Post Polio Rehabilitation

Post-polio syndrome is a disease of the nervous system, which occurs in people who have earlier had polio however it is not a recurrence of the sickness. It affects one's nervous system and muscles in the same way. However, unlike polio, it does not spread from individual to individual. It is usually affected term for describing the signs, which develop several years after acute paralytic poliomyelitis. Submaximal aerobic training has revealed positive effect on muscular strength in people affected by post-polio. Aquatic therapy works greatly for muscle as well as pain function. In people suffering from severe fatigue, it is suggested to do exercise on daily basis.

Treatment programs have been provided in post polio rehab to provide easy access to physical therapy, orthotics and medical care. Post-polio syndrome is a result of long-term overuse of muscles weakened by the sickness. Assistive devices are also used for the treatment of post-polio syndrome. Post-polio rehab clinic makes use of the rehab triage model for the development of best treatment plan for the patients suffering from post-polio. Physicians refer patients to the clinic throughout Northern California.

When the patients come into the clinic for the first time, they get medical evaluation including a best medical history and neuromuscular examination carried out by a board certified physiatrist. A physical therapist also assesses the physical conditioning, exercise programs and muscle strength during the first visit of the patient. Other needs like changes in home atmosphere are even evaluated. The team of experts in the clinic consults for developing the best treatment plan that is set and discussed with the polio survivor to meet his or her needs. Follow-up visits are even arranged as required.

Vocational planning with people who have constant health condition is a difficult process and even creates several challenges for rehab experts. The knowledge and understanding of the counselor of the patient's chronic illness is critical to give successful vocational evaluation. There are several patients who lack information about post-polio syndrome because of restricted rehab information about the disorder.

Following the vaccines that are developed in the 1950s for immunizing people from polio, it has been considered by many people as a sickness of the past. Furthermore, several people who were originally treated with polio prior to that decade believed that their challenges with the sickness were behind them. Unluckily, there are several of these people who are facing secondary disabilities stemming from their polio suffering and are now suffering from reoccurrence of old signs and the development of new issues. It has been assessed that almost one half of the 1.63 million Americans who were treated with polio are not reporting unexpected issues. In spite of the increasing numbers of people getting affected, only a few people know about rehabilitation. Hence, it is suggested to more about post-polio rehabilitation to treat recurrent polio successfully. It is crucial to know about the psychosocial, medical and vocational aspects of post-polio syndrome.