What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is gradually or suddenly disrupted. Also known as a cerebrovascular accident or CVA, stroke symptoms vary widely depending upon the side and region of the brain affected and the size of the impacted area.
When a stroke occurs in the right side of the brain, symptoms may include impulsiveness, neglect of the left side of the body, denial, memory loss, difficulty learning, and agnosia—an inability to recognize touch, site, or sound cues such as a stop-sign shape.
When a stroke affects the left side of the brain, weakness or paralysis on the right side of the body, also known as hemiplegia, commonly occurs. Other stroke deficits may include impaired speech and difficulty swallowing.
Because the type and severity of symptoms following stroke vary widely, receiving individualized exercise instruction from a qualified rehabilitation professional (physical therapist, occupational therapist, and/or speech therapist) soon after the incident will result in the best recovery following a stroke.
Stroke Recovery Exercises
Passive range of motion - Immediately following a stroke, a person may go through a stage known as flaccidity where they have little to no control voluntary control over movement on one side of the body. During this stage, passively moving the body part through the available range of motion is essential to keeping the muscles flexible and the joints lubricated. A physical therapist can teach a family member or caregiver the appropriate movements for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers, hip, knee and ankles.
Active assisted range of motion - Once some ability to move the affected limb is restored, active assisted range of motion encourages the stroke victim to begin using and thereby strengthening their muscles. These stroke exercises can be done with the help of another person or, for some motions, can be performed with the help of a cane (cane exercises) or the opposite, unaffected limb.
Active and resisted range of motion - In the next stages of recovery, a person moves their limbs without assistance through all the ranges of motion at every joint (active range of motion). As strength is regained, resistance is added through free weights, resistance bands, or manual resistance from a physical or occupational therapist.
Coordination exercises - Some exercises for stroke recovery focus specifically on regaining coordination of the affected limbs. Lifting the affected leg and placing the heel on the opposite ankle, sliding it up the shin to the knee, and lowering it back down is a common coordination exercise.
Balance and stability - Following a stroke, a person may lose their ability to control their trunk while sitting and may require props while they regain trunk control. Standing balance is also often affected. Both standing and sitting exercises, the use of exercise balls, and walking with the assistance of parallel bars, walkers and canes may be utilized during stroke recovery.
Stroke recovery summary - Stroke recovery may take weeks or years, depending upon the location and severity of the stroke. Working with trained rehabilitation professionals soon after the stroke and engaging family members and caregivers in the recovery process helps not only from a physical standpoint, but also with the frustration that often accompanies the recovery process.
Stroke Resources:
The American Stroke Association
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Check out Stroke Recovery Book Makes You an Expert for more information about life after a stroke.
Learn how music can help stroke survivors recover, in Stroke Recovery Through Music Therapy.
