A stroke can occur suddenly and unexpectedly, cutting off blood flow to part of the brain and causing permanent damage to central nervous tissue, which cannot regenerate. Survivors may face challenges like difficulty walking, poor balance, and loss of coordination, all of which can impact confidence, mental health, and quality of life. Fortunately, modern supportive treatments, including physical therapy, can help restore abilities and improve well-being.
At JAG Physical Therapy, the trusted leader in physical therapy and rehabilitation in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, we have guided countless patients through stroke recovery using effective, minimally invasive methods with significant physical and psychological benefits. Book your appointment today or learn more about regaining mobility after a stroke.
Why Is Physical Therapy Important After a Stroke?
Due to the destruction of brain cells caused by a stroke, neurological connections we rely on for basic tasks may be severed. For example, a stroke in the cerebral cortex can damage motor neurons, meaning the impulses the brain sends to the muscles of a specific part of the body are weakened or absent. This results in problems like incomplete or shaky motions, such as the inability to close the fingers of one hand all the way or an abnormal walking gait. Altogether, these post-stroke symptoms can only be relieved if the brain and the muscles can be retrained. Some of the latest modalities in physical therapy have been studied for their potential to improve movement via alternative neurological pathways.
As a stroke can potentially harm various parts of the brain while sparing others, the main goals of physical therapy for stroke recovery will vary in each individual situation. Most commonly, due to the usual consequences of a stroke on activities of daily living, building range of motion and coordination are the highest priorities. However, muscle strengthening, flexibility, balance and stability, or other factors might also come into focus. All in all, early intervention is key both for seeing improvement faster and for better stroke rehabilitation over the long term.
What Exercises Help Improve Movement and Mobility After a Stroke?
The exercises used in stroke rehabilitation PT are typically familiar and simple, as training the very basics of movement is often necessary. The role of the physical therapist is to advise the patient and document the progress of their recovery, and use techniques such as manual therapy if necessary to help them successfully and regularly complete their exercise regimen.
Commonly, if a patient needs help regaining the ability to walk after a stroke, they will be guided through gait training. The physical therapist will first administer gait analysis to find out what abnormal movements occur when the patient walks. To alleviate these issues, exercises such as walking-pace treadmill training (for a steady rate of movement), step-ups (for stair climbing), and obstacle walking (to relearn how to avoid tripping) can be used.
Other exercises can be utilized if the patient has problems with other aspects of mobility. Sit-to-stand drills are recommended for individuals who have difficulty changing physical position after a stroke. Leg lifts are used for a combination of strengthening and balance, and a variety of both passive and active exercises can be used to gradually increase range of motion. Whatever exercises are used, they will be tailored to the patient’s condition and the progress of their healing – a physical therapist can slowly intensify the regimen so that this progress can build on itself.
How Does PT Help Stroke Survivors Regain Independence and Confidence?
We tend to take for granted the simple tasks of everyday life – dressing, writing, taking the stairs, and so on. But for many stroke survivors, the ability to do these things is hard-earned. It’s easy for someone who has had a stroke to feel frustrated or helpless, but physical therapists should use their empathy to keep each patient motivated to keep rehabilitating.
Milestone tracking is important not just because it allows PT professionals to make treatment decisions, but also because it tells patients how far they’ve come. Tangible signs of progress and positive reinforcement go a long way in giving a patient the confidence they need to be more independent. Having a stroke and suddenly losing a great deal of physical ability can understandably leave someone depressed or feeling useless or like a burden. Physical therapists recognize this and do their part to facilitate whole-body rehabilitation so that emotional recovery becomes possible as well.
When Should Stroke Rehab Start, and How Long Does It Last?
Currently, the usual medical recommendation is for PT after a stroke to begin very early, often within days of stabilization. Even with modern medical knowledge, however, the brain and nervous system are not nearly as well-understood as other parts of the body. While there are well-defined timelines for recovery from a broken bone or torn ligament, the length of stroke rehabilitation is much more unpredictable. Due to the individualized nature of the brain and the many subtypes of strokes, some patients can improve a great deal within weeks while others will still be dealing with severe symptoms months and years later. No matter a patient’s recovery status, however, they can still benefit from consistently applying physical therapy techniques.
Start Your Recovery Journey with JAG Physical Therapy
If you or someone you care for is in recovery from a stroke, the skilled and compassionate professionals at JAG PT are here for you. Our multi-specialty teams have experience in individualized stroke care and other forms of neurological rehabilitation. Working with patients who have had many different forms of strokes allows us to recognize differing rehabilitation needs and develop a custom PT plan made for the optimal level of stroke recovery progress. Make your appointment at a JAG PT clinic near you to get started rebuilding strength, balance, coordination, self-esteem, and confidence post-stroke.