Strokes are the number one leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the US each year. One fourth of the (nearly) one million people suffering from a stroke each year will be under fifty-five years old. The good news in the midst of these staggering statistics: physical therapy can get your balance, and your life, back on track after suffering from a stroke.
Physical therapy after a stroke will promote motor recovery, optimize sensory functions, enhance functional independence, and will prevent secondary complications. Often skills that are taken for granted must be recovered, tasks as simple as walking, eating, and bathing might be out of reach for stroke survivors pre-rehabilitation. Our goal is to ensure patients are recovering skills and getting back to their regular routines as quickly as possible while warding off possible complications or relapses.
The effects of a stroke depend on both the intensity of the stroke and where damage occurred in the brain. Generally, stroke can cause five types of disabilities: paralysis or problems controlling movement; sensory disturbances including pain; problems using or understanding language; problems with thinking and memory; and emotional disturbances. Physical therapy can be both passive (the therapist moving the affected limbs) and active (the survivor moving on their own) but no matter what, a physical therapy plan is essential in recovering from the debilitating effects of a stroke.
No two stroke survivors are the same and at Sloane Stecker Physical Therapy no two stroke rehab plans are the same either. Some patients might require passive, manual therapy and some might require active therapy. Others might need to focus on strengthening the upper body and others the lower. The good news is, that no matter where you land on this spectrum as a stroke survivor, you'll be able to get the treatment you need to get you back to the life you love.