Functional limb weakness – People frequently experience difficulties moving their arms or legs properly. They can feel weak or heavy. It may cause difficulties with walking or cause an individual to drop things.

Functional Gait Disorder – Gait is the medical term for walking. A functional gait disorder describes difficulty walking due FND. This may present as dragging the leg, feeling unsteady or having excessive leg movements that are difficult to control.

Functional Seizures – These episodes can look like fainting attacks or epileptic fits, however the person does not have epilepsy. Individuals can experience uncontrolled shaking, become motionless or unresponsive or stare into space without responding to their environment. An individual experiencing these is not always aware they are going to happen.

Functional Tremor – often seen in the arms or leg, individuals can have uncontrolled shaking. It frequently comes and goes and can be of different speeds or intensity.

Functional Dystonia – This is a type of muscle spasm and can cause a body part, usually the hand, fingers or ankle to become stuck in unusual positions.

Functional Drop Attacks – Occasionally people can experience a sudden unexplained drop to the ground without losing consciousness.

Functional Sensory Disturbances – Individuals can experience odd or unusual sensations (pins and needles, sensation of water being poured down a limb) or the sense a body part doesn’t belong to them.

Fatigue – Due to the disruption in movement patterns and the other symptoms experienced in FND, individuals can experience significant fatigue with FND.

Other – problems associated with disturbed vision or speech and swallowing difficulties

It is believed that FND involves a complex interplay of psychological, social, and neurological factors. Trauma, stress, and psychological factors are often considered contributing factors, and there is evidence to suggest that the brain may respond to emotional or psychological distress by producing physical symptoms.

Diagnosis of FND is typically made based on the presence of certain clinical features and the exclusion of other known medical or neurological conditions. It is essential for individuals with suspected FND to undergo a thorough evaluation by healthcare professionals, including neurologists and psychiatrists, to rule out other potential causes of their symptoms.

Yes, FND is treatable. Treatment often involves a multidisciplinary approach, including Physiotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and sometimes medications. The goal is to address both the physical and psychological aspects of the condition. MOTIONrehab are able to address the physical symptoms of the condition and have an extensive network of health professional that we work with to provide the additional team input needed.

MOTIONrehab starts with an assessment to identify our patient’s difficulties and find out what is important to them. After this we put together a personalised treatment programme using hands-on therapy, exercises and state of the art rehabilitation technology to help individuals achieve their goals We will then discuss the options for your rehabilitation including whether intensive rehabilitation would work for you.

On arrival you will be provided with our Terms and Conditions of Business and the relevant consent forms to agree to treatment. If you would like to receive these in advance of your appointment please contact our Client Services Team on 0800 8600 138. and they will assist you. If received in advance please bring the completed document with you to the first appointment.

As part of your initial assessment, your physiotherapist will need to take details of your medical history, present condition, allergies/sensitivities and current medications. Please come to the appointment in comfortable clothing, for example, shorts, t-shirt, and trainers.