Neurologic Physical Therapy in Northeast iowa
Many people struggle with neurological conditions that can be helped with physical therapy. These conditions include but are not limited to movement disorders (i.e., Parkinson's), stroke, TBI, chronic health conditions (i.e., fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, lyme disease), or balance and coordination issues due to vertigo or dizziness. Please explore this page to see how we might be able to help. We know the pain is not "just in your head." Reach out for physical therapy across northeast Iowa.
Stroke/Traumatic Brain Injury
Strokes and brain injuries can significantly impact motor functioning. Through physical therapy, you can work towards returning to your everyday life following a traumatic event. There are various treatments that we provide to help with gait, balance, coordination, vertigo, and dizziness that can be associated with strokes and TBIs.
Movement Disorders
Disorders like Parkinson's can be a devastating diagnosis for individuals who are constantly on the go. With new treatments like LSVT BIG, we work with you to improve balance, maintain/improve gait, and maintain/improve strengthen as the disease progresses.
Chronic Health Conditions
Many chronic health conditions can be treated with physical therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of pain. Fibromyalgia, EDS, and Lyme disease are several examples. Treatment will aim to help with strength and mobility concerns at a pace that works for you!
Balance & Coordination Issues
There can be a variety of conditions that can result in a balance or gait disorder. Many balance disorders are related to issues in the vestibular system, which is a delicate collection of fluid-filled chambers and sensory nerves, located in the inner ear, as well as thousands of nerve receptors in the joints throughout your body. The vestibular system is responsible for your sense of position, also known as “proprioception.”
Interventions & Treatments
Gait Retraining
Sometimes, abnormalities in gait can be corrected through a “retraining” where you learn proper techniques.
Strengthening Exercises
Your evaluation will help determine what problem areas in your body may need help. Our physical therapists will provide you with strengthening exercises that will build up your muscles, thus making it much easier for you to move around and reduce your risk of injury.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
This physical therapy treatment works to improve your vision, nerves, muscles, and the vestibular system as a whole, in order to maintain a steady balance. If you are experiencing BPPV symptoms, our physical therapists will provide you with specific exercises that will move the calcium debris to the correct parts of your ear, correcting your vertigo.
Functional Mobility and Stiffness Management
Stretching will help improve your flexibility and your range of motion. This will give you more control and quicker reactions with your movements, also reducing your risk of injury. It will also keep your muscles from becoming too tight and stiff.
Fun Fact
There's a difference between balance and gait disorders.
Balance and gait disorders belong to a family of functional problems that interfere with your positional awareness, your normal means of walking or running, and your ability to keep yourself upright.
Balance and gait disorders are closely related, but they do have some distinct differences. Balance disorders are both physical and mental, as your brain may think you are moving, even when you are not. Changes to your joint strength, mobility, and ability to sense where your joints are in space (proprioception), all have physical consequences on your balance.
Gait disorders can cause abnormal movements to the way you walk and run, and these can become exaggerated with age. According to Move Forward Physical Therapy, gait disorders account for 17 percent of senior falls.