Stroke Rehabilitation

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die.

Types of Stroke

There are two main types of stroke:

1. Ischemic stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. About 80% of strokes are ischemic strokes.
2. Hemorrhagic stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. Hemorrhagic strokes account for about 20% of strokes, but they are responsible for about 40% of stroke deaths.

Symptom

Some common symptoms of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination; and sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Treatment

Stroke is a medical emergency. Prompt treatment is crucial because the sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to occur. Treatment options may include medication, such as clot-busting drugs, or procedures to remove clots or repair ruptured blood vessels.

Physiotherapy Treatment

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors. The goals of physiotherapy after a stroke typically include improving mobility, strength, balance, coordination, and overall functional abilities. Here are some common physiotherapy treatments and techniques used in stroke rehabilitation:

1. Mobility training: Physiotherapists work with stroke survivors to help them regain the ability to walk independently or with assistive devices like canes or walkers. This may involve practicing standing up from sitting, walking with proper gait patterns, and navigating obstacles.
2. Strength training: Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body (hemiparesis) is common after a stroke. Physiotherapists use various exercises and resistance training techniques to help improve muscle strength on the affected side.
3. Balance and coordination exercises: Stroke survivors often experience difficulties with balance and coordination, which can increase the risk of falls. Physiotherapists use specific exercises and activities to improve balance reactions and coordination skills.
4. Range of motion exercises: Limited joint mobility can occur after a stroke due to muscle stiffness (spasticity) or muscle contractures. Physiotherapists employ techniques such as passive stretching and range of motion exercises to maintain or improve joint flexibility.
5. Gait training: Walking abnormalities, such as foot drop or circumduction, are common after a stroke. Physiotherapists focus on correcting these abnormalities through gait training exercises and may use assistive devices or orthotics to facilitate proper walking patterns.
6. Functional training: Physiotherapists help stroke survivors practice everyday tasks that are important for independent living, such as getting in and out of bed, dressing, bathing, and household chores.
7. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT): CIMT is a specialized approach that involves restricting the use of the unaffected limb while intensively training the affected limb to encourage its use and functional recovery.
8. Virtual reality therapy: Emerging technologies like virtual reality can be used in stroke rehabilitation to provide engaging and motivating environments for practicing motor tasks and improving motor function.
9. Aquatic therapy: Water-based exercises in a pool environment can provide buoyancy and support, making movement easier for stroke survivors while also providing resistance for strengthening exercises.
10. Education and support: Physiotherapists provide education and support to stroke survivors and their caregivers, offering guidance on exercises, home safety modifications, and strategies for managing daily activities.

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