“I was told I only had a 3-month (6-month, 1 year…) window of time for recovery. Can I really improve beyond that?”

The idea that recovery only occurs within a short amount of time following diagnosis or injury is false! It likely stems from the fact that as treatment interventions are studied, they occur within a rigid set of conditions set by researchers for the purpose of the study. There needs to be a time cut off during clinical research. However, just because stroke recovery has only been studied for 3-months for example, doesn’t mean there is no improvement afterward. Especially if intervention/therapy is continued beyond the study period. As with the example of an adult learning a new language or picking up a new hobby, the neuroplasticity that allows for that is the same neuroplasticity that will allow for an individual to relearn new movement even later into their recovery.

“I haven’t had therapy in many months and my injury/illness was years ago. Is there still room for improvement?”

Similar to the question above, recovery and improvement can theoretically occur at any point. Through manipulating different variables within therapy such as intensity, frequency, novelty, repetition, and skilled therapist facilitation - recovery can still be possible!

“I’ve tried physiotherapy, how is Synapse any different?”

At Synapse we assess and treat patients using the Bobath Concept, the most widely used approach in neurorehabilitation worldwide. While Bobath falls under the umbrella of physiotherapy, it requires additional training and post-graduate education above and beyond receiving a Master’s in Physical Therapy which is the standard in Canada. As Bobath therapists we understand that recovery of functional movement is more than just strengthening. We also understand the complexities of the nervous system and how sensation, cognition, perception, and motor learning play a crucial role in the recovery of function. Most importantly, the Bobath approach allows treatments to adapt and change as you continue to adapt and change through neuroplasticity. We don’t apply the same preset treatments to all clients and we don’t apply machines or modalities and walk away. With a Bobath trained therapist you are getting one-on-one hands on treatment for 100% of the session. Bobath is a client centered clinical approach and it considers both the strengths and challenges that a client faces when treatment plans are formed. Bobath can be effectively applied to conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and many other neurological disorders.