Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists have particular expertise and knowledge concerning all aspects of movement: neurological control, muscle structure and function, and the relationship to bones and joints.
In the context of OCE, the greatest specialisation relates to neurological and neuromuscular conditions, but staff are also experts in assessing and treating people:
- after amputations
- in relation to wheelchairs, orthoses and other equipment
- in managing posture, moving and handling
- for musculoskeletal problems associated with chronic disabling neurological conditions.
The neurological physiotherapy team assesses and treats people with a wide range of neurological conditions including:
- stroke
- traumatic brain injury
- multiple sclerosis
- spinal cord injury
- brain haemorrhage
and other neurological conditions, with the aim of:
- maximising functional abilities and enabling independent living
- improving mobility
- improving upper limb function
- increasing fitness and exercise tolerance
- reducing pain and discomfort
- improving posture and balance
- increasing strength and flexibility
- providing guidance, treatment and education in the management of symptoms and problems.
The team works with inpatients, outpatients and day hospital patients in a spacious gym environment using the latest equipment to meet the needs of this patient group.
The team also has access to a hydrotherapy pool and a specially designed mobility garden. Patients are treated individually and in groups following detailed assessment and identification of meaningful and personal goals.
A wide variety of treatment techniques can be used based on the outcomes of the assessment, these include:
- individually designed exercise prescription
- gait education
- treadmill training using partial body weight support
- Functional Electrical Stimulation Bike and Neuromuscular Electric Stimulation
- hydrotherapy
- SaeboFlex Dynamic Orthosis
- Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
- upper limb splinting
- serial casting
- MDT spasticity assessment and management in a specialist clinic
- chronic regional pain syndrome treatment
- Joint Physiotherapy / Orthotics clinic
- 24 hour postural management review
- sensory re-education
- task-orientated practice in functional contexts.
Services and programmes
Inpatient service
Each patient will receive an intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme, including one-to-one physiotherapy and group sessions. Patients will be set up to self-directed exercises on the ward with support from family and carers.
Outpatient service
The physiotherapists assess and treat patients at the OCE, the intensity of treatment being dependent on clinical need.
Continuing Disability Management Service (CDMS)
This is a service for the management of people with long term neurological conditions. It is based within a day hospital. Patients will be assessed, monitored and receive intervention, based on the identified goals from the multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapy.
Group programmes
- Group physiotherapy sessions for inpatients
- Exercise group for day hospital patients with long term neurological conditions
- Functional Upper Limb Rehabilitation group in conjunction with Occupational Therapy
- Saebo flex group - use of a specialist orthosis to facilitate grasp and release for patients who have reduced hand function in conjunction with Occupational Therapy
- Breakfast group - a social group facilitating practice of cooking-based rehabilitation goals in conjunction with Occupational Therapy
- Leisure and Exercise group, a 4-6 week physio-led exercise and education group for patients with progressive neurological conditions who are motivated to increase their exercise levels
- BOOST - an eight week education based self-management programme for people with long term neurological conditions.
The team
The physiotherapy team are all CSP registered physiotherapists who have a special interest in neurological rehabilitation.
They include:
- clinical specialists in neurological physiotherapy
- rotational physiotherapists
- physiotherapy assistants
- rehabilitation assistants.
The team has extensive experience in different neurorehabilitation techniques including Movement Science, Bobath, Pilates, hydrotherapy.
Clinical teaching
The department is involved in physiotherapy training and has BSc and MSc students throughout the year from Oxford Brookes University and Coventry University.
Referrals
Referrals should be made in accordance with the OCE neurological rehabiliation referral process:
Referrals are accepted from any health care professionals working with a client with a neurological diagnosis.
Contact us
- Tel: 01865 737372 / 737370
- Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm