Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely!  There is clear scientific evidence that advances in strength, mobility and balance can be achieved even in individuals in their 90’s.  We have the know-how and the equipment to design a safe, effective program to help individuals regain strength and mobility and improve balance skills.  These abilities are crucial to maintaining functional independence at home and for preventing falls or injuries.

‘Evidence-based’ means based on rigorous scientific research.  For many years, neuro-rehabilitation was based on convention (i.e. therapists practiced either familiar methods that had never been rigorously tested or the latest ‘fad’ treatment that may have had an equally weak theoretical background).  While many clinics now claim to provide ‘evidence-based’ therapy, the term has, unfortunately, become a ‘buzz word’ without the necessary substance.  Therapy at NeuroGym® was born out of a science background and always stresses the importance of analytical thinking when applying a treatment regime and producing measurable, quantifiable results. Dr. Nativ authored an article for the Ottawa Stroke Survivors Association Newsletter that sets out the type of information one would need to gather to evaluate whether a neuro-rehab clinic is truly ‘evidence-based’.

No, but our services are covered under most auto insurance and extended healthcare plans.

The Hand Centre at NeuroGym® Rehabilitation is a new service that is specially equipped with leading edge technology such as advanced biofeedback as well as Saebo technology and muscle stimulation.  In addition, we have the continuum of equipment available at NeuroGym® Rehabilitation, so that as movement and motor control is re-established, we can advance to more complex biofeedback training as well as functional strength training.

Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining balance, mobility and daily living activities.  There is a growing consensus among researchers in the medical and rehabilitation fields that effective exercises are important for both symptom management (gait, tremor, balance & coordination, grip strength etc) and possibly for slowing disease progression.  We have worked with individuals with Parkinson’s disease for many years and have the enabling equipment to allow for safe, effective practice of motor challenging tasks.

Multiple Sclerosis is a complex disease process with varying degrees of progression.  In general, though, maintaining strength and mobility can be key to slowing the effect of the motor deterioration.  NeuroGym® has had outstanding results in the last 2 decades treating people with MS to slow the decline and in some cases even improve strength, range of motion and balance so that function is improved and the sequelae reduced.

Yes, NeuroGym® Rehab is a mobility enabling centre that can improve the motor deficits underlying coordination/balance problems through effective training of strength, balance, control and coordination.  This type of training can significantly help improve the motor deficits.

For many years, it was believed that  improvement in physical abilities post-stroke was limited to about 6 months – 1 year.  So much has been learned about ‘neuroplasticity’ (the brain’s ability to adapt through changes in the neural pathways and synapses), and it is now clear that improvement is still possible many years post-stroke.  For this improvement to happen, it is important for rehab therapy to optimize the possibility for neuroplastic changes to take place.  NeuroGym®’s techniques and tools are designed to do this by ensuring that:

1. Movement is patient-initiated (passive movement will do little to advance neuroplasiticty)
2. Speed sensitive – moving to specific targets at varied speeds (an element of goal-directed movement)
3. Intensive – changing neural pathways requires extensive practice – we have the equipment and experience to make this enjoyable and effective

When evaluating a potential rehabilitation clinic, it is important to ensure that it practices ‘evidence-based’ therapy.  This means treatment methodologies that are based on scientific research, not on unfounded ‘that’s the way we’ve always done things’ clinical practices.  Unfortunately, ‘evidence-based’ has become a ‘buzz word’ lately, so you will have to know what to look for. Dr. Nativ authored an article for the Ottawa Stroke Survivors Association Newsletter that sets out the type of information one would need to evaluate a neuro-rehab clinic.

1. Movement is patient-initiated (passive movement will do little to advance neuroplasticity)
2. Speed-sensitive – moving to particular targets and at particular speeds
3. Intensive – changing neurals pathways requires extensive practice – we have the equipment and experience to make this possible and effective