Benefits of Physical Therapy for Stroke Patients
After a stroke, vital connections between your brain and muscles become damaged, which is why it is the leading cause of long-term disability and most of the time results in loss of mobility and movement in some form. However, this loss isn’t necessarily permanent. In fact, rehabilitation is especially critical during the early stages of stroke recovery.
Physical therapy works alongside occupational therapy and speech therapy to help stroke patients recover. Depending on the patient’s post-stroke symptoms, some or all these therapies may be needed.
Regardless of where you are in your journey toward recovery, your long-term progress will depend on a consistent physical therapy regimen. We’ve detailed why physical therapy for strokes is beneficial for stroke survivors and how it can improve your quality of life.
WHAT IS PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR STROKE PATIENTS?
Physical therapy is a form of rehabilitation care that targets mobility and rebuilding physical strength through a supervised and structured plan of exercises. Physical therapy is a major component of post-stroke recovery, focusing on addressing and reducing the physical impact of a stroke. Often, stroke patients lose function in one arm or leg, resulting in paralysis. In the first weeks of recovery, physical therapists work with stroke patients to keep the affected muscles fit and stimulated – even before they regain voluntary movement. When motile function returns, physical therapy allows patients to relearn everyday skills and retrain their healthy brain cells to control the affected body parts.
A stroke affects each person differently. Your physical therapist will assess your symptoms and design a treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals. The long-term goal of physical therapy is to encourage brain recovery and stimulate muscle movement. It also can help survivors regain independence and the ability to perform daily activities.
BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Post-stroke rehabilitation is a huge part of the recovery process, and it often begins as soon as you wake up in the hospital. Physical therapists specialized in stroke recovery can stimulate affected muscles and nerves to maintain circulation and prevent stiffness; they can then guide you through the stages of stroke recovery as you relearn basic muscle movements.
Today, many physical therapists specialize in stroke care and other types of neurological trauma, like our experts at Coulterville Rehabilitation & Health Care Center. These trained therapists know how to help patients relearn complex bodily movements and avoid complications that could compromise their progress later. After a stroke, improving your balance, coordination, and other basic skills is essential to your overall quality of life.
After suffering a stroke, a physical therapist can help you:
- Recover from brain damage and loss of muscle function
- Stimulate damaged nerves and muscles
- Reduce stiffness of and maintain circulation to affected muscles and nerves
- Relearn movements and activities
- Gain the most function and independence possible
- Learn new ways to move due to any lingering side effects
- Rebuild mobility and physical strength
- Prevent muscle loss
- Recover better and faster
GET PHYSICAL THERAPY AT COULTERVILLE
At Coulterville Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, we’re proud to offer quality live-in care services on both a short- and long-term basis. Through our comprehensive and holistic approach, we make personalized care plans based on each patient’s individual needs and health goals. Whatever you or your loved one needs, our team of occupational, speech and physical therapists are here to support you. If you or someone in your life needs a safe and effective way to recover from a stroke, we are here as a trusted source for care and recovery. Don’t hesitate – contact us today.