Neurological Physiotherapy: A Problem-Solving Approach

Neurological Physiotherapy aims to provide an improved understanding of problems commonly encountered by the therapist working with people with neurological disability. It describes aspects of posture and movement difficulties which may occur as a result of neurological damage and gives guidance to help the therapist to plan the appropriate treatment programme for each patient. Using a problem-solving approach the emphasis is on the identification of symptoms in relation to impairment and disability rather than on a detailed description of neurological conditions.

Patient-centred - focuses on patient problems, not on medical diagnoses

Encourages analysis of the abnormal pathology to determine appropriate treatment interventions

Describes a variety of commonly used treatment approaches and gives indicators for their selection

Stresses the importance of individual patient assessment for planning individual therapy programmes

Uses case histories to illustrate the relationship between assessment and appropriate therapy selection

Incorporates the latest information relating to the control of human movement

Illustrated with both photographs and line diagrams to support and clarify the text

Written by a team of clinicians who are experts in their fields

New chapters on:

Assessment, goal setting and measuring treatment outcomes

Medical and surgical management (including drug therapy)

New chapter which looks at the likely developments for the future - a forward outlook

More case studies included - with new ones to address CVA, MS (with link to the community) and MND

Case studies on spinal cord injury and head injury to be added.

Susan Edwards FCSP, Lead Professional Adviser for Physiotherapy, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK, Private consultant and medico-legal advisor on physio cases.