Stroke Physical Therapy

by Hannes R

Of the more than 700,000 people who suffer a stroke each year in the United States, approximately two-thirds will require some sort of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is used to help these individuals become as independent as possible. Many forms of therapy can assist them in their recovery and enable them to achieve the best quality of life.

There are two types of strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke occurs when brain cells die due to inadequate blood flow, often caused by an artery blockage in the neck or brain. The lack of oxygenated blood that goes to the brain will cause the brain to deteriorate in function, causing your systems to shut down when a cerebrovascular accident happens. A hemorrhagic stroke is a result of a burst blood vessel in the brain that causes bleeding into or around the brain.

How a stroke affects a patient depends on the different parts and amounts of the brain damaged by the stroke. The disabilities caused by stroke vary by individual as a result. In general stroke can cause five types of disabilities: paralysis or problems controlling movement; sensory disturbances including pain; problems using or understanding language; problems with thinking and memory; and emotional disturbances. Motor and sensory impairments can be treated by an experienced physical therapist. Access to physical therapists is no longer limited to physical therapy centers, and patients have a greater variety of options.

Many fitness centers in NC offer the services of experienced physical therapists. Stroke physical therapy often includes exercises to regain the use of stroke-impaired limbs. Several of these exercises can be done at places that also encourage weight loss. NC centers often offer exercise programs including diabetes exercise and stroke physical therapy, as well as Parkinson’s exercises. Careful inspection of a facility’s staff and their ability to perform is suggested prior to committing to a contract.

Some of the skills that you can restore when you undergo stroke physical therapy are walking, grasping, bending, and increased range of motion in stroke-impaired limbs. Physical therapy can also take the form of repetitive motion of affected limbs to encourage brain plasticity. This enables functions that were damaged by the stroke to be taken over by different parts of the brain.

You can recover from stroke, but this will depend upon the many factors that directly affect your condition. How you recover is partially in your control. You can choose an experienced physical therapist and work out a plan for recovery with them. By following the advice of your doctor and therapist, you can rebound from a stroke and lead a quality life.