What Does Physical Therapy Look Like After a Stroke?

Strokes can be devastating events. They often leave their victims needing constant care. How long it took to get emergency medical help, the age and prior health of the victim, and numerous other factors all play part in how much damage gets done. In almost all cases, therapy will be required to help the victim try to regain all that they have lost.

A stroke is caused when blood supply temporarily stops making it to the brain. A person experiencing a stroke will have one side of the face droop. Typically, they can’t raise one of their arms. Stroke victims have trouble walking, trouble speaking, and experience confusion.

Physical therapy is needed for a whole array of problems after a stroke. One of the most well-known side effects of a stroke is paralysis, weakness, or numbness. The degree can vary from person to person. Sometimes it is a small localized area, sometimes one entire side, and sometimes it is everything but the eyes. When the paralysis effects one entire side it is referred to as hemiparesis.

Physical Therapy After A Stroke

Spasticity is another potential lasting condition. This is where a person has a hard time controlling their movements and muscle contract on their own. This can make it difficult to do everyday tasks. Medications are often recommended in conjunction with therapy.

Another condition after a stroke that physical therapy is needed for is called foot drop. It is when a person lacks proper control in the foot or feet, and they end up dragging their toes on the ground. Some people compensate for the lack of control in the foot by lifting their leg higher while walking, but this is not a good option either.

One of the scariest conditions after a stroke is dysphagia. This is a condition where swallowing is difficult, because of paralysis in the throat. This can make taking pills, eating, or drinking difficult. It can even interfere with breathing. The hope is that the condition is the worst right after the stroke and will steadily improve overtime. Learning to swallow and getting all the muscles to work together again does take time and work though.

Incontinence is another potential problem. Urinary incontinence is the most common kind, but fecal is possible as well. Luckily, this is one of the side effects that has multiple possible treatments options that can be done along with physical therapy.

No matter what symptoms are left as a result of a stroke, there are resources to help. Physical therapy can slowly improve the quality of life for the stroke victims and their families. The Colorado Neurological Institute is one of the best places to reach out for help. They have all the resources needed for physical therapy on sight. They also have all the other professionals that might be needed to treat any other symptoms as well. If counseling is needed it came be done them. If a speech-language pathologist is needed they are on site as well. Any necessary professionals needed are all on safe and will work together to make the best treatment plan possible.