Physiotherapy management of stroke
It’s vital to note that no two individuals with stroke are the same in terms of the area of damage and the extent of damage. Individual’s may exhibit differences in terms of severity in weakness of upper and lower limbs, speech, gait, hand function etc and hence rehabilitation is adapted to suit the individual’s functional goals and the specific findings upon examination.
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Some individuals may have a mild stroke and may require minimal modifications to their functional abilities while others may need major changes to address mobility, balance and the functional use of the affected hand and leg.
The multidisciplinary team is involved in the early management of stroke. This team comprises of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists etc who provide their input early to improve the recovery of individuals with Stoke.
An early rehabilitation regime is usually effective and aids in reducing complications associated with stroke.
The physiotherapist works through a graduated rehabilitation programme, incorporating daily tasks or functional activities to aid the individual to return to work early. Therapy focuses on:
- Enhancing independence of individuals with daily activities
- Improving the control of affected arm and leg
- Improving balance and coordination
- Reducing pain and tightness
- Improving muscle strength on the affected side
- Re-education of functional tasks – how to stand from sitting etc.
Physiotherapists work with individuals to improve their functional abilities, gait, balance and coordination in various everyday tasks.
Rehabilitation is individualised and focuses on repetition and variations in intensity.
Beneficial exercises
You may be assisted through a variety of movements to enhance mobility and reduce tightness in the affected limbs.
Usually the affected limbs are not able to complete full tasks such as reaching out for to grasp an object.
The physiotherapist encourages the individual to initiate the task and assists him/her to complete it by guiding the arm to the object.
This type of exercise is beneficial as it focuses on improving the movement of the weakened limbs.
These consist of exercises which are performed solely by the individual without assistance from the physiotherapist.
You may be given specific functional exercises such as combing your hair, patting your face with a handkerchief etc. the exercises promotes flexibility in the affected joints and prepare the weak muscles for strengthening exercises.
Balance re-education
Most individuals with stroke have a poor balance. Balance re-education is achieved through a variety of methods to prevent the risk of falls when walking and to improve functional activities in sitting.
Some individuals tend to shift their weight to the unaffected side and find it difficult to balance themselves adequately in order to perform activities even when they are seated. Therefore, balance in sitting is one of the first things you learn in rehabilitation.
Focus is placed on strengthening your trunk muscles in order to maintain your balance.
