How neuro rehab can benefit veterans.
Neurological rehabilitation (or neuro rehab) is a specialised form of physical therapy, designed to help individuals recover, maintain, and improve their physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities following an injury or condition that affects their nervous system.
Neuro rehab is used to help people regain independence, improve quality of life, and manage symptoms caused by neurological conditions or injuries. These injuries or conditions often include damage to the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Examples include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and peripheral neuropathy.
Neuro rehab is particularly relevant within the Defence community, helping veterans who may have experienced injury during service. Common concerns within the veteran community that neuro rehab can address include:
- Difficulty with mobility, balance, or coordination
- Muscle weakness or spasticity
- Chronic pain
- Cognitive challenges like memory loss or difficulty concentrating
- Emotional and psychological impacts of neurological conditions
Neuro rehab works to provide people with more independence in daily activities and supports families and carers to better understand and help to manage their loved one’s mental and physical health conditions.
Some of the benefits include improving mobility and physical function, reducing pain and discomfort, managing symptoms like muscle spasticity or tremors, slowing progression of degenerative conditions, and increasing confidence and emotional wellbeing.
For veterans, neuro rehab can be a critical step in reclaiming their quality of life after service-related injuries or conditions.
Mates4Mates clinical services are designed to provide comprehensive support to veterans and families with mental and physical health concerns.
Mates4Mates physiotherapists are available to provide neurological rehabilitation, with in-person appointments available in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, or online via telehealth, where eligible.
With fully equipped rehabilitation gyms at multiple Mates4Mates locations, veterans and family members can join clinical exercise groups, including functional fitness, hydrotherapy, clinical Pilates, and trauma-informed yoga to promote fitness, mobility, and social connection in a supportive environment.
At Mates4Mates, physiotherapists will personalise neuro rehab to each client’s unique needs and goals. A common routine for neuro rehab includes:
- Assessment: A thorough evaluation to understand the person’s condition, limitations, and goals.
- Exercise Therapy: Designing tailored exercise programs to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
- Gait Training: Helping clients relearn or improve their walking patterns.
- Functional Training: Focusing on everyday activities to enhance independence.
- Education: Providing clients and their families with strategies to manage symptoms and prevent further complications.
Mates4Mates also offers access to psychologists, counsellors, social workers, and exercise physiologists to support veterans to reconnect and recover through a holistic approach.
For more information about how Mates4Mates can support you, make the call that makes the difference on 1300 4 MATES (62 837) for a confidential chat or visit mates4mates.org
