Epilepsy - Understanding The Role Of Physiotherapy In It!

A neurological disorder characterized by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, and convulsions associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Role of physiotherapy in epilepsy

• It helps improve strength, mobility, and increases the range of motion and sphere of movement.

• It helps improve sensory awareness, response, balance, and coordination.

• It helps to improve quality of movement and physical performance.

The goals of physiotherapy

• To develop strength enough to support one’s head upright

• To have balance and motor control to maintain their trunk at midline

• To use many different muscle groups

• To assist necessary motion in their trunk and extremities

• The physiotherapists write short-term goals for each of the items on the problem list that need to be covered to help the patient achieve the long-term goals

• To understand what the patient is good at and does well

• To focus on what he or she capable of doing rather than on what they can’t do

• To educate and provide awareness with a view to prevent injuries

  • For example, advice on special swimming equipment to prevent drowning if he/she gets seizures in the pool

  • Padding out sharp corners in the house to prevent damage if fallen on

• Physiotherapy treatment for a healed fracture consists of strengthening muscles that have got weak from being immobilized and stretching muscles that are stiff owing to being in the cast for a long period of time.

How can physical exercise help with seizures?

Physical exercise improves fitness, energy, and mood and even relieves stress. Improving overall health and well-being in this way can help reduce seizures.

• It can also help people feel more in control of their health.
• It also helps release ‘feel good’ hormones into the brain, keeps muscles active, reduces fat levels in the body, and increases oxygen flow to the brain.
• It can also increase the bone density.
• A research showed that regular sessions of aerobic exercise (for example running, walking, swimming, cycling) for 60 minutes, twice a week, for 15 weeks can result in a significant reduction in the number of seizures they had.
• Drink water, diluted fruit juice, or squash while exercising to help replace the fluids and body. Do not exercise straight after a meal.
• Team sports or group activities such as walking or gardening groups can also be a good way of increasing self-confidence.
• Making new friends may help with any feelings of isolation.
• Most sports, including contact sports like football, hockey, basketball and rugby, have not shown to increase the chance of someone having a seizure, but contact sports come with an increased risk of head injuries, which could affect people with a history of epilepsy. Protective sports headgear helps to reduce this risk.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!