Core Purpose

To provide excellence in Neurologic Care to Albertans

 

Core Values

• Pursue excellence in all we do

• Integrity will not be compromised

• Dedication to the advancement of patient centered care

• Unwavering commitment to our colleagues

• Foster a culture of mutual respect

• Provide patient care in a healthy, clean and inviting environment

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What is a Neurologist?

A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the nervous system.

 

What is the nervous system?

The nervous system is made of two parts: the central and peripheral nervous system. It includes the brain and spinal cord. 

 

What does a Neurologist do?

Neurologists manage and treat neurological conditions, or problems with the nervous system.

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What is a Physiatrist? 

Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. It reduces your quality of life and restricts daily activities, contributing to higher rates of depression and anxiety. Untreated pain is also associated with an increased risk of health problems like heart disease, respiratory infections, and reduced mobility.  

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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians, also called physiatrists, diagnose the cause of pain and develop a comprehensive treatment plan. They have broad medical expertise to help patients with a range of pain-causing conditions that can occur at any age. 

 

People who are having problems with their senses, such as touch, vision, or smell, may also need to see a neurologist. Problems with senses are sometimes caused by nervous system disorders.

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What does a Physiatrist do? 

Many issues can cause pain, like injury, illness, or medical conditions such as those related to the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, and muscular system. A physiatrist can identify what’s causing pain and help a person manage and treat the issue, with the goal of recovering mobility and functional well-being. 

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To do this, the physiatrist focuses on the whole body — not just a single problem area — and assembles a treatment team to optimize care and recovery, which can include:

• Physical therapists 

• Occupational therapists 

• Primary care physicians 

• Neurologists 

• Orthopedic surgeons 

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A physiatrist’s treatment plan is very specific to an individual patient. Depending on the root of the problem, a physiatrist may focus on: 

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• Neurorehabilitation: treating pain or mobility issues from a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or stroke 

• Pain medicine: for pain management 

• Musculoskeletal care: including symptoms of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis 

• Sports injuries: like tendonitis, stress fractures, and concussions 

• Post-operative care: often necessary for joint replacement, organ transplant, and heart surgery 

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What to Expect with the Physiatrist 

With their broad training, physiatrists provide general medical treatment to treat pain and prevent further disability. At the first appointment, the doctor will speak to the patient about their medical and family history to learn more about what may be causing a problem.  

 

If a diagnosis is needed, the doctor may run tests like X-rays, nerve conduction studies (NCS), and electromyography (EMG) to identify the cause of a problem, informing the next steps for a recovery plan.  

Physiatrists also offer in-office injections including:  

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• Joint and trigger point injections to treat pain-causing bone and soft tissue disorders 

• Injections that treat central nervous system-related pain 

• Spinal therapeutics that can relieve back pain 

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What is an EMG? 

• An Electromyogram (EMG) is done to help find diseases that are related to muscle tissue damage, damage to the nerve, or problems related to gaps that may be found between nerves and the muscles. 

• Usually, an EMG is requested if your physician thinks that you might have a herniated disc. 

• It is also requested to rule out ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 

• It may also be requested for a certain illness called MG, myasthenia gravis. 

• It will also help in finding weakness, paralysis, and even muscle twitching. 
   

What is a NCS? 

• A nerve conduction study, on the other hand, would be requested if your physician would want to know how impulses make your muscle react in certain ways. 

• Remember that your nerves control the muscles in your body by sending an electrical signal which are called impulses. 

• If your muscles do not react in a certain way, there might be a problem with the impulses being sent, hence, the request for such study. 

• If one has nerve and muscle problems, it will cause the muscles to react and function abnormally. 

• This study is requested to know if there is damage to the peripheral side of your nervous system, which means all the nerves that lead away from the brain, spinal cord, and smaller nerves going out to the different nerves. 

• A sample illness that can be diagnosed from this test is carpal tunnel syndrome. 

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What is the vestibular system?

      

The vestibular system includes the peripheral vestibular system (the inner ear and the pathway to the brain) and the central vestibular system (the brain and brainstem). This system is responsible for maintaining balance, stability and spatial orientation. It can do so with the reflexes that coordinate eye and head movements to keep vision in focus, activate neck musculature to stabilize the head and maintain posture to an upright position.

 

What does a Vestibular Physiotherapist do?

      

A Vestibular Physiotherapist focuses on rehabilitation with individualized, exercised-based treatment that can be effective in improving symptoms related to many vestibular disorders. These disorders include vertigo, dizziness, vestibular migraines, concussions, and traumatic brain injury. During a comprehensive clinical assessment, three different compensation mechanisms, or recovery principles are used:

 

•  Adaptation: Involves readjusting the gain of the vestibulo-ocular and vestibulospinal reflexes, where nerve impulses in the brain adapt to the incorrect signals from the damaged peripheral vestibular system.

•  Substitution: Employs alternative strategies to replace the lost vestibular function.

•  Habituation: Occurs through repetitive exposure to provocative movement. 

 

Some examples of vestibular exercises commonly used in vestibular rehabilitation are:

      - Canalith Repositing Maneuver

      - Gaze Stabilization Exercises

      - Balance Retraining

      - Optokinetic Stimulation Exercises

      - Habituation Exercises