Neuromuscular diseases encompass a diverse range of disorders, including motor neuron diseases, conditions affecting motor nerve roots or peripheral nerves, neuromuscular transmission disorders, and muscle diseases. There are approximately 600 different neuromuscular diseases, each with varying needs. Neuromuscular reeducation involves a set of therapeutic techniques aimed at restoring the normal functioning of nerves and muscles. This includes improving movement, balance, coordination, kinesthetic sense and proprioception, which may have been impaired.1
Are you having difficulty with coordinated movements?
You may need neuromuscular reeducation.
Your brain uses nerves to send messages to your muscles on how fast and how powerfully they need to move. If your muscles are not receiving the necessary instructions, it can cause decreased movement and function that could become permanent. If your motor skills or coordination seem a bit off, you may need our licensed and experienced physical therapists to train or retrain your brain, nerves and muscles to communicate better.
What is neuromuscular reeducation?
Neuromuscular reeducation is a training program designed to redevelop normal, controlled movement patterns your muscles, brain, and the corresponding nerves to effectively communicate with each other. The ultimate goal is is to re-establish normal kinesthetic sense and proprioception of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and appendicular skeleton (upper and lower extremities). Your physical therapist will have you perform repeated movement patterns to train or retrain your nerve signals and rebuild muscle memory.
Loss of neural muscular control and abnormal movement resulting from, pain, inflammation and swelling due to surgery, traumatic injuries (e.g., auto accident or sports injury) or disease (e.g., stroke, Parkinson’s disease or other neurological diseases) can cause irregular, compensatory movement patterns. Neuromuscular reeducation can help people establish or re-establish the normal neural control to move normally. This establishes the foundation for strength training, so you can recover and get back to the activities you enjoy.
What can I expect?
Our skilled services start with a thorough initial evaluation where we discuss and assess your specific condition and needs. We’ll then design a personalized neuromuscular reeducation program once we examine your movement, strength, flexibility, functional, balance, and muscle tone.
It’s important for us also to work closely with your doctor and any other healthcare providers so we can help you achieve your specific goals as quickly as possible.
Your neuromuscular reeeducation treatment plan may include:
- Manual techniques such as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) – flexibility training involving stretching and contracting targeted muscle groups
- Balance and core balance and control exercises using therapeutic and/or Bosu balls
- Standing balance exercises
- Seated stability exercises
- Postural retraining
- Isometric muscle contraction exercises
What conditions can be treated by neuromuscular reeducation?
The following are only a few conditions that benefit from neuromuscular reeducation:
- Pinched/Pressed Nerves
- Back Pain & Sciatica
- Headaches, Migraines & Neck Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Hip & Knee Pain
- Elbow, Wrist & Hand Pain
- Foot & Ankle Pain
- Auto Accident Injuries
- Work-related Injuries
Call us today to find out more about how neuromuscular reeducation can help you re-establish neural connections and regain normal, controlled movement patterns.
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