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The Cerebellum: Movement and Beyond

At Birkdale we see many individuals who have conditions that impact the cerebellum – which accounts for 10% of the volume of the whole brain, yet contains greater than 50% of its total number of neurons. The function of the cerebellum goes far beyond its commonly recognized role in balance and coordination. Cerebellar anatomy and its influence on various regions in the central nervous system is complex. The cerebellum’s most visible function is coordinating voluntary movements. It integrates information from sensory systems and the cerebral cortex to fine-tune motor actions, ensuring smooth and precise movements. This is why damage to […]

Upper limb rehabilitation after stroke

Stroke can have a profound impact on an individual’s life, frequently leading to physical impairments and loss of upper limb function. Loss of motor control, weakness, spasticity and sensory deficits can significantly affect a person’s ability to perform daily activities. However, with timely and consistent rehabilitation, significant improvements in upper limb function are possible. Below we will explore the importance of upper limb rehabilitation after a stroke, treatment approaches used at Birkdale and strategies to promote recovery. The impact of stroke on the upper limb The impact of a stroke on the upper limb can vary depending on the location […]

A Diry Of A Zing – A story inspired by FES (Functional electrical stimulation)

Here is a story by 8 year old Elina who was inspired by watching her Grandfather receive FES on his hands. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been found to be effective in regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). Part1 Zingy the boy I was gowing to sleep for my old 24 sleep as u shal. I sleep all day all knight, every 24 hower it feels like 24 years however if I try to wake I sleep its like I am in a rialty world evry thing is just wird not just rely werd so I disided on Friday […]

Why does your body feel different after a stroke?

As physiotherapists, we notice that most people we assess who have had a stroke present with reduced (or lack of) sensation. We recognize five senses of the body, which are perceived through sensory organs. Knowledge of the role of the sensory system can be harnessed to rehabilitate our patients successfully. The Sensory System The sensory system is responsible for processing sensory feedback from our environment, including touch, hearing, smell, taste, and sight. This system contains sensory receptors, neural pathways, and areas of the brain involved in sensory perception. There are several ways of perceiving touch. We can distinguish between hot […]