Neurological rehabilitation

Neurologic rehabilitation dealing with recovery of motor, emotional, cognitive and language functions.

Patients with various types of injuries and diseases of the central nervous system are accepted for neurological rehabilitation:

• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injures (TBI)
• Vascular brain injures
• Neurodegenerative brain and spinal problems
• Anoxic brain damage
• s/p infection damage of brain and spine
• Spinal cord injures
• s/p vertebral surgery
• Tumor

Two of the major principles of Israeli rehabilitation are an earliest possible beginning of the rehabilitation process and a proactive approach. This means that the rehabilitation process begins almost immediately, as soon as the immediate threat for patient's life has passed. This approach helps to ensure that the lost functions will be recovered as much as possible. Proactive approach means maximum patient involvement in the process of rehabilitation, both physically and psychologically.

However, passive rehabilitation activities are also employed especially while working with patients in a decreased state of consciousness. Neurological rehabilitation of such patients includes passive stimulation of different areas in the brain responsible for contact with the outside world, such as: auditory, tactile (touch), speech and movement. This increases the chances of the patients to improve his consciousness state.

Stroke is the most common reason necessitating neurological rehabilitation. Stroke results in partial or full paralysis, speech disturbances, and changes of mental status. Similar problems face almost all patients with lesions of the central nervous system.

In neurological rehabilitation procedures are carried out in several major areas such as: improving motor skills, regaining of cognitive skills, proper speech and psychological restoration.

Physiotherapists help retrain patient’s muscles and joints, assist the patient to regain the ability to walk on his own or with the help of supportive devices, and help the patient acquire basic skills of using a wheelchair if necessary.

An important role belongs to occupational therapist, who supports the development of fine motor skills, and teaches the patient writing by hand or by typing on a computer. Occupational therapy also includes cognitive functional training & hobbies. Reuth offers various recreational activities such as: therapeutic horticulture, cookery, pottery, fancywork, carving, computer sessions, etc…

Equally, important roles are fulfilled by the speech therapist who helps the patient restore his voice, speech and language skills as well as by the psychologist, who motivates the patient to recover his place in life.

Additional activities, such as pet- and musical-therapy, can also be part of the rehabilitation program.

The neurologic rehabilitation program for each patient is developed by the team of specialists. Doctors in Reuth act boldly because the human brain has a huge potential for rehabilitation and compensation. The major goal of neurological rehabilitation is to use this potential as fully as possible to return patients to active life.