The Role Of Physical Therapy In Stroke Rehabilitation

A stroke happens when your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen due to a blockage or rupture in your blood vessels. The effects of stroke could include loss of motor skills, diminished cognitive functions, and sensory impairment that can lead to permanent disability. In other words, a stroke can drastically change your life and prevent you from doing the things you normally do.

Recovery is possible for stroke patients but progress and results may vary. Physical therapy is recommended to help rehabilitate stroke patients, restore body functionality, improve quality of life, and alleviate pain.

Mobility
Some stroke patients may experience weakness or paralysis on either side of the body, making it difficult for them to manage basic movements. Therapeutic exercises help patients relearn basic body movements, stimulate muscles and nerves, and prevent muscle fatigue and stiffness. Simple exercises like walking a short distance or sitting and standing repetitively can improve mobility and promote rehabilitation.

Balance and Coordination
Stroke patients sometimes experience loss of balance and coordination, which makes movement not only difficult but dangerous. Physical therapists help patients perform exercises to  recover their balance and coordination. These exercises are also helpful in preventing falls and injuries. 

Strength Training
Stroke patients can experience muscle loss due to inactivity in paralyzed areas of the body.  Working on muscle strength plays a vital role in preventing muscle loss. Strength training also helps improve mobility, develop balance and coordination, and reduce the risks of possible injuries.

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
Physical therapists use this technique to exercise a patient’s arms and hands after a stroke. The patient practices repetitive routines to strengthen the use of the weaker arm and hand while restricting movement on the normal side of the body. This helps develop equal strength in the affected and unaffected upper extremities. 

Nutrition Support
Proper nutrition is needed to help in the rehabilitation and recovery of stroke patients. However, stroke patients may experience difficulty in swallowing solid foods and liquids, resulting in decreased intake of nutrients. Intravenous nutrition support for stroke patients provides complete vitamins, minerals, proteins, sugars, fats, amino acids, and other nutrients that boost the immune system and contribute to the recovery process.

Physical therapy helps stroke patients in many ways. Therapists provide the best medical care and attention in order to give the patient the assurance of faster recovery during the rehabilitation period.