Recover with NDT Physical Therapy

More and more notice is going toward brain issues, from sports concussions to congenital defects. The attention is fabulous, and now innovative treatments are becoming available that may help people recover. One new strategy is known as NDT (Neurodevelopmental Therapy). This can be used in a variety of therapeutic disciplines, including physical therapy for kids.

At its core, Neurodevelopmental Therapy is a way to look at issues on a very personal level. Physical therapists use hands-on methods and high-tech equipment to train patients on functional tasks. For example, think of a boy with special needs who can't walk due to the problem might break it up into incremental goals. One might be lifting the feet slightly using the patient's own muscles. In this case, the physical therapist would guide the child with touch and support.

The most valuable part of this Neurodevelopmental Therapy method is patient goal-setting. For kids with disabilities, goals may be set by the parents. For grown-ups dealing with problems such as TBI and stroke, the goal might be learning to reach above the head without falling. Elite physical therapists who have used these strategies say that the patient's ideas about their treatment is very important.

In addition to feeling like it's working, Neurodevelopmental Therapy truly works. Physical therapists say their patients need fewer supports and find it easier to get to proper positioning. Goals can be set, and reached, in eating, speech, movement and much more.

For kids with disabilities, physical therapists can use Neurodevelopmental Therapy to help them be less dependent. This can include learning to support oneself, learning to climb stairs, or even crawl or stand. The best pediatric physical therapists believe that some degree of improvement is realistic for almost all people, even those with the most serious conditions.

The scientific research about Neurodevelopmental Therapy isn't very exhaustive, but the subject isn't really being challenged. Many of the studies have been done on just a few patients, so aren't widely applicable. But the ideas are pretty commonsense and a growing number of physical therapists for children and other specialists have adopted its techniques.

If you or a family member struggle with speech, eating and mobility, consider finding a autism spectrum disorder San Diego, CA expert in your area.