Physical therapy is extremely important for patients who have had or who currently have neurological diseases or injuries. The brain and spinal cord control movement and sensation. Injuries to the brain or spinal cord can cause death of the cells that control certain movements and sensations, and therefore you lose function. Without physical
therapy following a neurological injury, patients may lose many functions and not be able to perform certain activities. Decreased activity leads to many other health problems such as heart problems, lung problems, diabetes, decreased independence, and an overall poor quality of life.

Following the injury there is a certain amount of time when the cells that are not injured in the brain and spinal cord, can learn to control the missing functions. Physical therapists are very knowledgeable about human movement and can teach patients how to move correctly again. This can help patients regain some to most of the functions they lost because of the injury. Many patients can learn to live independently again, which makes them happier with their lives.