Hibiscus Neuro Rehab

Hibiscus Neuro Rehab Hibiscus Neuro Rehab offers physiotherapy services for individuals with neurological conditions.

Our expert team provides comprehensive assessments and personalised treatment plans to help patients achieve their goals, and live their best lives.

The management of foot drop after a stroke requires a comprehensive and individualised approach. Many factors can contri...
06/03/2026

The management of foot drop after a stroke requires a comprehensive and individualised approach. Many factors can contribute to to a foot drop including:

Muscle weakness at the front of the ankle can cause the foot to drop instead of lift up during walking and stepping. The degree of muscle weakness needs to be assessed properly, and the correct treatment implemented. For very weak muscles – a high dosage of repetitions, at a low load, is required to increase neural drive to the muscles. Once these muscles gain more strength a progressive overload protocol can be applied. In some cases, functional electrical stimulation may be required to help activate the very weak muscles of the ankle joint to help with muscle activation and strengthening.

Spasticity in the opposite muscle group in the ankle is also very common follow a stroke. This causes the foot to be pulled down during walking – contributing to the drop of the foot. Early intervention is required to help an individual learn to decrease this excessive muscle activity and also to strengthen these muscles. Stretching is good for these muscles, but it will not be enough overcome the effects of the spasticity over time. In some cases, the use of Botox therapy may be indicated – this needs to be determined case by case, and your physiotherapist will be able to help with this decision making.

Sensory loss - the loss of feeling in the foot and ankle, including proprioceptive loss which is the loss of awareness of where your foot is in space can also contribute to foot drop after a stroke. Sensory retraining is often a vital part of rehabilitation, as sensation helps to drive accurate movement of the foot. Being able to feel the position of the foot, and move the foot in an accurate sequence will help to improve foot drop.

In some cases when there is very little recovery of ankle movement, an ankle brace/orthosis may be required. There are many types, and prescription needs to come after a thorough walking assessment. Often a referral is made to an orthotist who specialises in prescription and fitting of ankle foot orthosis (AFO)

There have been a lot of studies looking into the best way to set up rehabilitation for the arm after a stroke or brain ...
03/03/2026

There have been a lot of studies looking into the best way to set up rehabilitation for the arm after a stroke or brain injury. There have been lots of different schools of thought that have come about, and the bottom line is that people learn what they practice.

🤔 So, how can you set yourself up to be more successful at relearning a new skill after a stroke or brain injury?

The bottom line here is that if you want to learn something new – you have to practice that skill. If a person’s goal is to learn how to use a knife and fork, then training should replicate the task they want to learn. Valuable time should not be wasted on non-specific practice.

In the early days after stroke or brain injury, practising the desired task might feel impossible. You need to get access to a knowledgeable clinician who can help you identify what the essential components of the movement task are and the correct starting point to start retraining the task.
It’s bit like being a detective – we need to work out what parts are working well and where the difficulties are - then set you up to be able to start working towards that goal in small successful stages – we call these shaping tasks.

Learning to use a knife and fork is a good example of a functional task that can be broken down into different components/shaping tasks to practice and then put together as the whole task to practice.
A huge part of gaining success at learning the new skill is being set up with home practice, using every day, readily available items that you can find in the home so that you can replicate the practice you do in clinic.

Then the next piece to success is doing enough practice!! More, More, More. You should be doing 100’s of repetitions of shaping tasks and whole task practice if you really want to make progress and consolidate the skill. Practising these repetitions in blocks over the day will help to promote neuroplasticity and help consolidate new learning.

02/03/2026

🧠 Stroke Rehab in NZ: What You Need to Know 🇳🇿

In this video, Sarah will be answering three key questions about stroke rehabilitation in New Zealand:

1. What are stroke rehab options in NZ?
2. How can you access stroke rehab services?
3. Are stroke rehab services free?

Stay tuned to find out everything you need to know about stroke recovery and the support available to you in New Zealand 🇳🇿 💪

Brain Boost Bite ✨ 🧠 After a concussion, it’s not always just one thing that makes your thinking feel slow or foggy. Sle...
01/03/2026

Brain Boost Bite ✨ 🧠

After a concussion, it’s not always just one thing that makes your thinking feel slow or foggy. Sleep quality, hydration levels and mood all play a powerful role in how clearly your brain functions day to day.

