Damage to the nervous system occurs for a number of reasons. Trauma to the brain before or during birth can produce a series of changes in a baby which are grouped under the blanket term of Cerebral Palsy. All age groups can suffer from spinal cord or head injuries due to accidents. Older adults often fall victim to debilitating neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, or can suffer from CVAs (Cerebrovascular accidents, commonly known as a stroke). Because the nervous system is responsible for regulation of everything in the body, the effects of damage to it are variable – they include anything from sensory loss to poor hormone regulation to muscle weakness. As well as working on muscle strength, the role of a physiotherapist includes sensory education, teaching the client to move and walk properly and providing necessary walking and lifestyle aids.

For those who have a neurological condition, there’s some exciting research coming out all the time on neuroplasticity – basically, the nervous tissue’s ability to regenerate itself. This provides further support for early intensive physiotherapy in conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injury.

UPDATE: Our physiotherapist Clara Andrich has a special clinical interest in neurological conditions like MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and post- stroke physiotherapy (CVA, cerebrovascular accident). Clara has recently been seeing a number of clients through the NDIS and she is really happy to use our expansive treatment rooms and rehabilitation gym (‘Rehab Room’) to help them achieve their physio rehab goals! Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions on how you can get physiotherapy through your self managed or externally managed NDIS plan- we are happy to help at our central Cairns city physiotherapy practice.