The nervous system.  It is the most powerful and transformative tool we have to help people heal from trauma and reach their highest level of performance. 

But did you know that, depending on the neurological inputs, we can positively (or negatively) influence the direction of neuroplastic change?⁠ 

Join neurology experts, Ramona von Leden, PhD and Laura Davis, DPT, to explore how you can move past plateaus and regain function with chronic neurological conditions using today’s latest technology in electrical stimulation.   

• Precisely identify overactive or underactive brain areas  
• Engage the nervous system with specific functional movements to get patients stronger, faster 
• Improve outcomes at every stage of rehab and fitness 

Neuroplastic change does take time, but when you incorporate the nervous system alongside functional movement techniques, you can help patients achieve their functional goals much quicker than in traditional rehab! Take the first step in enhancing recovery, boosting performance, and optimizing health as you learn about this novel approach that is changing the way we approach neuroplasticity.  

Relieve pain – Increase ROM – Heal Faster – Increase blood flow – Prevent atrophy – Decrease spasms

Objectives

1. Evaluate the integral concepts of functional neurology 
2. Investigate the foundations of neuroplasticity to inform the clinician’s choice of treatment interventions 
3. Assess alternative approaches for rehabilitation to create neuroplastic changes 
4. Apply functional neurology and neuroplasticity techniques into your treatment plan to improve clinical outcomes.  
5. Analyze the efficacy of using DC current in a clinical setting.

Outline

Functional Neurology and the Neurological Approach to Injury/Health 

• Approach all issues from the nervous system first perspective 
• Create sensory afferent inputs to the brain that will improve motor outputs 
• Balance, proprioception, visual sensory information  

Nervous System Feedback Loop: Why Should Rehab Focus Here? 

• Internal and external inputs, transmission, decision process & output 
• Most rehab work is focused on output and conscious processes 
• Focus on inputs to create new, improved outputs 
• The role of pain as an output 
• Change outputs into performance like strength, power, endurance, flexibility 

Implement a Functional Neurology Approach & Improve Function from the Inside Out 

• ANS function (sympathetic and parasympathetic) 
• Decrease protective responses  
• Structure vs function: enhance the overall repair process 

Tapping into Neuroplasticity to Improve Rehab Outcomes 

• Support and stimulation 
• Proven Strategies 
  • Physical Therapy 
  • Visuomotor Training 
  • Constraint Therapy 
  • Robotics 
• Novel Strategy: Electrical stimulation for muscle, tissue, nerve activation and blood flow 
• Differences in NMES: Direct Current (DC) vs Alternating Current (AC) 

Neurological Approaches: Combine NMES and Functional Rehab for Improved Outcomes 

• Sensory inputs to improve outputs 
• Intentional therapeutic exercises to improve deficits 
• Scanning/Mapping process 
• Differences in frequencies 
• DC & Neuro PT = “more bang for your buck” 
• Targeted treatment approaches for specific impairments 
  • Spasticity  
  • Weakness  
  • Balance/Vestibular  
  • Gait/Functional Activities  
• Examples of outcomes: 
  • Pt with TBI- got off of spasticity meds 
  • Pt with MS - went from wheelchair/recliner to walking 
  • Pt with acute Stroke - went from dependent with transfers to walking with a cane in two months  
• Tips for billing and documentation 

Target Audience

• Physical Therapists