Mind-Body Connection

As mentioned before, maintaining your mind and body connection is crucial for your overall health. That’s why you must be familiar with the ways that improve your mind and body connection.

Here are Few Tips for You

Keep your body well hydrated, as lack of water in your body can affect your concentration.
Perform deep breathing exercises in a calm and peaceful environment.
Perform regular stretching exercises as stretching sends signals to your body that help improve your mind and body connection.
Take a break from your busy routine and do things that you enjoy doing.

All of these tips affect your mental well-being and hence improve your mind and body connection.

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What Are The Signs And Symptom Of Multiple Sclerosis

November 5, 2021

Multiple Sclerosis – What is it

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects your brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It is an autoimmune disease in which the person’s immune system attacks the covering of nerves (myelin sheath). When this covering (myelin sheath) of nerves is damaged, the signals (sensory and motor) transmission within the body are affected.

There are four types of Multiple Sclerosis.

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RPMS)
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)
Progressive Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (PRMS)

The symptoms can occur depending on the affected structure and the type and course of the disease. It can range from mild muscles weakness to paralysis. The most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis are as follows.

Fatigue
Visual problems
Sensory disturbances
Muscles weakness
Dizziness
Pain
Balance and Gait problems
Speech problems
Swallowing problems
Urination and defecation problems
Sexual problems

Let’s have a look at the common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis one by one.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of Multiple Sclerosis. A person having MS would have an overall feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. Performing tasks, even the minor ones, can make the affected individual short of breath. Pain and body aches can also accompany the fatigue.

Visual Problems

Visual problems occur when the disease affects the optic nerve, which is responsible for controlling vision. Visual problems can also arise when the occipital lobe of the brain is affected. This area receives the sensory input of vision.

The problems that can occur vary from person to person. It can be double vision (diplopia), blurred vision, partial loss of vision, or complete vision loss. Repetitive and uncontrolled eye movements (Nystagmus) can also occur due to Multiple Sclerosis.

Sensory Disturbances

Our body is able to sense different things because of sensory nerves. These nerves carry the sensory signals from your body to the brain’s sensory cortex, and that’s how you can sense touch, pressure, vibration, etc.

As Multiple Sclerosis affects the covering of nerves, signal transmission speed is affected, and some sensory disturbances are also seen. The patient may feel numbness, tingling sensations in their hands, arms, legs, feet, etc. Abnormal sensations (paresthesia) are also common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

Muscles Weakness

As mentioned above, Multiple Sclerosis affects the nerves in your body. When the nerves controlling the sensory function are affected, sensory disturbances are seen. Similarly, when the nerves controlling the muscles (motor nerves) are affected, it leads to muscles weakness.

It can involve your foot muscles, leg muscles, hip muscles, arm muscles, upper body muscles, etc., depending upon the affected nerves. Weakness in muscles can lead to problems with performing daily activities and ambulation.

If the damage to the nerves is severe, it can lead to muscles paralysis—the paralysis of muscles controlling the upward movement of the foot results in Foot Drop.

Dizziness

Another common symptom of Multiple Sclerosis is “Dizziness.” The affected individual may feel a range of sensations, such as feeling faint, weak, or unsteady.

It sometimes creates the false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. This condition is sometimes called “vertigo.”

Pain

Pain is the most common symptom of Multiple Sclerosis. Pain is an unpleasant sensation that is sensed by the sensory nerves and perceived by the brain. As this disease affects the neurons (basic structure of the nervous system), the whole of the nervous system is affected.

The intensity of pain can vary from mild to extreme. Painful sensations can be accompanied by numbness and tingling sensations. The intensity of pain is also related to the type and course of the disease.

Balance and Gait Problems

The balance of the patients with Multiple Sclerosis is also affected. It can either be due to decreased muscles strength of legs or damage to centers in the brain responsible for balance control. The body’s muscles may get excessively tight (spasticity). Impaired gait (ataxia) is also typical in Multiple Sclerosis patients.

Speech Problems

Problems in speech result when the nerves controlling the articulation muscles are affected. Speech problems can be due to damage to speech centers present in the brain. It can cause slurred speech (dysarthria) or absence of speech (aphasia).

Swallowing Problems

Muscles are responsible for swallowing food. When the nerves controlling these muscles are affected, swallowing becomes difficult. This condition is called Dysphagia. It can affect eating habits of the patient.

Urination and Defecation Problems

Voluntary control of urination and defecation is lost in patients with advanced Multiple Sclerosis. This happens because of damage to the nerves responsible for controlling urination and defecation. This can result in leakage of urine (dribbling), urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence.

Sexual Problems

Decreased sexual desire (libido) and erection problems are also symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. This again is due to the damage to the neurons in the patient’s body.

Cognitive and Psychological Problems

As mentioned before, Multiple Sclerosis affects the brain also. This can result in several cognitive and psychological problems. Common mental and psychological symptoms that are seen in Multiple Sclerosis patients are short-term memory deficits, diminished executive function, diminished attention or concentration, etc. Anxiety and depression can also be present depending upon the type and course of the disease.

TIPS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

Here are some essential tips for Multiple Sclerosis patients that they can follow for taking care of their body.

Try to have a balanced diet. According to researches, eating a low-fat and vitamin-rich diet can benefit people with multiple sclerosis. Eating a healthy diet can help to maximize your energy levels and support your bowel and bladder movement.
Perform regular exercises. Walking for 20-30 minutes can improve a Multiple Sclerosis patient’s gait and balance.
Avoid heat. People with MS should avoid taking hot baths and going out in hot weather. Patients should also wear cooling collars when exercising.
Stay connected to your friends and family. Socializing can decrease many of the tensions and worries. Friends and family can support the patients in their hard times. This helps to reduce stress and anxiety.