CLINICAL CASES
60 Year old with Multiple Sclerosis
On my second clinical round, I was working with a 60 year old that had multiple sclerosis. I remember we learned in school that fatiguing a patient with MS can sometimes put them back and not really benefit them, so I always kept that in mind when working with this patient. We mostly worked with him in the pool because he enjoyed it the most. It was so amazing to see his face light up when he felt weightless and felt as if he could do anything in the water. When he would have land sessions, it was very challenging for him and he did not like working on there. I think it is important to understand the interventions and how to tailor them to patient with MS.
Interventions:
Aquatic therapy
Treadmill
Lateral walking
SLS
Adductor stretch
Hip swings
Sit to stands
Step ups
Land therapy
- NewGait for dorsiflexion, eversion, and hip extension assist
- Walking
- Side stepping
- Stairs
63 year old with Parkinson's Disease
In my second clinical round, I worked with a lot of PD patients. At my clinic, we were so lucky to have a therapy pool in our clinic. The temperature was perfect for therapeutic use and our patients loved it. In school we talked about amplitude of movements with PD patients and how important it is to start exercising early on when diagnosis of PD. I did a lot of fun things with my patients like punching against jets in the water and on land we would even box. It was so fun! It is amazing what they can all do and will not let this disease take over.
Interventions:
Aquatic Therapy
- Walking length of ™ against jets/without jets
- Alternating punches against the jets
- Shoulder ABD/ADD Horiz ADD/ABD with hydrotone
- Marching with UE movement
- SIt to stands
- Hip ABD
- Jumping jacks
- Running man
- Arm swings
Land Therapy
- Stairs
- Tandem walking
- Tandem stance
- Sit to stands on airex
- Lateral stepping
- Walking big movements forward backward side to side