The neurophysio service provides neurophysiological treatment to help people’s bodies to function in the best way possible using a range of techniques.
We create treatment programmes to help each patient’s body function in the best way possible, and allow them to continue with their day-to-day activities. We use a range of treatment techniques, including:
- Re-educating the body in normal movement patterns
- Improving the quality of walking
- Strengthening and stretching
- Balance and core stability exercises
- Developing motor/muscle skills
- Gym sessions
- Respiratory care
- Splinting and casting
- Education and advice for families and carers
- Hydrotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Supply of walking aids.
Treatments
Hydrotherapy treatment
Hydrotherapy uses buoyancy, resistance and turbulence to help with treatment. However, you do not need to be able to swim to have hydrotherapy treatment.
Hydrotherapy can help to:
- Increase mobility
- Reduce pain and muscle spasm
- Improve and maintain the range of movement in joints
- Strengthen weak muscle groups and stimulate circulation
- Increase physical fitness
- Re-educate the body with normal movement patterns
- Balance improvements
- Improve co-ordination
- Make posture better
- Increase sensory awareness
- Improve mood and self-confidence.
Splinting and casting
Splinting and casting are treatments to help maintain or increase the length of muscles, and the range of movement for joints.
Casting involves making lightweight casts of the arm or leg which stretches the muscles, ligaments and joint over a prolonged period. You will wear the cast for four to five days. We will make another cast in a position that increases the angle of stretch even further. Therefore, this continues until we achieve the target range of movement.
Firstly, we measure the range of movement in the joint before we make the first cast. Then, we measure between casts to track progress.
Casting can be very useful to help bring the toes up to aid standing and walking. We also use casting to straighten elbows, wrists and hands. Casting is normally used alongside other treatment techniques, such as soft tissue stretches and botulinum toxin injections.
In addition, we work with occupational therapists who make individualised splints for patients to help with maintaining their joint movements and function.
Neurophysiotherapy wards
Not all patients need physiotherapy during their stay on Ward 15 and Ward 16. However, we aim to assess within 24 hours of your referral.
You will be referred to your local hospital if you need further rehabilitation.
Adult Critical Care Unit
On Ward 18 physiotherapists provide treatments including:
- Keeping your lungs clear of secretions
- Assisting weaning from mechanical ventilation
- Encouraging early movement and getting you up out of bed
- Improving strength and function of the body.
Early rehabilitation of critically ill patients is important. We sit ventilated patients out of bed, encourage people to move, and often take people to our hydrotherapy pool.
Neurology
We care for people on Ward 43 after they have been diagnosed with a new neurological condition, or an existing condition gets worse. We assess people and work with them to develop a management plan with specific goals.
This includes helping your body to function as well as possible, and help decide whether you need more physiotherapy once you leave hospital. To do this, we work closely with many healthcare professionals both inside and outside of hospital.
Neuro-oncology
The neuro-oncology physiotherapist works with people with brain and spinal tumours. You can be referred to a physiotherapist at any stage, including after their operation or when you are receiving palliative treatment.
The physiotherapist works in a team which includes doctors, specialist nurses, an occupational therapist, speech therapist and neuro-psychologist. We provide therapy in a number of places, depending on what the patient needs.
We aim to improve quality of life, promote independence and help people manage day-to-day activities.
You can be referred to a neuro-oncology physiotherapist, if you have:
- problems moving around
- fatigue/tiredness
- muscle weakness
- joint mobility problems
- before and after surgery
- manual handling issues
- breathing problems such as shortness of breath
As part of the treatment, we might give patients exercises, walking aids and specialist advice. We try to improve, maintain or prevent problems which may occur.
Neuro-outpatients
The neuro-outpatients clinic provides physiotherapy assessments and treatment for adults with neurological conditions.
We offer neuro-rehabilitation for patients with a range of neurological conditions. We hold clinic at the Freeman hospital’s physiotherapy department and at the CRESTA clinic.
Physiotherapy assessments involve asking questions about the way your body works, followed by a physical examination. Your results will be discussed with the you.
Future treatment may include:
- Physiotherapy to reduce stiffness or improve strength, co-ordination and balance
- Advice on appropriate exercise programmes and activities
- Advice about, or providing splints, supports or equipment aids
- Referral to other services or professionals
Motor neurone disease
The Physiotherapist works alongside the team to support people under the Newcastle MND Care Centre. You will be reviewed in clinic at CRESTA or in Penrith. This will take place alongside other members of the team.
You can be seen in the physiotherapy clinic at CRESTA, in your own home or in the community.
The physiotherapist works alongside local services to provide ongoing holistic support.
This includes:
- Guidance with exercise
- Supporting respiratory function
- Assessment for orthotics, such as neck collars
- Identification of any additional equipment to optimise independence and quality of life.
Stroke Pathway
If you are admitted a stroke on Ward 41, you will be assessed by a physiotherapist to review how the stroke has affected your movement, perception, balance and mobility.
From this assessment, we work with the ward team to decide on whether you can go home. This will be with support from the Early Supported Discharge Team which is part of the Newcastle Community Stroke Team (NCSS).
If you need more rehabilitation, you will be transferred to Ward 9 at the Freeman Hospital.
