Treatments
Saebo
The SaeboFlex™ and SaeboStretch™ splints, and Saebo arm training program give individuals the power to regain movement in their arm and hand, even years after their stroke or brain injury. These revolutionary therapy tools can also be used after incomplete spinal cord injury and with cerebral palsy related movement problems.
Please visit www.saebo.com for full details.
The SaeboFlex™ orthotic device is used as part of a specific strength and movement training program to help you recover the use of your arm and hand. The required exercises are guided by your physiotherapist.
Emma Sawyer Physiotherapy will provide a trial of the SaeboFlex and SaeboStretch splints as part of a full neurological physiotherapy assessment.
What happens during a normal treatment session, and how are you involved in your treatment?
Assessment
The first step is to make a thorough, hands-on assessment of your movement. This may involve testing your muscle strength, testing the movement of your joints, testing and measuring your balance, and assessing various movements such as standing up from a chair, walking inside and outside, and walking up and down stairs. It is helpful if you wear loose clothing that allows comfortable movement for assessment.
Setting Goals
During and after the assessment, we will have the opportunity to discuss what you would like to get out of your physiotherapy; this is called setting goals. For example you may wish to increase the distance you can walk, so that you can get to the shops again, or you might wish to return to swimming or some other fitness activity. Your goal may be to manage a bit of gardening again, or to get into and out of the car more easily. The assessment findings will enable me to suggest how long it might take to reach your goal and what steps we will take to get there.
Treatment
The next step is to begin treatment. Physiotherapy treatment can take a variety of forms depending on your condition and what we discovered during the assessment. I may teach you useful techniques or exercises to practice to improve your movements. More specialised treatment techniques may be needed, such as movement or balance re-education. I may incorporate some simple pieces of equipment into treatment such as weights, strapping or balance aids. I may also utilise more hands on therapy to mobilise your joints and soft tissues, such as stretching, massage and mobilisation.
Your Part
It is important to remember that physiotherapy is a physical treatment that helps your body to heal itself. Therefore you will always have an active role in your own treatment. This may be as simple as practising moving in your chair, or doing some leg exercises whilst standing at the kitchen sink. The more you can participate in treatment, the better.
You may wish to have a relative, friend or carer with you during treatments. This is most welcome.