If you’re noticing cognitive sluggishness, zoom out and look at the foundations first. Are you sleeping enough? Drinking enough water? Supporting your mental wellbeing? Small adjustments in these areas can make a noticeable difference. 💚

Recovery is not just about time — it’s about giving your brain what it needs to heal well.

26/02/2026

🌀 Are you struggling with your balance? It could be your vestibular system!

Today, Sarah talks about how your inner ear plays a HUGE role in keeping you steady. When something’s off—like dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness—it can impact your daily life. At Hibiscus Neuro Rehab, we specialise in treating balance issues caused by the vestibular system.

Dizziness shouldn't be something you have to put up with, so come in and see one of our amazing physios for an assessment and treatment plan to get you feeling steady and confident again 😊

👂Perilymph Fistula 💫 A perilymph fistula is an uncommon cause of vertigo and loss of balance. It occurs when there is an...
25/02/2026

👂Perilymph Fistula 💫

A perilymph fistula is an uncommon cause of vertigo and loss of balance. It occurs when there is an abnormal connection between the inner ear (where perilymph fluid is located) and the middle ear or the surrounding structures. This condition can lead to leakage of perilymph, the fluid that helps transmit sound vibrations and maintain the balance of the inner ear.

Perilymph fistulas can occur due to various factors, including head trauma, barotrauma (changes in pressure, such as during diving or flying), congenital conditions, or after ear surgery.

The symptoms of a perilymph fistula can vary from person to person, but common symptoms include:

1. Hearing Loss: This can range from mild to severe and may affect one or both ears.
2. Tinnitus: This is a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears that can be constant or intermittent.
3. Vertigo: A sensation of spinning or dizziness that may be triggered by changes in head position or movement.
4. Balance Issues: Difficulty maintaining balance, which can increase the risk of falls.
5. Pressure Sensation: Some individuals may experience a feeling of fullness or pressure in the affected ear.
6. Nausea: This can occur, especially if vertigo is present.
7. Worsening Symptoms with Activity: Symptoms may worsen with physical activity, straining, or changes in atmospheric pressure (like flying or diving).

Diagnosis typically involves a thorough clinical assessment and sometimes imaging studies or specialised tests. Treatment may vary based on the severity and cause of the fistula; options can include conservative management or surgical intervention to repair the fistula and restore normal fluid dynamics within the inner ear.

It's important to note that the symptoms of a perilymph fistula can overlap with other ear-related conditions – particularly BPPV. There are key differences in presentation, triggers, and diagnostic approaches that can help distinguish between the two. If you are someone experiencing these symptoms, especially after a head injury or sudden change in pressure, then seek assessment by someone who is experienced in the inner ear, such as a vestibular physiotherapist or ENT.

🧠 Brain Boost Bite ✨ Brain fog can feel frustrating, especially when you’re trying to focus, process information or get ...
23/02/2026

🧠 Brain Boost Bite ✨

Brain fog can feel frustrating, especially when you’re trying to focus, process information or get through your day. One simple factor that is often overlooked is hydration. Even mild dehydration can affect concentration, memory and mental clarity.

Keeping your fluids up is a small habit that can make a meaningful difference to how clearly your brain functions. Simple, consistent habits support stronger neurological health over time.

Stay tuned for more Brain Boost Bites!

🟢 So often we have clients come in for an assessment for their vertigo and report that they have been trying to do the E...
18/02/2026

🟢 So often we have clients come in for an assessment for their vertigo and report that they have been trying to do the EPLEY maneuverer themselves at home (often repetitively each day) and it hasn’t been helping them.

The Epley maneuverer is a specific canal repositioning treatment maneuverer to treat BPPV in either the right or the left posterior semi-circular canal. The Epley can only be effective when it is used to treat the correct canal. In the inner ear, we have 6 semi-circular canals, 3 on the right, and 3 on the left. Before the Epley is used to treat BPPV it’s really important that you are assessed first - to determine that you actually have BPPV, and then to establish which canal the BPPV is in. If you do not know which canal the BPPV is in, then the Epley will not help to treat the BPPV or resolve your vertigo. There is also a risk that you can worsen your BPPV by shifting the crystals into another or multiple canals.

