248: Tackling the Challenges of Treating Ataxia With JJ Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS

As rehab professionals, we often face unique challenges when working with patients who have ataxia. In today’s episode Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS, J.J. Mowder-Tinney, PT, PhD, NCS and Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS have a group discussion about working with people with it. One of the primary challenges is that often there can be slow progress. This can be exacerbated by the diverse underlying causes and presentations of ataxia, making it difficult to develop standardized treatment approaches. In today’s show we’ll discuss a couple of main points the research emphasizes to incorporate in your treatments for people with ataxia. We’ll discuss the question of how to divide up your time in the session, how to uncover what their true capabilities are, and how to balance care partner training into sessions.  Some treatment examples include incorporating sensory input, start-stop techniques, resistance training, whole task versus part task training, ocular motor training and visual tracking exercises to address the challenges patients face with balance and stability. Join us for a free webinar on working with patients with Ataxia on Jan 28, 2025! Register here: Navigating Ataxia Treatment: Practical Tools for PTs and OTs