Stroke rehabilitation is an essential part of recovery after a stroke. Do you know that the initial 90-day period also called the Golden Period following stroke is crucial to take primary steps towards brain stroke rehabilitation? It can be defined as a program of different therapies designed to relearn skills lost after a stroke. Rehabilitation can help you depending on the parts of the brain affected by stroke like movement, speech, strength, and daily living skills. With the help of stroke rehabilitation, you can regain independence and improve your quality of life.
Stroke affects every person differently and also the recovery post-stroke is different. It has been observed that people who opt for post-stroke rehabilitation perform better than those who don't have stroke rehabilitation.
There are various ways to help people recover from stroke. The main goal of rehab is around specifically focused and repetitive actions( doing the same thing over and over again). Depending on whatever body part or ability level is impaired by your stroke, your plan will change.
Motor-skill exercises: Strengthening and coordinating muscles across the body can be achieved through exercise. Walking, swallowing, and balancing muscles are a few examples of them.
Mobility training: You can start up the use of mobility aids like an ankle brace, wheelchair, cane, or walker. While you train your ankle to walk, the ankle brace can help strengthen and stabilize it, supporting your body's weight.
Constraint-induced therapy: You work on moving the affected limb to help enhance its function while the unaffected limb is immobilized. This type of therapy is also known as forced-use therapy.
Range-of-motion therapy: You can restore range of motion and reduce muscle tension (spasticity) using specific workouts and therapies.
Functional electrical stimulation: Electricity is applied to weak muscles, making them contract in response. Your muscles may benefit from the electrical stimulation for reeducation of muscles.
Robotic technology: Repetitive motions can be carried out by affected limbs with the aid of robotic devices, which can help them regain strength and function.
Wireless technology: Using an activity monitor may help you in becoming more active after a stroke.
Virtual reality: When using video games and other computer-based therapies, patients interact with a simulated, real-time world.
Therapy for cognitive disorders: Occupational therapy and speech therapy can help you with lost cognitive abilities, such as memory, processing, problem-solving, social skills, judgment, and safety awareness.
Therapy for communication disorders: You can regain lost skills in speaking, listening, writing, and comprehension with the aid of speech therapy.
Psychological evaluation and treatment: Your emotional adjustment might be tested Additionally, you can also be asked to attend counseling.
Medication: Your doctor might recommend an antidepressant or a medication that affects alertness, agitation, or movement.
The severity of your stroke and any associated problems will determine how long you need stroke rehabilitation. Some people who have had a stroke recover fast. On the other hand, the majority require long-term stroke recovery. After their stroke, this might continue for several months or even years. As you relearn skills and requirements during your recovery, your stroke rehabilitation plan will change as well. Over time, you can continue to improve with regular practice.
Most likely, while you're still in the hospital, you'll start stroke rehabilitation. You and your family will choose the ideal rehabilitation environment before you leave, in consultation with your care team. Something that is most convenient for you and your family and your needs are all things to think about.
The options include:
Inpatient rehabilitation units: You may stay at the facility for up to 2 to 3 weeks as part of an intensive rehabilitation program.
Outpatient units: These kinds of facilities usually are part of a clinic or hospital. You might spend a few hours at the facility a couple of days a week.
Home-based programs: Compared to other possibilities, receiving therapy at home provides more freedom. However, you'll not have access to specialized rehabilitation tools.
Stroke rehabilitation involves a variety of specialists. Specialists who can help with physical needs include:
Doctors: Your primary care doctor, neurologists, and specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation can guide your care and help prevent complications. To prevent having another stroke, these doctors can also assist you in adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Rehabilitation Nurses: You can integrate the new skills into your everyday routine with the assistance of nurses who specialize in providing care for individuals with disabilities. For the management of bladder and bowel problems following a stroke, rehabilitation nurses can also provide alternatives.
Physical Therapists: You can regain skills like walking and balance with the assistance of these therapists.
Occupational Therapist: You can lead more autonomous and active lives with the assistance of these therapists. You can resume driving with their assistance after relearning how to dress, take a shower, and take care of home duties. Additionally, occupational therapists can aid with swallowing, general safety, and cognitive activities related to the job and home.
Specialists who focus on cognitive, emotional, and vocational skills include:
Speech and language pathologists: They are among the specialists who concentrate on cognitive, emotional, and occupational abilities. These experts assist you in strengthening your swallowing and linguistic abilities. Additionally, speech-language pathologists can collaborate with you to create strategies to address issues with thinking, memory, and communication.
Psychologists: These experts evaluate your cognitive abilities and assist in addressing issues related to your emotional and mental well-being.
counselors with vocational backgrounds. If one of your objectives is to return to work, these experts assist you in addressing such concerns.
Vocational counselors: If one of your objectives is to return to work, these experts assist you in addressing such concerns.
It might take a long time and be quite challenging to recover from a stroke. It's common to face difficulties along the way. Dedication and willingness to work toward improvement will help you gain the most benefit. The rate of recovery is generally greatest in the weeks and months after a stroke. However, it is seen that even 12 to 18 months following a stroke, functioning can still improve.