Physical Therapy for Motor Function Deficiencies
If you’ve been experiencing issues with dexterity, balance, and coordination, or you suddenly feel like you don’t have the stamina or physical agility to complete basic daily tasks or activities, you may be coping with a motor function deficiency or motor impairment. There are many possible causes of motor function deficiencies, including genetic disorders, damage to a body part from an accident, complications from aging, or injuries to the brain or spinal cord. Although dealing with a condition like this can be daunting and difficult, the good news is that you can improve or even regain your strength, muscle control, and more through practical rehabilitation methods taught to you by a physical therapist.
At Evolution Physical Therapy, we know exactly how to address complex physical concerns affecting various parts of the body. Whether you’ve been experiencing minimized sensation or lack of control over your muscles, our team of specialists will work to assess the situation and draft out a practical plan to help you meet your physical goals and expectations moving forward.
If you suspect that you have a motor function deficiency, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists. We’ll take the time needed to get to know you and provide support throughout the entire rehabilitation process.
What are Motor Function Deficiencies?
Motor function deficiencies, or motor impairments, are conditions in which a person either has limited or complete function loss affecting part of their body, most often the arms or legs. Because of this, the person may experience physical weakness in their muscles, a lack of energy or control of the muscles, and possibly even paralysis.
Types of Motor Function Deficiencies
There are several types of motor function deficiencies that require proper care and treatment. Some patients come to us with a spinal cord injury or amputated limb, while others experience difficulties with motor function due a lifelong or newly acquired disease. Lack of motor function, whether partial or total, can make even the most basic of tasks more difficult, including walking, getting ready for the day, working, or getting from place to place. Some conditions that cause motor function difficulties include:
- Cerebral palsy – This condition is neurological in nature, resulting from brain damage during development in the womb. It’s considered a developmental disability because of the way it influences the brain’s ability to grow, and is one of the main causes of childhood disability. Symptoms include challenges with posture, muscle tone, and coordinated movements. It is considered a movement disorder because it interrupts the controlled muscle movements of the body.
- Multiple sclerosis – MS is an autoimmune disease that impacts the central nervous system. The immune system identifies a person’s myelin cells (protective sheaths for brain and spinal cord nerves) as foreigners to the body and attacks them. This unfortunately interrupts essential neural signals to the body for normal body functions such as vision, movement, and tactile perception. This may result in vision changes, muscle weakness, spasms, balance problems, pain, and numbness.
- Muscular dystrophy – This an umbrella term for more than 30 genetic disorders negatively affecting a person’s skeletal muscles. Depending on the specific diagnosis, different muscles in different areas of the body can be affected. Symptoms include weakness of the muscles, muscle atrophy, joint stiffness or looseness, abnormal walking ability, and permanent muscle, tendon, or skin tightness.
Can Physical Therapy Help People with Motor Impairments?
Physical therapy can greatly improve a person’s motor function. At Evolution Physical Therapy, our treatment plans are focused on the particular diagnosis and the patient’s unique goals. Whether the condition is moderate or severe, physical therapy treatments can meet the patient where they’re at and help them get back to doing what they love. Exercise plans can be designed to increase muscle strength and stamina, help with motor learning and control, improve balance, restore sensation, and much more. The guidance of a physical therapist can also ensure that you are able to practice safe exercises at home for long term results.
PT Exercises for Motor Function Deficiencies
Using a personalized treatment plan, your physical therapist will help you move more comfortably and retain your muscle strength and control. Our PT plans for those with motor function deficiencies often include proprioception training, stretching, range of motion exercises, flexibility training, balance exercises, and exercise routines focused on specific daily tasks.
Treatment for Motor Function Deficiencies at Evolution Physical Therapy
Whether you have Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s Disease, working with a physical therapist is a positive step forward that allows you to take control of the way you live and move each day. Your therapist will give you a detailed yet achievable game plan that includes a series of exercises to help you get back to doing what you love, both at work and at home. Some of the many services we offer at Evolution for those facing motor impairments include:
When to see a Physical Therapist for your Motor Impairment or Deficiency
If you are dealing with physical issues due to a motor function disorder or recent injury, you should prioritize finding a team that will put your needs first. At Evolution Physical Therapy, we work with patients throughout California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Long Island, offering comprehensive care, education, and support from our specialized PT providers. Request an appointment online or give us a call today to set up an appointment for the PT care you deserve.
