Mary Rudd Physiotherapy
Rehabilitation in Hillcrest

We proudly offer neurostimulation using Functional Electrical Stimulation with both the RT300 and the RT600 - the therapy that helped Christopher Reeves.
Rehabilitation Physiotherapy focusing on dynamic, amputation, motor neurone disorder, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, intense and one-on-one treatment of spinal cord injury, chronic pain and other orthopaedic and neuromuscular conditions.

We believe that people with neurological injuries such as Multiple Sclerosis, Transverse Myelitis, Cerebral Palsy, and Spinal Cord Injury, require intensive, specialized therapy. ABRT is based on the concept that the nervous system requires an optimal level of patterned activity in order to simply maintain itself as well as to maximize response of regeneration after injury. We attempt to promote neurological recovery by stimulating the nervous system above and below the level of injury through intensive activity. Many different techniques to achieve this important stimulation of the nervous system, one of which is the use of functional electrical stimulation (FES). This is the type of therapy received by Christopher Reeve during his rehabilitation. Clients at our practice often receive one to three hours of physical therapy depending on their specific needs. All sessions are one on one, patient to therapist, and include specific interventions that are tailored to the patient’s needs. Hydrotherapy plays an important role in Rehabilitation Physiotherapy. At my practice in Hillcrest, KwaZulu Natal, we see people whose lives have been affected by spinal cord injuries, neurological problems, orthopaedic injuries, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, arthritis, cancer, cardiac disease, and chronic pain. Each rehabilitation program is tailored to the individual patient’s needs and can include one or more types of therapy. It requires hard work and dedication to regain lost function after severe trauma. The latest arrival is the RT 600 FES Stepper which is at the forefront of treatment for those with spinal cord injury, stroke and traumatic brain injury. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a technique that uses electrical currents to activate the nerves innervating extremities affected by paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI), head injury, stroke and other neurological disorders. FES is used primarily to restore function in people with disabilities. Injuries to the spinal cord result in paralysis below the level of injury. Restoration of limb function, regulation of organ function, treatment of pain, and pressure sore prevention are the main applications. Functional electrical stimulation of those with paraplegia promotes muscle activity in the affected areas. FES for ambulation shows improvements in blood flow to lower extremities and also positively affects bowel and bladder function. The FES cycle ergometer stimulates the muscles in a gait pattern. Electrical stimulation can also be used for central nervous system stimulation to hasten awakening from coma or the vegetative state. Improved circulation, decreasing the likelihood of thrombosis.