Can Physical Therapy help me or a family member recover after a stroke?
A stroke can happen to anyone at any time — regardless of race, sex, or even age — but more women than men have a stroke each year, and African Americans have almost twice the risk of having a stroke.
A stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack.” With a heart attack, blood supply to the heart is reduced or stopped. With a stroke, blood supply to part of the brain is reduced or stopped. This means that part of the brain does not receive enough oxygen. Millions of brain cells die every minute during a stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, disability, or death.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a kind of “warning stroke” or “mini-stroke” that produces stroke-like symptoms but no permanent damage. A stroke can cause a range of long-term problems, such as: Inability to move on one side of the body (hemiparesis), severely limited movement, balance problems, temperature sensitivity.
How Can a Physical Therapist Help?
How well you recover from a stroke – and how long it takes to recover—depends on the size and location of the stroke, how quickly you receive care, and, in some cases, other health conditions you might already have.
Question: A 55 year old female had a massive stroke and is paralyzed on the left side of her body. She has difficulty walking and moving her shoulder. Is there any kind of treatment physical therapy can provide to help her?
Physical therapists specialize in treating disabilities related to motor and sensory impairments. We are trained in all aspects of anatomy and physiology related to normal function, with an emphasis on movement. Rehabilitation begins very soon after your stroke. We assess the stroke survivor’s strength, endurance, range of motion, gait abnormalities (walking), and sensory deficits to design individualized rehabilitation programs aimed at regaining control over motor functions.
Physical therapists help survivors regain the use of stroke-impaired limbs, teach compensatory strategies to reduce the effect of remaining deficits, and establish ongoing exercise programs to help people retain their newly learned skills. Disabled people tend to avoid using impaired limbs, a behavior called learned non-use. However, the repetitive use of impaired limbs encourages brain plasticity and helps reduce disabilities. Functions compromised when a specific region of the brain is damaged by stroke can sometimes be taken over by other parts of the brain. This ability to adapt and change is known as neuroplasticity.
After examining you and evaluating your condition, your physical therapist will develop an individualized plan to help you achieve the best quality of life you can. The plan will focus on your ability to move, any pain you might have, and ways to prevent problems that can occur after a stroke.
* Help you relearn how to walk
* Provide family and caregiver training
* Train you in how to use devices that can help you keep mobile when a stroke
has affected your ability to move, walk, or keep your balance.
Depending on the results of the physical therapist’s evaluation, and depending on how long it’s been since you had your stroke, treatment will vary.
Your needs will change over time. Your physical therapist will assess your progress, update your exercise program, help you prevent further problems, and promote the healthiest possible lifestyle.
Call Dr. Richardson for more information, or to make an appointment contact:
Hughes Medical Centre
Lower South Hill
Anguilla
Tel # (264) 497- 3053
Atlantic Star Center of Medical Excellence
South Hill
Anguilla
Tel # (264) 497- 0765
Family Health Center
Fairplay Complex
The Valley
Anguilla
Tel# (264) 584-3030
Via email: ginarichardsondpt@gmail.com
There will be other monthly articles to follow regarding Physical Therapy.
