Physical Therapy For Stroke Patients; Physiotherapy after a stroke is a crucial part of the recovery process. It helps patients regain mobility, strength, balance, coordination and independence.
It also teaches the brain how to perform certain tasks and activities after a stroke. This process is called neuroplasticity.
Strengthening Exercises
With strengthening exercises, stroke patients can increase their strength, improve activity, and reduce spasticity. In fact, a meta-analysis found that strengthening interventions increase strength (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13 to 0.54) and activity (SMD 0.32, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.53) without increasing spasticity.
Exercise can help stroke survivors regain movement in their hands and other muscles involved with daily tasks like eating or dressing. The occupational therapist Sarah Lyon recommends three easy at-home exercises to speed up the return of hand function after stroke.
Hold a water bottle with your non-affected hand to do this arm recovery exercise and push the bottle laterally across a table. Your affected arm should then be pushed back to the starting position. Repeat the movements ten times.
Range of Motion Exercises
Physical Therapy For Stroke Patients; A healthy range of motion (ROM) is essential for a body that functions comfortably and productively. A joint’s ability to flex and extend is determined by the strength and flexibility of its bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and connective tissue.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a range of motion for joints of 133 to 153 degrees, depending on age and gender. A limited ROM can limit your mobility, decrease your quality of life, and increase your risk of injury.
Fortunately, stroke patients can improve their range of motion through physical therapy. Using both passive and active range of motion exercises, physical therapists reduce spasticity in the affected joints and limbs and regain the strength and control lost during the stroke.
For example, hand exercises are a great way to reduce stiffness and build strength and dexterity. You can do these exercises yourself, or ask a friend or family member to help. Doing these exercises at least three times a week would be best to see significant results.
Mobility Exercises
Mobility exercises are a key part of Physical Therapy for stroke patients. They are useful for lowering the risk of injury from falls, increasing muscle strength, and enhancing balance and coordination.
Your therapist will work with you to set goals that depend on your abilities and interests. These can include getting up from a chair, walking or climbing stairs.
They may also include activities to help you stay mobile after a stroke, such as using an orthosis, prosthesis, cane or walker.
The necessary equipment for these workouts is minimal, and they may be performed at home. They are a great way to maintain strength and mobility after leaving the hospital.
Feeling comfortable and secure is one of the most crucial things to keep in mind while engaging in rehabilitation exercises. If you experience pain or other discomforts, stop and ask your doctor for help. This is because the discomfort could indicate that you are causing new damage to your muscles and joints and should be addressed immediately.
Physical Therapy For Stroke Patients – Hydrotherapy
The use of water as a therapeutic medium has led to the development of a treatment modality known as hydrotherapy. This includes soaking in a warm bath at home, using special tanks or pools or even taking a shower with pressurized jets and cold or hot water.
While it’s not always effective for every ailment, many patients find it helpful to supplement other hydrotherapy treatments to relieve pain and increase mobility and flexibility. It can also rehabilitate patients after surgery or injuries that reduce their range of motion or strength.
At Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin, we see patients for various diagnoses and concerns, including Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, and any pain, mobility, or flexibility issues.
Physical therapy in the pool is especially beneficial for people experiencing discomfort while performing land-based exercises, like squatting or balancing. Working in the water also allows patients to feel more comfortable while performing these activities, which can be crucial for improving their overall confidence.
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