FAQs
What is a neurological physiotherapist?
A neurological physiotherapist is a physiotherapist who treats people with neurological conditions. At TherapyMatters we are highly specialist neurological physiotherapists, as we have specialist post-graduate training that enables more effective and skilled interventions with our patients.
Neurological Physiotherapists will often use musculoskeletal techniques as well as their specialist facilitation techniques to provide the patient with the experience of improved movement, posture, balance and control – helping them to function more successfully. This is different from other ‘musculo-skeletal or sports physiotherapists’ who work with patients with more muscular sprains, painful backs, whiplash etc but who are not specialists in neurological conditions.
In order to make the best functional improvements the patient with a neurological condition should always be seen by a specialist neurological chartered physiotherapist.
What happens during the initial assessment? What should I wear?
We will take a detailed medical history from you and discuss your current problems and your goals of therapy. We will then examine your movement and balance problems, looking at aspects of muscle tone, posture, strength, coordination, and sensation. We will assess your ability to function in tasks such as standing up, walking, reaching and using your hands. Once we have completed the assessment we will discuss with you our thoughts about realistic goals that may be achievable and our treatment plan to reach these goals.
It is best to wear loose fitting clothes that are comfortable (such as gym clothes, shorts and tee shirts) that can allow access to areas of your body that we will need to assess. We will always ask your permission before we touch you or remove any clothing, if this is necessary.
The assessment session normally takes around an hour, but may be slightly longer if necessary.
We offer assessment and treatment sessions at the Clinic and are also able to treat you in your own home if this is required and appropriate. You are welcome to bring a friend or relative to accompany you to any of your sessions.
How does treatment work?
Specialist Neurological Physiotherapy enables your recovery from a neurological illness by recruiting new brain pathways, encouraging the brain and spinal cord to make new connections for functional recovery; a process called ‘neuroplasticity’. This is achieved through re-aligning joints and muscles, stimulating and activating them, improving postural control and giving lots of opportunities for strength training and practice to refine new movement and balance skills.
Will it help me? How many treatment sessions will I need?
Yes – specialist neurological physiotherapy will help you to have a greater understanding of your potential for improvements and the way forward to achieve those functional improvements.
During your actual initial assessment we will identify your main difficulties with movement and balance, and we will establish your treatment needs. We will discuss realistic goals and ways forward to achieve those goals. This is the time when we will discuss with you what our recommendations for treatment sessions are – and we will always be honest and realistic with you about what you can hope to achieve. You are always free to have as few or as many treatment sessions as you wish to achieve your goals – and we will work with you to shape the rehabilitation programme to best suit your individual needs and situation. You are never asked to make a long term commitment to future treatment sessions, and you are in control at all times.
We will begin a programme of rehabilitation treatment tailor made to tackle your individual problems. This will involve aligning and activating joints and muscles to enable better postural control and stability so that you are more able to move and function successfully. We will do this through facilitating movement patterns, strength training, and helping you to exercise and practice movement skills. This will be 1-to-1 treatment time and may involve the use of equipment such as treatment plinths, gym balls and floor mats.
Treatment sessions will normally last around 1 hour, but can be extended as necessary or if requested.
During your rehabilitation we will provide you with a Home Exercise Programme that is targeted to your individual needs, enabling you to practice away from the physiotherapist, continuing to maximise your potential.
We will always discuss your potential to make further improvements and will be honest with you if we feel you have reached your ‘best’ functioning level. We will work with you to problem solve any practical difficulties and design a maintenance programme of exercises and stretches to keep you at your optimum level of fitness and functioning.
We offer long term reviews and check ups as required to keep you at your best performance. We aim to help you reach your full potential and then maintain it.
Who do you treat?
We specialise in treating people who have had neurological damage to their brain, spinal cord or nerves from a condition such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other types of conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis etc. Please see the list of conditions on the Conditions We Treat page.
Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral from your GP or consultant to attend the clinic. Just give us a ring to discuss your condition and to allow us to answer any questions you may have and we will discuss the next step forwards – and arrange an assessment appointment with you if appropriate.
If you are using your private medical insurance to cover the costs of your assessment and treatment then you should contact your provider to check whether they require a referral from your GP first in order for you to claim back your costs. Your private medical insurance company will advise you of how to proceed in this case.
Do I need to bring any extra information with me?
If you want to bring any useful information with you, such as a list of your medications, or copies of any consultation letters / hospital discharge letters – then that would be very helpful. But don’t worry if you don’t have these available – we will take a full history from you verbally as well. If we require any more details about your condition we will ask your permission to write to your GP.
How much does each session cost?
Please contact us at the clinic to discuss this – we can provide you with costs, brochures and information about our services. Costs are dependent on whether we see you in the clinic or at home, and sometimes on whether you require 2 therapists for your treatment. We can discuss this with you and make sure you have all the details that you need.
What are your rules on cancellations?
We understand that sometimes it is not possible to attend a pre-arranged session and that it may need to be cancelled. We ask you to give us as much notice as possible so that we are able to organise our diary and keep the clinic as efficient as we can. If you fail to attend a session without giving us any notice, or if you cancel within 24hours of the session, then we may charge you a cancellation fee equivalent to the cost of the session. This will be at the Business Practice Managers discretion and will take all the circumstances into consideration.
Where are you?
TherapyMatters is in the Bell Meadow Business Park which is in Pulford, Chester. We are only a few minutes drive past the Grosvenor Garden Centre and are very easy to find. Once you come into the site – turn left and go towards the back of the business park – you will find Aldford House just there. Have a look at our ‘Contact Us’ page for more information, and phone us if you need more help.
Is there parking at your clinic?
Parking is fully accessible and close to the clinic door. It is free for all our patients.
Is your clinic wheelchair accessible?
Our clinic is fully accessible with wide doors and easy access for wheelchairs. There is an accessible toilet right next to our reception area for easy disabled use. If you need any help getting in / out of your car at the clinic, then please phone ahead and let us know, and we will be ready to assist you.
What do I do now? What is the next step?
Have a look at the rest of our website and the ‘Contact Us’ page. Then give us a ring at the clinic on 01244 579616 and discuss any questions or concerns with us. We can book you an initial assessment appointment or if you prefer you can make arrangements to come into the clinic to meet us first.
We can arrange a free verbal consultation either on the phone or at the clinic to discuss whether an initial assessment is appropriate for you and your difficulties. We look forward to hearing from you and working together with you to achieve your functional goals.