Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and Exercise: Regaining Control Through Movement

Rewiring the Brain Through Purposeful Movement

 If you’ve been diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), you may feel confused, frustrated, or even dismissed. Symptoms are real—limb weakness, tremors, gait problems, or seizures—but they often don’t follow the patterns of traditional neurological disease.

 At Exercise Matters, we specialise in helping clients with FND rebuild movement confidence, retrain motor patterns, and regain function through evidence-based Exercise Physiology. Recovery is possible—and movement is a key part of the path forward.

What Is FND?

FND is a condition where the brain has trouble sending and receiving signals correctly. It’s a problem with function—not damage. This miscommunication can cause real and disabling symptoms such as:

• Limb weakness or paralysis

• Gait abnormalities (e.g., sudden inability to walk)

• Non-epileptic seizures or episodes

• Functional tremors or spasms

• Fatigue, sensory changes, or cognitive fog

These symptoms are often misunderstood, but they are treatable with a multidisciplinary approach.

The Role of Exercise in FND Recovery

1. Restoring Normal Movement Patterns

Structured, graded movement retrains the brain to reduce "faulty" signals.

• Guided gait retraining

• Arm and leg coordination work

• Task-specific functional drills (e.g. sit-to-stand)

  
  

2. Building Movement Confidence

Many FND symptoms are amplified by fear of movement or anticipation of failure.

• We gradually reintroduce challenging but achievable movements

• Focus is placed on distraction techniques and attention shifting

  
  

3. Promoting Neuroplasticity

Exercise activates the brain’s capacity to form new, healthy neural pathways.

• Consistent movement reinforces efficient motor signals

• Dual-tasking integrates brain-body coordination

  
  

4. Reducing Physical Deconditioning

FND clients often become inactive out of fear or frustration, leading to reduced fitness and strength.

• Cardiovascular and strength training help rebuild overall function

Evidence: Nielsen et al. (2015) and Carson et al. (2020) show that graded physical rehabilitation significantly improves function and reduces symptom frequency in FND.

Our Exercise Physiology Approach at Exercise Matters

We understand the complexity of FND and take a patient-led, collaborative approach:

• We work alongside neurologists, psychologists, and physiotherapists

• Programs are adapted daily based on fatigue, confidence, and symptom triggers

• We prioritise functional outcomes over performance metrics

  
  

Treatment Includes:

• Gait retraining (ground reaction drills, balance work)

• Whole-body strength restoration

• Distraction-focused movements (e.g. catching a ball while walking)

• Cardiovascular conditioning using low-impact methods

• Breathwork and pacing strategies

Case Study: Lara, 29, FND with Right-Leg Weakness and Falls

Lara had difficulty walking unassisted and had stopped exercising due to fear of triggering symptoms. After 10 weeks of Exercise Physiology:

• She regained the ability to walk 100m without her walker

• Her confidence rating improved from 3/10 to 8/10

• She reduced falls and began attending weekly yoga classes

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is exercise safe for people with FND?

Yes. Movement is a cornerstone of recovery. Programs are always adapted to your comfort and ability.

2. What if I can’t do traditional gym workouts?

That’s okay. We use function-focused tasks that mimic real-life movements—not generic workouts.

3. Can exercise trigger symptoms?

Sometimes. But we monitor intensity, posture, and focus to minimise symptom onset—and teach tools to regain control.

4. Do you work with other health providers?

Yes. We collaborate with GPs, neurologists, psychologists, and allied health professionals to ensure continuity of care.

5. Will this be covered under NDIS or Medicare?

Yes. We support NDIS, Medicare (EPC/CDM), and private health plans and can assist with necessary paperwork.

Take the Next Step in Your FND Recovery

FND recovery isn’t about pushing through—it’s about retraining the brain and body together. Let our Exercise Physiology team support your progress in a safe, structured, and empowering environment.

📞 Call (07) 5448 3532 🌐 www.exercisematters.healthcare

References:

• Nielsen G et al. (2015). Physical rehabilitation for functional motor disorders. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.

• Carson AJ et al. (2020). Treatment of Functional Neurological Disorder. Neurol Clin Pract.

• Edwards MJ et al. (2012). Pathophysiology of FND. Lancet Neurology.