The Importance of Physical Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke affects millions of people around the world, making it the leading cause of physical disability. After the stroke, it takes months to recover and regain complete mobility.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 15 million people experience a stroke worldwide every year.

Physical therapy helps stroke patients regain their independence and strength. With physical therapy, patients can gain significant improvement in muscle coordination and overall mobility. The treatment eventually enables patients to lead an independent life.

This article gives an overview of a stroke, its risk factors, affects on the body, and explains how physical therapy can support your stroke recovery.

Key takeaways

• Physical therapy plays a vital role in restoring motor function, strength, and mobility following a stroke.
• Therapy promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s capacity to rewire itself, which is essential for restoring lost skills.
• Rehabilitation programs are individually adapted to the patient’s respective objectives, impairments, and rate of progress.
• Physical therapy typically complements occupational and speech therapy to form a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

Risk factors of stroke

Smoking, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol levels, lack of physical activity, and high blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke by damaging the blood vessels and contributing to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). As a result, blood clots may form, blocking blood flow to the brain, leading to a stroke.

What does a stroke do to the body?

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a particular part of the brain is interrupted. When this blood flow is blocked, brain cells degenerate, disrupting the body’s movement and cognition. In this case, paralysis is common, which is the dysfunction of a muscle.

Physical disability occurs on the side opposite to the affected part of the brain. People experience a stroke in different parts of the body, such as struggling to walk, using their hands, arms, or legs, problems with speaking, and difficulty balancing.

A stroke can lead to weakness in one side of the body, a phenomenon known as hemiparesis. In worst cases, complete paralysis (hemiplegia) of an entire side of the body may occur, due to brain damage.

Physical therapy for stroke rehabilitation

Physical therapy is done by experienced professionals who possess the training in the mobility mechanisms of the human body. They perform various techniques and exercises to help patients regain control of their body movement, balance, and independence.

During physical therapy, patients are instructed to repeat body movements known as redundancy, which allows their body and brain to reconfigure through a process called neuroplasticity.

In the initial examination, the physical therapist assesses the patient’s abilities, strength, coordination in physical mobilization, and any restraints that could hinder recovery. Through this examination, the physical therapist makes a customized plan for the rehabilitation process.

The techniques involved in the rehabilitation process can encompass motor skill exercises, range of motion therapy, mobility training, and constraint-induced therapy. In addition to these techniques, others are also practiced that are driven by technology, such as functional electrical stimulation.

How does physical therapy help?

The role of physical therapy in stroke rehabilitation is given below:

• Boosts muscle strength: Repetitive exercises and regular activities enhance the muscle capabilities and strengthen the overall body.

• Improves range of motion: Therapeutic exercises are used in physiotherapy to help injured muscles and joints regain their range of motion and flexibility.

• Reduces chronic pain: Techniques such as manual therapy, heat treatment, and cold therapy can help alleviate chronic pain caused by injury or stiffness.

• Supports functional training: With a comprehensive approach to recovery, therapy helps patients relearn everyday tasks, increasing their independence.

Conclusion

Physical therapy can contribute to a smooth recovery following a stroke. It aids in regaining movement, enhances independence, and minimizes pain.

It consists of various exercises and techniques like heat therapy, manual therapy, technology-based therapy, to help people who have suffered a stroke recover and regain independence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best exercise for stroke patients?

To help increase flexibility and prevent contractures, a condition that worsens after a stroke and causes excessively rigid, tight muscles, stretches, and range-of-motion exercises are usually advised. For patients at risk of falling, balance and core exercises are recommended.

2. What are the signs of recovery from a stroke?

The following may be the signs of recovery from a stroke: 

• The first three months see the fastest progress, but it continues for as long as you work toward recovery.
• Independence grows as you engage in daily activities.
• Feeling drowsy or exhausted may indicate that you are recovering from a stroke. However, it should be discussed with a physiotherapist.
• Sudden muscle contraction or muscle twitching can also be a sign of recovery from a stroke. Your healthcare provider can assist you further regarding these.