Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Stroke Rehabilitation Therapies and Techniques

After stroke rehabilitation, the prime concern of a patient is to get back to his feet and do the daily activities like he/she had been doing before the stroke. Stroke affects certain parts of the brain due to which a patient loses much of his motor skills and has to re-learn them again to improve the quality of his life.
Rehabilitation from the stroke can begin as soon as a patient stabilizes. Doctors assure that there is no possibility of re-occurrence of any further stroke and only after this they prescribe the rehab therapy. The rehabilitation after stroke includes some basic steps which are as follows:
  • Communication disorder therapy- This is the basic therapy given in every kind of stroke rehabilitation. In this therapy the person is taught to re-learn basic skills like reading, writing, speaking, listening and comprehension.
  • Mobility training- This includes teaching the patient to walk with the help of a walking aid like cane or a walker. Initially these aids are used so that the patient can stabilize and learn how to balance his own body weight. In the later part of the therapy the patient is taught how to walk without the use of these aids.
  • Co-ordination and strengthening motor skills- In this, the patient is taught to co-ordinate his movement of hands and legs. Special exercises are also included in the program so that the muscles strengthen and can facilitate co-ordination.
  • Motion therapy- Motion therapy accompanies the above therapy. This therapy includes exercises and other treatments which reduces muscle tensions and helps in easy movement of arms and legs.
  • Psychological evaluation- This includes evaluation of patient's present psychological condition. Mental health professionals participate in the evaluation and based on the patient's mental state, designs programs that will help in fast and better recovery. Group counseling and medicines are also prescribed if required.
  • Robotic technology- This is the latest technique used in the rehab therapy where robotic devises are used to strengthen weak muscles, by performing repetitive motions.
Most of the leading stroke rehab centers have all these facilities that help patient recover from serious strokes. The family of the patient should realize the importance of stroke rehab and support him along the way, since family support fastens the pace of recovery.

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