Main description:

This book is an informative guide for both the patient and therapist, and provides a series of exercises that target the most important muscles for those with spastic paresis. Actively practicing the exercises prescribed in this self-rehabilitation manual will allow the patient to see continued improvement in their muscle functioning. Spastic paresis is the consequence of a central nervous system disorder such as a stroke, traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or a tumor of the nervous system, conditions that may have occurred in childhood or adulthood. In spastic paresis two problems coexist: the word 'paresis' means that when the brain sends a command to a muscle to contract, this order is incompletely received by the muscle; the word 'spastic' indicates that at the same time muscles cannot relax normally and have a tendency to be spontaneously overactive. A daily program of prolonged stretching and an intensive motor training program using unassisted large amplitude rapid alternating movements is recommended to gradually increase brain command effectiveness.

Contents:

Part I: Lower limb anatomical review 1.- Hip.- Gluteus maximus.- Hamstrings.- Hip flexor.- Hip extensor.- Hip adductors.- Hip internal rotators.- Knee.- Rectus femoris.- Vastus muscles.- Ankle.- Soleus.- Gastrocnemius.- Lower limb functional exercises.- Part II: Upper limb anatomical review.- Shoulder.- Pectoralis major.- Latissimus dorsi.- Long head of triceps.- Sub-scapularis.- Elbow.- Elbow flexors.- Pronator quadratus.- Pronator teres.- Wrist.- Wrist flexors.- Hand.- Flexors of digits.- Interosseus muscles.- Thumb.- Long thumb flexor.- Short thumb flexor.- Opponens pollicis.- Long abductor of the thumb.- Active thumb deopposition/opposition.- Adductor pollicis.- Appendix.- Personal log sheet lower limb.- Personal log sheet upper limb.- Neuroloco.