How to Do Exercises for Stroke Victims

After a stroke, a person can suffer minimal or severe disabilities depending on the location and size of damage in the brain. Some of the serious problems can be paralysis or weakness of one side of the body, inability to stand or walk, inability to hold onto objects, difficulty understanding or speaking words, not being able to read or do simple arithmetic, feeling confused, and having bowel and bladder problems. This can be devastating both to the family and to the loved one who suffered the stroke.
The good news is that some stroke survivors can experience amazing recoveries; so it is important to start stroke rehabilitation as early as possible. A team of health professionals typically consisting of doctors, nurses, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech and language therapist, a psychologist or counselor, and a dietician will work together to help the stroke victim recover. In the hospital a rehabilitation exercise program is started early, as soon as the stroke victim is medically stable.
A professional physical therapist evaluates the patient for range of motion, strength on the affected and unaffected side, bed mobility, transfers from bed to wheelchair, balance, and gait (walking). After the evaluation, the physical therapist plans an individualized exercise program that will fit the patient. The goals will be to increase range of motion, strength, balance, and independent walking with or without assistive device (e.g., cane or walker).