Neuro & Falls Prevention: Supporting Independence in Lambourn & West Berkshire

Living with a neurological condition or coping with balance issues and falls can be challenging. But you don’t have to face it alone. At Kerry Read Physiotherapy, based in the Lambourn / West Berkshire area, we specialise in neuro‑rehabilitation and falls prevention to help you regain confidence, safety, and quality of life.

Understanding Neuro Conditions & Falls Risk

Neuro (neurological) conditions are those affecting the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves. Examples include stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, and others.

These often bring symptoms such as:

• Muscle weakness

• Spasticity or stiffness

• Impaired coordination or balance

• Altered sensation

• Fatigue

• Difficulty with walking, transfers, or performing everyday tasks

  
  

All of these can increase the risk of falls. Falls are more than just slips: they may result in injury, loss of confidence, social isolation, and reduced independence — especially in older adults. In West Berkshire, falls prevention is a priority in public health and community services. West Berkshire Council+2Berkshire Healthcare+2

How Neuro‑Physiotherapy & Falls Prevention Work

Here’s how physiotherapy can help for neuro conditions and falling risk:

1. Comprehensive Assessment – We look at strength, coordination, gait, posture, balance, transfers, your home environment, and the specific effects of your condition.

   
   

2. Tailored Treatment Plans – Exercises to improve balance, mobility, walking practice, strengthening, flexibility, managing tone/spasticity, and fatigue. Practising functional tasks (getting in/out of chair, climbing stairs, etc.) is key.

   
   

3. Hands‑On Therapy & Techniques – Manual therapies, stretching, handling, posture training. Where needed, using walking aids, orthotics, home adaptations, seating support.

   
   

4. Falls Prevention Strategies – Learning safe ways to move, getting up from the floor, improving reaction time, reducing hazards at home, optimising footwear, vision, lighting. Education and exercise set to reduce risk.

   
   

5. Support for Carers & Home Environment – Advice for families or carers; sometimes sessions in your own home to make sure solutions work in your everyday setting.

   
   

6. Community / NHS Services Collaboration – Neuro‑rehab teams, home visits, community based services in West Berkshire that you may be referred to.

   
   

Why Choose Kerry Read Physiotherapy for Neuro & Falls in Lambourn & West Berkshire

If you live in Lambourn or within about 15km of Lambourn (including Hungerford, Newbury, local villages), here’s how Kerry Read is set up to help you best:

• Neuro‑rehabilitation expertise: Helping people with neurological conditions regain function, improve balance, mobility, and daily task independence.

  
  

• Falls Prevention & Balance Training: Specific programs to reduce your risk of falling, build stability, confidence.

  
  

• Flexible home visits, clinic treatment, or online support depending on what works best for you. (We make sure the environment matches your needs so the work transfers into real life).

  
  

• Personalised, goal‑based plans: not just therapy, but making sure the therapy helps you do things you value (walking, getting up stairs, gardening, getting out and about).

  
  

• Multi‑disciplinary awareness: understanding how neurological issues, age, strength, mobility, environment all interact.

  
  

First Steps: If You're Concerned About Neurological Symptoms or Falls

If you or someone you know is experiencing:

• Frequent tripping, unsteadiness, or fear of falling

• Mobility or balance getting harder

• After-effects of a stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, or brain/spinal injury

• Needing help with everyday tasks (e.g. getting up from a chair, climbing stairs)

  
  

Then these are good first steps:

1. Book a consultation with a neuro‑aware physiotherapist (such as Kerry Read) for assessment.

2. Document what’s changing: what activities are harder, when you feel unsteady, whether symptoms vary over the day.

3. Review environment: are there trip hazards, loose rugs, poor lighting, slippery surfaces, awkward furniture?

4. Commit to regular practice: exercises, balance work, and functional tasks (even small ones) are how real change happens.

5. Engage family / carers when helpful. Support with transfers, safe practices, encouragement makes a big difference.

   
   

Local Services & Resources in West Berkshire to Know About

• The Community‑Based Neuro‑Rehabilitation Team (CBNRT) in West Berkshire offers support for people with stroke, Parkinson’s etc., delivering rehab in homes and community. Berkshire Healthcare

• West Berkshire’s Falls Prevention programmes offer advice, classes, home safety guidance to reduce falls risk. West Berkshire Council+1

  
  

How Kerry Read Physiotherapy Approaches Neuro & Falls Prevention

Here’s what working with us looks like:

• Initial Assessment & Goal Setting: Identify what matters to you. What you’d like to regain (walking, confidence, everyday tasks).

• Tailored Treatment & Exercise Programme: May include balance training, gait practice, strengthening, functional transfers, posture work, fatigue management.

• In‑Home or Clinic Environment: Depending on your mobility and what gives you the most benefit. Sometimes home is better for practicing real‑life tasks.

• Education & Self‑Management Tools: Knowing how to reduce risk of falls, safe movement strategies, how to monitor your symptoms and adapt over time.

• Regular Review & Adaptation: As you improve (or if things change), plans are adjusted. We aim not just to restore but to maintain progress and prevent relapse.

  
  

When to Seek Help Sooner

While some symptoms can improve gradually, there are red flags and times when earlier intervention is best:

• If you have sudden weakness, loss of feeling, or coordination (especially after a stroke or injury)

• If falls are frequent, or fear of falling is significantly restricting your life

• If mobility or balance issues are worsening significantly (e.g. you avoid walking outside)

• If any neurological symptoms are causing worry: vision problems, speech/swallowing changes, bladder or bowel control issues

  
  

Conclusion

If you're living with a neurological condition or concerns about falls, the right support can make a big difference. In Lambourn and West Berkshire, Kerry Read Physiotherapy specialises in providing local, goal‑oriented neuro rehab and falls prevention for people of all ages.

Kerry