When dealing with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), neurological physiotherapy in Sherwood Park utilizes different techniques tailored to help with various stages of recovery. Common physiotherapy approaches used to help bounce back from GBS:

Passive Range-of-Motion (ROM) Exercises:

In the early goings, when you might not have much strength, Our physiotherapists step in to move your limbs for you. It’s all about keeping your joints limber and preventing stiffness without you having to exert any effort. Passive ROM exercise suggested is:

Arm and Leg Lifts:

Our therapist will gently lift your arms and legs, moving them in various directions to mimic normal movements. This helps maintain the flexibility of your shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle joints. It’s a bit like being a puppet on a string, but it’s crucial for keeping those joints from getting stiff.

Active-Assisted Exercises:

As you start regaining a bit of muscle strength, you’ll get more involved. In active-assisted exercises, you do some of the work, but our physiotherapist is right there helping you out. Think of it as having a workout buddy who’s there to make sure you do your exercises right and safely. Here’s a rundown of typical active-assisted exercises you might encounter:

Controlled Squats:

Performing squats can be a challenge, so doing them with our therapist’s help allows you to rebuild strength in your legs and hips safely. They can support your weight, help you balance, and ensure you maintain good form.

Strength Training:

Once you’re a bit stronger, it’s time to add some resistance. This could be with light weights, resistance bands, or just your own body weight. It’s about building up those muscles gradually so they can do their job without getting tired too quickly. Common strength training exercises used are:

Resistance Band Workouts:

Resistance bands are fantastic because they’re gentle yet effective. You can do exercises like band pulls or chest presses, where you pull against the resistance. This helps build muscle endurance and strength in a controlled way, perfect for muscles that aren’t quite ready for heavy lifting.

Gait Training:

Walking might not come as easily after GBS, so gait training focuses on getting your stride back to normal. You might use treadmills, walking aids, or parallel bars in the clinic to help you walk steadily and confidently again. Common gait training methods:

Parallel Bars:

In our clinic, you might start out with parallel bars, which allow you to grip with both hands while you walk between them. These bars are a safe way to practice walking because you can lean on them as much as you need to, gradually decreasing your dependency as your balance improves.

Pain Management:

Dealing with pain is a big part of recovery. Our physiotherapist might use massage, heat or cold therapy, and specific exercises to help reduce discomfort and improve your ability to move around. Pain management techniques used in GBS:

Massage Therapy:

A good old massage can work wonders. Our registered therapist might use various massage techniques to relax tight muscles, improve circulation, and reduce muscle tension. This can be particularly soothing and help alleviate some of the discomforts and pains associated with GBS.

Heat Therapy:

Feeling a bit stiff? Heat therapy might be brought into play. Applying heat can help increase blood flow to the affected areas, which loosens up muscles and reduces pain. Our therapist might use heating pads, warm towels, or even warm water baths to help get those muscles nice and relaxed.