It is also important to consider that your symptoms of vertigo or dizziness are not always a result of BPPV!! Before undertaking any treatment, it is really important to have an assessment by a vestibular therapist to determine the root cause of your symptoms. Once BPPV has been established, your vestibular therapist will then be able to prescribe any further canal repositioning maneuverers to do at home and give you individualised instructions on how to specifically for your BPPV.

🙏 Please get assessed for BPPV before you start doing the Epley at home!

18/02/2026

🌀 Look after your vestibular system! 🌀

You can retrain your balance system at any age—your brain is always capable of adapting! If you’ve experienced dizziness or unsteadiness, vestibular rehab can help reset and strengthen those connections. But retraining is just the first step! 💡

Once your vestibular system is working better, it’s important to keep challenging and strengthening it so dizziness doesn’t return. Keep moving, stay active, and give your balance system the workout it needs!

Traumatic BPPV is a form of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) that occurs after a head injury, such as a concu...
17/02/2026

Traumatic BPPV is a form of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) that occurs after a head injury, such as a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI)

💡 What is Traumatic BPPV?
- Caused by mechanical trauma to the head that dislodges otoconia (tiny calcium carbonate crystals) from the utricle into the semicircular canals of the inner ear.
- Can occur after even mild trauma, like a sports-related concussion or whiplash.
- The dislodged crystals cause abnormal stimulation of the vestibular system, leading to brief vertigo triggered by changes in head position.

The incidence of BPPV after trauma occurs in around 15–28% of cases, so as neuro physio’s we do see this condition, and it is often overlooked due the al the other symptoms that can be present after a head injury or concussion.

Recurrence is more common in traumatic BPPV than in idiopathic cases. For traumatic BPPV, recurrence rates are up to 50–60%, and may occur within months. Multi-canal involvement and bilateral BPPV are more frequent after trauma, increasing the complexity and recurrence risk.

🤔 Why Does Traumatic BPPV Recur?

There are several proposed reasons:
1. Greater damage to the otolith organs (utricle or saccule) from the initial trauma = more otoconia dislodged or loosely attached.

2. Structural damage to the inner ear or vestibular nerve pathways

3. Inadequate or delayed treatment of the initial BPPV = lingering or misdiagnosed symptoms.

4. Associated cervical or central vestibular dysfunction = reduced head movement, impaired compensation, or incorrect signal integration.

🟢 FOUR WAYS VESTIBULAR REHAB CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE 🟢 Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialised form of therapy involvin...
17/02/2026

🟢 FOUR WAYS VESTIBULAR REHAB CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE 🟢

Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialised form of therapy involving exercises and interventions that aim to improve balance, reduce dizziness, and enhance overall stability.

Here are 4 ways vestibular rehabilitation can positively impact the lives of older adults:

1. IMPROVED BALANCE: Targeted exercises help strengthen the muscles involved in maintaining balance, reducing the risk of falls and enhancing overall stability.

2. ENHANCED SPATIAL ORIENTATION: Vestibular rehabilitation can improve an individual's spatial awareness, making it easier to navigate their surroundings with confidence.

3. INCREASED INDEPENDENCE: By addressing vestibular issues, older adults can regain the ability to perform daily activities independently, promoting a sense of autonomy and self-reliance.

4. QUALITY OF LIFE: Participants often report increased confidence, a greater sense of well-being, and a renewed enthusiasm for engaging in life.

In the pursuit of a high quality of life for older adults, it's essential to consider the role of vestibular rehabilitation. As we continue to prioritise health and wellness, integrating vestibular rehabilitation into the care of older adults can make a significant difference in their overall quality of life.

You can book a FREE 15-minute consultation with one of our amazing staff members today 💚 Call 09 424 3254 to book a time that suits you!

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3/55 Karepiro Drive Stanmore Bay
Auckland
0930

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Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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