Our physiotherapy team will put together a programme of treatment from a range of treatment modalities and therapy techniques including hands-on treatment, electrical stimulation, exercise programmes, functional electrical cycling, robotics, hydrotherapy and access to other sports and physical activities. We will personalise frequency and input to each individual depending on what fits with their current regime and goals.
Our therapists utilise traditional hands-on Bobath techniques which are inherent skills in addition to motor re-learning and repetitious therapy. The team use evidence base to inform their practise and attend regular CPD to ensure that this is current and they are well versed in best practise.
Our team of Speech and Language Therapists are able to assess and carry out therapy programmes for a range of speech, language, cognitive communication, social communication and swallowing disorders after acquired brain injury.
We work closely with a skilled MDT and families/carers to carry out assessment, plan therapy programmes and set client-centred goals. Our interventions can take place within clinic, at home, and where possible and appropriate, in the local community where we can work on communication in function in a broad range of day-to-day activities.
We have access to many formal assessments such as the Comprehensive Aphasia Test, Mt Wilga High Level Language Assessment and Frenchay Dysarthria Test. We use a range of therapy techniques which focus on the impairment, such as oro-motor and language exercise programmes, as well as exploring and teaching strategies to enable our clients to compensate for communication difficulties.
Where indicated, we can refer service users with swallowing impairment to local NHS services for videofluoroscopy assessment of their swallowing.
We work with many clients who require the use of low or high tech communication aids. We are able to make referrals to local NHS services for assessment and provision of
Alternative and Augmentative Communication Aids, and then work collaboratively to ensure our clients who require AAC are supported as they become confident using a device.
Members of our team have experience within the field of voice disorders and are able to work with clients who present with dysphonia e.g. vocal cord palsy post stroke. If ENT evaluation is required, we make a referral to a local outpatient service and then carry out therapy programmes including techniques such as Accent Method and Voicecraft.
Regular CPD ensures that we remain up to date with the latest evidence base around the assessment and management of communication and swallowing disorders.
It is important to us that all of our programmes are geared towards clients living their best lives. Therefore, we will always endeavour to ensure that our programmes and treatment sessions are geared towards working with the end goal in sight. We will look at physical tasks and activities to integrate into the lives of those we are treating. These may include community gym attendance, public swimming, climbing, fishing and many other activities.
We support and practice intensive therapy in both inpatient and outpatient settings. We can utilise integration of several hours of practice across the days and weeks, all dependent on individual circumstances and needs. This encompasses the research around neuroplasticity, preparation of the body and the need for repetition for progress and improvements.
Our cycling sessions are geared to allow you to exercise on the electrical stimulation cycle. This can integrate upper and lower limb cycling. This uses electrical stimulation to activate the muscle to push the bike for upper and lower limb rehabilitation. This allows repetition, strength and movement re training. We also use electrical stimulation for individual muscle/movement pattern rehabilitation tailored to individual needs.
We utilise hydrotherapy where indicated and this can be hugely beneficial for clients. It involves carrying out exercises and specific physiotherapy techniques in warm water. It utilises the properties of warm water in order to induce benefits to the body depending on what the goal is.
Hydrotherapy can help relieve pain, improve tone and spasms, relax and strengthen muscles. Clients can work on exercises that they find difficult on dry land including walking and balance work and it is often easier in the water. All these effects subsequently improve function.
We are aware that upper limb therapy is historically often overlooked and underutilised. We can combine the many techniques available to ensure that the best chance of recovery occurs.
We use lots of other adjuncts, often with other members of the multidsciplinary team for upper limb rehabilitation specifically. Such as mirror therapy, Saebo upper limb equipment, GripAble repetitious games/programmes and micro stimulation and of course our handling skills.
For gait/balance posture and lower limb synergy rehabilitation we can use an overhead track and harness system.
This enables us to work on gait speed and repetitions of steps in a safe and supported body weight system. We also work on balance and reactions times, and this is a great tool to reduce falls risks.
We are skilled at integrating pain and fatigue management techniques into our programmes to ensure that these common occurrences are managed as best they can be alongside progressive rehabilitation programmes.
Vital to include as part of most rehabilitation packages, we work effectively alongside other professionals in order to optimise therapy and monitor progress.
This includes working closely with case managers to plan and advise on treatment and equipment required.
Contact us for a initial chat to see how we can help you achieve your goals.