If you are reading this comprehensive guide, it is quite likely that you or someone you love has recently received a diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. You have come to this page wondering if physical therapy will help you with the symptoms and complications that occur with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which is also referred to as “Guillan-Barre Syndrome” for short. The good news is, yes, physical therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for those with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Guillain-Barre Syndrome – which is also known as acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) – Is an inflammatory-based neurological disorder that occurs when the immune system within the body directly attacks the peripheral nervous system.
The onset of the condition is often rapid and out of nowhere. Anyone who shows the signs of this condition should seek medical attention as quickly as possible. While considered to be a rare issue, it has been estimated that approximately 3,000 people in the United States alone, will be impacted by Guillan-Barre Syndrome/AIDP annually.
What Causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome to Develop?
In most stances, the development of Guillain-Barre Syndrome occurs immediately after an infection or some other type of medical event. There are other potential causes, too. Below, we will outline each of the potential causes of Guillan-Barre Syndrome and provide a brief explanation of each:
- Infections – In most of the cases of Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it occurs following some type of infection in the body – such as a viral infection, a bacterial infection, or a Campylobacter jejuni infection. Other viruses have also been known to occur prior to the onset of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. These include the fly, the Zika virus, and the Epstein-Barr virus.
- The Immune System – The immune system of the body is designed so that it may combat infections. Sometimes, though, nerve cells are misidentified as invaders. When this happens, the immune systems attack those nerve cells. This then leads to the onset of Guillan-Barre Syndrome. So far, it is believed that a process referred to as “molecular Mimicry” causes antibodies to be created against the target infection that targets the nerve cells directly in the body.
- Vaccinations – In some cases, those that develop Guillain-Barre Syndrome do so after receiving some type of vaccination.
- Trauma – In some cases, a person has developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome immediately following some type of trauma or having surgery performed.
Are There Different Types of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
To date, three different types of Guillain-Barre Syndrome have been identified. The symptoms experienced depend upon what type of Guillan-Barre Syndrome is experienced. Physical Therapy can help individuals in each type of Guillan-Barre Syndrome. The types and a brief explanation of each are listed below:
- Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy – This is also known as “ADIP”. This is the most common of all Guillan-Barre Syndrome types within the areas of Europe and the United States. The most common symptom experienced in this type is weakness in the muscles on the lower part of the body. Eventually, this weakness starts moving upwards.
- Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (AMAN) and/or Acute Motor- Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN) are types of Guillain-Barre Syndrome that are common in Mexico, Japan, and China and less common in the US.
- Miller Fisher Syndrome – This is most common in Asia and less common within the United States, the paralysis starts within the eyes and the sufferer may experience an unsteadiness while walking.
What are the Symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
In most cases, when Guillan-Barre Syndrome develops, the sufferer will have tingling sensations and weakness that starts within the feet and the legs. It will then spread upwards into the upper body region and the arms. Many experience the first symptoms in the face. The condition then progresses and the sufferer will experience weakness of the muscles which will then turn into paralysis. The following outlines the symptoms that may be experienced with Guillan-Barre Syndrome:
- The feeling of pins and needles (tingling) in the toes, the wrists, the ankles, or the ankles.
- Not being able to walk in a steady manner and/or the inability to walk up or climb stairs.
- Weakness in the legs that spread up to the upper body.
- Double vision and/or the inability to move the eyes.
- Problems with facial movements. This could cause problems in talking, swallowing, and/or chewing.
- Trouble breathing may be experienced.
- Severe pain throughout the body that may be similar to an ache, sharp, or even resemble cramps. In most instances, pain is worse at night.
- Patients with Guillan-Barre Syndrome are known to have trouble with their bowels and/or their bladder.
- The heart rate is known to go exceedingly fast.
In most cases, patients experience the worst of the symptoms in the first couple of weeks after they initially start experiencing symptoms. It is important to understand that this is a very serious condition. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical assistance immediately. It is capable of worsening very quickly and hospitalization is required. If a patient gets immediate help, they have a better chance of recovering.
Physical Therapy and Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Physical therapy is known to play a very important role in treating Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The exercises and activities that patients perform help to reduce the negative impact of the symptoms of the condition – such as muscle weakness and pain. Physical therapists have patients do exercises that are designed to strengthen the body, train in balancing and gait, and exercises that aid in functional mobility. The following provides a more comprehensive explanation of the tasks assigned by physical therapists:
- Balance and Coordination Exercises – These exercises help to reduce the impairments caused by certain activities and aid in restoring the sufferer’s coordination and balance. This helps to reduce the risks associated with falls and helps to improve the overall mobility of the patient.
- Range of Motion and Strength – Physical therapists help patients rebuild strength that they have lost within their muscles. In most instances, the emphasis is placed on the lower extremities as these are the areas mostly impacted by Guillan-Barre Syndrome. Stretching and various types of techniques for mobilization. These activities help in maintaining joint health and overall flexibility.
- Respiratory Training – Guillan-Barre Syndrome is known for negatively affecting the muscled that help in breathing. It can also cause fatigue, and result in problems with breathing. A physical therapist will create a special training program focused on respiratory success like improving lung capacity and strengthening the respiratory muscles. An example of these exercises includes diaphragmatic breathing.
- Gait Training – It is a known fact that Guillain-Barre Syndrome causes problems with the patient’s walking patterns. Physical therapists are capable of creating individualized gait training programs that will help in optimizing the patient’s posture, the length of their step, the placement of the feet, and other activities that reduces the overall risk of falls, and optimize/improve that the patient is walking in an effective and safe manner.
- Adaptive Devices – Many physical therapists recommend that Guillan-Barre Syndrome Patients use braces, walkers, and wheelchairs to aid in improving mobility and reducing fatigue.
- Psychological Help – The emotional toll that a patient experiences when they have Guillain-Barre Syndrome is tremendous. Physical therapists can act as a means of support for a patient as they cope with the complications of the illness. They can also help in ensuring that they maintain the most positive outlook possible.
Are There Any Risk Factors to Getting Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
To date, the only risk factors include aging and being a male. It is a fact that more males than females develop Guillan-Barre Syndrome; however, many women get it, too.
Are There Any Complications Associated with Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Being that Guillain-Barre Syndrome directly impacts the nerves; there is a potential for many complications. That is because of the fact that nerves are responsible for controlling the movements in your body and the functions of your body. The following outlines some of the complications that may be experienced with this condition:
- Problems Breathing
- Numbness
- Painful Sensations
- Heart Problems
- Problems with Blood Pressure
- Bowel Trouble
- Bladder Problems
- The Development of Clots
- Development of Pressure Sores
- Relapse
It has been determined that if a patient has more severe symptoms in the beginning of the onset of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, they will have a higher risk of long-term problems. While rare, death may even occur from complications like heart attacks and respiratory distress and/or failure, hypoxia, and similar issues.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, contact us here at Back to Motion Physical Therapy. Our team will be able to educate you on the condition and will be able to customize a care plan – created just for you. We offer exercises, anti-gravity treadmill, dry needling, custom orthotics. If you would like to set up a consultation or have questions, contact us today by calling: 303-832-5577