Stroke Rehabilitation: The Key to Your Recovery?
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted either due to a blockage (ischaemic stroke) or a rupture to the blood vessels (haemorrhagic stroke). When you have a stroke, the side of your body opposite to the affected side of the brain, may become weak and numb. The size and location of the damage will affect the rate and extent of recovery of the stroke survivor.
Recovery from a stroke
Treatment of stroke depends on the type and location of the clot, obstruction or bleeding that caused it. A stroke is an emergency and your doctor will administer the most appropriate treatment option, one of which is anti-clotting medication, as soon as they determine what is the cause of the stroke, in order to minimise damage to your brain cells which can occur within minutes of a stroke attack.
Stroke rehabilitation
Stroke rehabilitation is important to recover the functional abilities that may have been lost after a stroke. Rehabilitation may commence as early as 24 – 48 hours after a stroke, or once you are deemed as medically stable by your doctor. Rehabilitation will include exercises as well as functional mobility training such as walking, and performing activities of daily living or swallowing therapy.
Where does stroke rehabilitation take place?
- Hospital. Stroke rehabilitation therapy typically begins in the hospital once the condition has stabilised, often within 48 hours after the stroke. The first steps often involve promoting assisted movement to help with range of motion and circulation. A therapist will assist with range of motion exercises to strengthen and increase mobility in stroke-impaired limbs. The patient will also be assisted to regain their ability to stand, walk and carry out basic activities, such as bathing, eating and more.
- Inpatient rehabilitation ward. This ward may be a unit on its own or part of larger hospital complexes. Here, intensive rehabilitation programs are provided. Which may include at least 3 hours of active therapy a day, over 5 or 6 days a week.
- Outpatient facility. These units เล่นเกมคาสิโน UFABET ทันสมัย ฝากถอนง่าย provide rehabilitation care to patient post discharge from hospital. These facilities have multidisciplinary team of therapists providing comprehensive care for patients recovering from stroke. Rehabilitation therapy may involve spending several hours, often 3 days each week for coordinated therapy sessions and returning home post sessions.
- Home-based rehabilitation programs. These programs are suitable for those who prefer to recover in the comfort of their own home. They allow for flexibility in allowing a stroke patient and therapist to tailor a program specific to the person’s needs. They also allow for the person to practice skills and develop strategies in the context of their own living environment. However, a downside to this program is that patients may not have the access to specialised equipment found at typical rehabilitation facilities.
Physiotherapy
Post-stroke physiotherapy will focus on regaining range of motions, physical strength, balance, coordination and movement abilities that were affected by the stroke. The physiotherapist will work closely with you on a mutually set functional goals and work towards regaining as much of the lost functions as possible. Post-stroke physiotherapy will typically include the following:
- Range of motion and strengthening exercises
- Static and dynamic balance training
- Gait re-training with appropriate walking aids and/or specialised equipment such as gravity assisted treadmill walking and robotics