Functionally Based Therapies

Functionally based therapies integrate the repetition of everyday tasks. In this method, the therapist trains the patient to continually repeat the task, using compensatory techniques when it is not possible to overcome the loss of function of a limb. The patient's environment or technique may be modified to allow for the lack of function. Basically, these therapies attempt to normalize the spasticity as much as possible through retraining, reproducing, patterning, or positioning the muscles or groups of muscles to mimic normal movements. These techniques attempt to bring the muscle to a state of normal stretch without causing the stretch reflex to react abnormally or co-contraction of agonist muscles.

There are five basic methods of physical therapy for the treatment of spasticity.

• Conventional rehabilitation
• Facilitation
• Biofeedback techniques
• Physical methods
• Orthoses

	Conventional Rehabilitation