What to Expect

 

• Initial assessment - Based on a client centred approach and is vital to ascertain the main problems and formulate an accurate treatment plan. Initially, questions will be asked about the client’s medical history and diagnosis and their main problems as they see them followed by an in-depth evaluation of movement and functional abilities. International outcome measures will be used where appropriate. Joint aims of treatment and treatment plan will be discussed. This will take about an hour and a quarter.

 

• Treatment - treatment will consist of any of the types of treatment mentioned according to the individual needs and problems evaluated during the assessment. It will take place in the home (apart from hydrotherapy and harnessed treadmill) and will be between 3/4 an hour and an hour according to the ability and needs of each patient as discussed in the initial assessment.

 

• Patient education – educating a patient regarding their main problems and the way they can help to rehabilitate themselves with the assistance of a physiotherapist is of vital importance in their ongoing care to prevent dependence on treatment where possible. Ongoing use of more normal movement and posture during everyday activities can prevent complications and assist with rehabilitation by continual reinforcement improving brain to body pathways and connections. Rehabilitation has to be viewed as an equal partnership where both sides work together in order to cause maximum effect.

 

• Home ex programme – individualised according to the main problems of each person and extremely important factor in maximising the effect of physiotherapy. In order for changes to occur in muscle strength and quality of movement any top athlete will work for around 6 hours a day if not more. The same applies for rehabilitation and the changes which need to occur to regain more normal movement will not occur unless extra time is made to exercise. Rehabilitation has to be viewed as an equal partnership where both sides work together in order to cause maximum effect.

 

• Advice for family and carers – where the client is dependent on others for assistance in everyday activities, advice and guidance will be given regarding transfers, moving and handling as well as encouraging them to become involved in their rehabilitation by assisting them with the exercise programme.