Strokes are medical emergencies that occur when blood clots obstruct blood flow to the brain, causing irreparable damage to the nervous system. Symptoms of strokes include face, arm and leg numbness and weakness, confusion, incomprehensible speech, vision problems, dizziness, walking difficulties, balance problems and acute headaches. People suffering a stroke need to be rushed to the hospital to dissolve blood clots in the brain. Post-stroke physical therapy after a stroke keeps movement problems caused by nerve damage to a minimum.
Importance of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps stroke survivors regain or maintain independence after suffering from a stroke. The American Heart Association maintains that although most people spontaneously recover from strokes within the first 30 days, rehabilitation helps improve brain function. Physical therapy after a stroke restores physical function and improves walking, range of motion, balance, and alleviates joint pains, falls, bedsores, foot drop and paralysis.
Improving Motor Control and Paralysis
Strokes damage the lower parts of the brain that affects motor skills. Physical therapy after a stroke restores movement in the face, arms and legs. Therapy improves a stroke victim's ability to stand, walk and remain balanced. Paralysis due to a stroke also affects a person's ability to swallow because of muscle damage, so physical therapy helps restore the muscles that control swallowing.
Restoring Sensory Functions
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke maintains that strokes reduce a patient's ability to feel sensations like touch, pain and temperature. Nerve damage can impair a person's ability to even recognize their own limbs. Physical therapy helps stroke victims restore sensory functions so that they can feel pain again. Inability to feel pain leads to injuries and, in some cases, burns. On the other end of the spectrum, many stroke victims experience severe joint pain when they move, but physical therapy can decrease movement-related pain too.
Incontinence and Bowel Relief
People experience temporary incontinence and difficulty controlling their bowels after a stroke due to motor and sensory deficits. This is because the brain can't tell the bladder muscles when it's time to go the restroom. Additionally, lack of motor control makes walking to the restroom difficult. This causes embarrassment for many stroke victims. Getting physical therapy after a stroke helps patients learn Kegel exercises that strengthen bladder muscles.
Role of a Physical Therapist
For effective therapy after a stroke, physical therapists who specialize in treating patients with motor and sensory disabilities should be consulted. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke outlines the rehabilitation process. Therapists assess patients' movements and sensory functions to create individualized treatment plans. These disability specialists help stroke survivors perform exercises that restore movements and teach strategies that help patients perform their daily activities with minimal pain and difficulty. Repeated movements help the brain relearn control muscles. A physical therapist will help patients increase their range of motion and play games that promote coordination. Stroke therapy can take place at rehabilitation facilities or at a patient's homes.
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