Brain and Nervous System
Our Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapists are trained and have experience in assessing and treating children with brain and nervous system conditions.
The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The spinal and cranial nerves make up the peripheral nervous system. The brain is the centre that controls all bodily functions and movements. The nervous system, (made up of the spinal cord and spinal nerves) sends and relays messages back and forth between the brain and other parts of the body (eg: muscles and organs) via the spinal cord to the peripheral nerves. When a message comes into the brain from anywhere in the body, the brain tells the body how to react.
The brain and nervous system can become damaged, this may happen before, during or after birth. The difficulties that a child presents with depends on the area of the brain or nervous system that is damaged, and the severity of the damage. The damage may result in difficulties with moving, cognition, sensory processing, communication, perception and behaviour.
The damage that occurs to the brain may result in abnormal postural tone (muscle tone) and patterns of movement. The child’s motor development is affected and delayed. Unfortunately it is not possible to repair brain damage, however physiotherapy can help the brain to learn or relearn a movement or motor skill. Our approach to treatment is based on the Bobath concept, neuro-developmental treatment, but includes other approaches to enable a function based and eclectic approach. We work with the child and their family to facilitate the development of the child’s motor skills with normal patterns of movement.
These are some of the conditions involving the brain and nervous system that Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapists commonly treat.
We would be happy to discuss the concerns that you have for your child and how we can help:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Head Injury
- Birth-Related Brain Injuries
- Prematurity
- Motor Delay as a Result of a Premature Birth
- Spinal Injuries
- Spina Bifida
- Inflammatory Conditions Affecting the Brain: Meningitis and Encephalitis
- Neuromuscular Conditions
- Muscular Dystrophies
- Myopathies,
- Muscular Atrophies
- Charcot-Marie Tooth Disorder
- Microcephaly
- Peripheral Nerve Injuries
- Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy)
- Congenital and Genetic Conditions
- Rehabilitation Following
- Botulinum Toxin Injections
- Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Tenotomies (Tendon Lengthening)
- Osteotomies
What our clients say:
Caroline, thank you for your warm and caring approach, we look forward to continuing to work with you.
We would be happy to discuss the concerns that you have for your child and how we can help.
