Neurorehabilitation
Neurological rehabilitation is a doctor-supervised program designed to help patients recover from neurological illnesses or injuries. It also teaches patients to compensate for some lost physical functions through speech therapy, motor therapy, and other treatment methods. Dr Amir Buljina helps many patients in this area as a strategic team member of our organization.
Some illnesses treated by neuro rehab are cerebral palsy, genetic neurological disorders, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, post-polio syndrome, Guillain-Barre syndrome, neuropathies, spinal cord lesions, and stroke.
How neuro rehab works
Neurological rehabilitation aims to help a person live a normal, active, and independent life despite limitations caused by neurological disorder or injury. A person’s mobility and self-perception can be greatly affected by those injury or disorder
Being diagnosed with a neurological disorder can be challenging and overwhelming. The goal of neurological therapists is to help patients and their families overcome the physical, cognitive, and emotional issues that may come along. There are different goals for a treatment depending on areas affected by the disorder.
Rehabilitation helps patients:
- Enhance their functions to be independent on the performance of daily tasks
- Increase strength, balance, and mobility
- Improve speech
- Develop new motor skills that will compensate for lost functions
- Develop emotional and cognitive functions that will enhance self-perception
- Improve a person’s well-being to maintain social interactions
Treatment methods
There are different settings where the therapy can be carried out and will be determined after a patient’s needs are assessed. Rehabilitation can be carried out in-home, inpatient, or through daily treatment programs. There are many treatment methods used to help a patient achieve the goals of neuro rehab.
Some of these are:
- Physical therapy to restore strength, balance, or endurance
- Occupational therapy to restore the activities of daily living
- Speech therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Rehabilitative nursing
- Respiratory therapy
- Patient and family education
- Recreational therapy
- Aquatic therapy
- Vocational rehabilitation
Get to know our neurorehabilitation specialist
AMIR BULJINA, MD, PHD
Dr Amir Buljina was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He trained at Medical University of Sarajevo, Bosnia where he obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree. After moving to United States he completed internship and residency at Medical College of Ohio, Toledo where later worked as Assistant Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is board certified in field of physical medicine and rehabilitation.
His areas of interest include rehabilitation of neurological and orthopedic conditions. Dr Buljina is affiliated with the following hospitals: Boswell, Del Webb, and Kindred hospital. He is member of the American Medical Association and the fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Dr Buljina is married to Taida Buljina, a computer engineer. They have one son. His special interests are photography and soccer.