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Physical Therapy for Stroke
AT EVOLVEny
Physical Therapy for Stroke Rehab
HOW CAN Stroke Rehab Physical Therapy Help Me?
A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a disease of the vessels of the brain caused by either an occlusion or a rupture of a blood vessel. Whether due to a lack of blood flow to the brain or a presence of blood on brain tissue, brain cells are damaged by a stroke which leads to the many symptoms associated with this condition such as muscle weakness, changes in speech, and altered sensation. While patients may recover independently from a very small stroke, in most cases patients will benefit from working with rehabilitation professionals like physical therapists to help promote recovery through neuroplasticity and compensation. Physical therapists address many functional impairments after stroke and work with patients in the acute care hospital, in skilled nursing or inpatient rehabilitation settings, in the home and in outpatient settings to maximize return of motor function and movement.
WHAT DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR A STROKE LOOK LIKE?
Like with all conditions, when treating a stroke we will begin with an initial evaluation to better understand the pattern of symptoms you are experiencing as well as your goals and needs. We will ask you about activities within your life that are being impacted by the stroke as well as about your health history including the type of stroke you had and any other comorbidities you are experiencing. We can then develop an individualized treatment plan based on your needs and the best evidenced-based techniques for the management of stroke. Your treatment program may involve hands-on manual therapy techniques performed by your therapist as well as movements and exercises performed by you in the clinic and at home. Your therapist will provide patient education and assist with the attainment of adaptive equipment when indicated.
WHAT IS A STROKE?
A stroke injures nerve cells in the brain. There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
Ischemic stroke:
- Caused by an obstruction of a blood vessel in the brain which denies necessary oxygen and nutrients to the affected brain tissue
- Accounts for almost 90% of strokes
- The main cause is atherosclerosis or the development of fatty deposits or plaques along the vessel walls
- A blood clot can form at the site of the fatty deposit within a blood vessel that supplies the brain (thrombosis) and occlude blood flow to brain structures supplied by that vessel
- A blood clot can also form elsewhere in the circulatory system (embolism), usually the heart or in the large arteries of the neck, then travel up to the vessels of the brain where it gets stuck in a narrowed artery causing blood flow obstruction. A main cause of embolism is a condition called atrial fibrillation wherein the heart beats irregularly
Hemorrhagic stroke
- Occurs when a weakened blood vessel in the brain ruptures allowing blood to spill into the brain tissue
- Blood accumulates around the area of the ruptured blood vessel and compresses the brain causing damage. The blood itself is also damaging to the brain tissue it contacts
- There are two main types of hemorrhagic stroke
- Intracerebral hemorrhage: occurs within the brain tissue
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: occurs between the inner and outer layers of tissue that cover the brain
- The main causes of hemorrhagic stroke are an arteriovenous malformation or a cerebral aneurysm rupture
- In some cases only supportive treatment is needed while in other cases blood needs to be evacuated from the brain to reduce the pressure on the brain tissues
The signs and symptoms of a stroke differ based on the vessel which was injured and the areas of the brain that are affected. Strokes affecting the face, trunk or limbs will cause symptoms on the opposite side of the body from the location of the stroke. Some of the common signs and symptoms of a stroke, however, are as follows:
- Muscle weakness and loss of motor control in the arm, leg or trunk
- Facial drooping
- Pain
- Changes in sensation
- Changes in bowel and bladder control
- Clumsiness and loss of coordination
- Impaired balance
- Ataxia
- Foot drop
- Difficulty in walking
- Fatigue
- Vision changes
- Changes in cognition and concentration
- Dizziness
- Speech impairments
- Difficulty swallowing
- Muscle stiffness or spasticity
- Fine motor impairments
End Injury Progression
Physical therapy for stroke rehab has proven to prevent injury, slow and even stop pain issues, improve performance, and reverse injury progression in many cases.
Relieve Pain
The movements used in this technique can target your entire body helping you to manage discomfort and pain during the course of your physical therapy treatments.
Improve Range of Motion
Posture awareness is an important area to focus on due to the fact that certain positions may cause you further discomfort and pain.
Restore Mobility
You can regain mobility and flexibility by taking part in the stretches and exercises as prescribed by your physical therapist.
How Long Will Physical Therapy for Stroke Rehab?
If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help with stroke rehabilitation related issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.
PHYSICAL THERAPY INTERVENTIONS FOR STROKE
Physical therapists play a supportive and rehabilitative role in the management of stroke. The main goal of therapy is to promote neuroplasticity of the brain to help repair and replace injured synapses or connections in the brain and to promote reorganization of the brain to restore normal brain function. Intensive, specific and structured rehabilitation is the best method to promote recovery. Neuroplasticity is greatest within the first 3-6 months following the stroke though this does not mean recovery cannot happen after that time period. Where recovery of primary brain function is slow or incomplete, physical therapists will teach patients how to compensate for impairments like lasting muscle weakness, loss of motor control, balance or vision impairments to help restore their prior level of function or maximize functional independence.
Given that the symptoms of a stroke are unique to the vessels involved, your physical therapist will individualize a treatment plan to meet your needs. These are some of the physical therapy interventions and services you may receive when working with your PT.
Patient education: education on topics like energy conservation techniques, adaptive equipment, safety, fall reduction, exercise and more to help you improve daily function and quality of life.
Gait and transfer training: physical therapists can assist in improving gait mechanics, walking endurance and recommend assistive devices for walking. They can assist with learning how to move around in bed, transfer between surfaces, get in and out of the car, bed, shower and more.
Balance training: stroke can cause impairments in balance. Physical therapy can help train the balance systems for sitting, standing, walking and more.
Strength and endurance training: strength training and endurance training to improve muscle performance in the arms, legs and trunk can help with performing daily tasks, participating in exercise, work and recreational activities.
Pain management: physical therapists can help with the management of musculoskeletal pain related to stroke.
Equipment prescription: different types of adaptive equipment and assistive devices can improve mobility, energy conservation and quality of life and your physical therapist can help guide you on which devices are most appropriate.
Aerobic training: Your physical therapist can help you participate in an aerobic exercise program safely.
Experiencing a stroke can be overwhelming but physical therapy can help manage symptoms of this condition and improve function and quality of life. If you are ready to experience how physical therapy can help you, call Evolve today to schedule your initial evaluation.
Mill Basin (located in Harbor Fitness)
6161 Strickland Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11234
Monday: 7am-8pm
Tuesday: 7am-8pm
Wednesday: 8am-5pm
Thursday: 7am-8pm
Friday: 8am-1pm
Park Slope (located in Harbor Fitness)
550 5th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Monday: 9am-8pm
Tuesday: 8am-6pm
Wednesday: 9am-8pm
Thursday: 8am-6pm
Friday: 8am-3pm
Gravesend
372 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Monday-Thursday: 8am-8pm
Friday: 8am-3pm
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PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR STROKE REHAB !
Need physical therapy for stroke rehabilitation?
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Call: 1-718-258-3300