Treatments
Whilst I treat any condition that is a result of injury to your nervous system, the
following are some common conditions.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood supply is prevented from reaching part of the brain due to a blockage in a blood vessel (known as cerebral infarction), or due to blood vessel rupture leading to bleeding or cerebral haemorrhage. The effect on a person is very individual but predominantly affects one side and can include:
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Loss of strength and movement in face, arm and leg.
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Poor balance
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Loss of feeling
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Loss of vision especially to one side of the field of vision
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Difficulty speaking and/or some difficulty understanding speech
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Difficulty doing daily tasks such a getting dressed, eating, moving around and walking.
At Libby Bamford Neurophysiotherapy, I will assess you to determine what you can do, what you have trouble doing, and, with knowledge of the stroke's location in the brain, determine what it is that may be making moving difficult. I will then provide you with hands-on assistance and activities that help you to re-learn aspects of movement, so that you can again experience moving with less effort. I will instruct you on some home exercises to maximize the benefits of the treatment session.
Whilst it is beneficial to receive treatment soon after the stroke, as changes in movement and function may be easier to relearn, therapy can still be useful at any time.
Contact Us
140 Unley Road, Unley 5061
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Now located at Unley Physiotherapy/ Empower Gym
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is a disease of the central nervous system that may interfere with the transmission of impulses along brain, spinal cord and optic nerve neural pathways.
Nerve fibres, which help transmit signals from your brain to your muscles and vice-versa, are encased in a myelin sheath that helps transmit these signals or 'impulses'.
In MS this sheath is attacked, preventing the transmission of these impulses. Certain neural signals are therefore not received, with varying effects person-to- person, depending on the particular neural pathways affected.
Symptoms may include:
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Altered sensation
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Fatigue and loss of stamina
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Decreased co-ordination and impaired balance
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Weakness, loss of movement, stiffness and spasms
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Changes in cognition and memory
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Difficulty with fine motor skills or tasks requiring dextrous use of your hands
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Altered vision
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Bladder disturbance
These can lead to poor balance in standing and sitting, difficulty transferring in
and out of chairs or from bed to chair, and difficulty walking.
At Libby Bamford Neurophysiotherapy, your 1:1 session would be dedicated to
assessing the problems limiting function or inhibiting your recovery. Treatment would be then be aimed at addressing the underlying problems. As MS is a life-long illness, intermittent bursts of therapy can be very helpful in maintaining function and addressing any decline in function before it becomes established.
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Traumatic Brain Injury
Neurophysiotherapy following traumatic brain injury includes dealing with the physical impairments, but due to the often complex nature of such injuries, I work closely with Allied Health and any other organisations that may be involved in your care. I also offer home visits which can be helpful for re-educating movement function in the context of your home.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Following incomplete spinal cord injury, treatment aims to maximize the potential for recovery. I work to increase strength and movement, and to prevent any undesirable complications. This can involve close coordination with other Allied Health, particularly if there are seating and equipment concerns.
Degenerative Conditions
There are a number of degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, Muscular Dystrophies, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Syndrome, or higher-level gait disorders which can benefit from neurophysiotherapy treatment. This can include hands-on treatment, exercises, education, management strategies and advice.​
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With regard to those suffering from vestibular disorders I offer evidence based treatment and exercise programs for the management of peripheral and central vestibular disorders.
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