What is Motor Neurone Disease (MND)? Motor neurone disease (MND) refers to a group of diseases where nerves called motor neurons, which carry messages from the brain to the muscles, are affected (MND Australia 2021). MND is progressive and over time motor neurons become damaged, leading to weakness in the muscles that allow walking, speaking, … Read more
What is Motor Neurone Disease? Motor Neurone Disease (MND) refers to a group of progressive neurological disorders that destroy motor neurons. Motor neurons are cells in the brain and the spine that send the message from the brain to the muscles that help us to walk, breathe, speak and swallow. It is unclear what causes … Read more
Also known as the Late Effects of Polio What is Polio? Poliomyelitis, commonly known as Polio, is caused by a virus that enters the nervous system and causes paralysis by damaging nerves called motor neurons (Polio Australia, 2021). Although paralysis is the most noticeable sign of polio, very few cases ever lead to paralysis. The … Read more
Dance for Parkinson’s – what is Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder. A neurodegenerative disorder is when cells in the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) stop working or die. In Parkinson’s disease, a part of the brain called the substantia nigra (part of the basal ganglia) is affected. The substantia … Read more
Have you ever wondered about the evidence for physiotherapy? In fact, how do health professionals know what they do works? When I moved with my family interstate I had to change orthodontists. The new orthodontist said he would have made a different decision on what to do with my daughter’s teeth. Who was right, and … Read more
What is Myasthenia Gravis? Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder. In MG, anti-bodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscle which results in muscle weakness. MG impacts voluntary muscles (the muscles we have control over) – most commonly the muscles that control the eyes, mouth, throats and limbs. It is a rare disease, affecting … Read more
Neurological events such as a stroke, can cause changes in feeling or sensation, with sensation retraining a tool to address this. If a stroke damages the part of the brain that processes pain, temperature, or touch, sensation changes can occur. If you have change of sensation after a stroke, you might hear your therapy team … Read more
What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is a form of mediation. The practice of mindfulness is about focusing on what you are sensing in that moment. You practice being aware and accepting of what you are experiencing here and now. Things you may focus on may include what you can see hear feel taste smell Though is … Read more
Exercise for Bone Density is important to keep our bones healthy and strong throughout our life. As we age bone density decreases, due to a combination of age-related changes, inactivity, and inadequate nutrition. Bone mass decreases at approximately 1% per year after the age of 40, which may lead to osteoporosis. As bones become more … Read more
Why do we need to do balance exercises? Last week we looked at how our balance system works, this week we will look at how balance exercises can be fun. Our body processes information from our eyes, our inner ear system and our somatosensory system (knowing where our body is in space) to help us … Read more