Stroke Rehabilitation Physical Therapy

Stroke rehabilitation physical therapy or physiotherapy is a great treatment for stroke patients after required medical procedures are completed in the hospital. In fact, rehabilitation is a vital part of recovery for a stroke patient. Physical rehabilitation centers for strokes are equipped with staff that is highly trained and qualified. This staff or team of professionals consists of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech language therapists etc. Physiotherapy rehabilitation is not a guaranteed cure for stroke patients but may be useful in the long run. It has long lasting effects and absolutely no side effects. A patient may have to continue doing the exercises prescribed to him through out his life in order to function like normal human being.

Stroke rehabilitation physical therapy involves several limb movements that encourages muscle strengthening, improves flexibility and promotes arm mobility. There are various therapies and treatments that are branches of physiotherapy or physical therapy that are employed in curing stroke patients.

1. Hydrotherapy

   In this type of therapy, the body of the patient is immersed in a tank full of water. The patient is then asked to move his limbs in a particular way by the therapist. The force and buoyancy of the water applies perfect pressure on the limbs which again helps in muscle strengthening and flexibility. This helps the patient in maneuvering his limbs with ease outside the water. Increasing the current of the water can also be executed for gradual success in treatment.

2. Interventions

   In this type of physical therapy, the patient's unaffected limb is immobilized and he is asked to perform activities only with his affected limb. This helps improve brain coordination as the affected limb is compelled to move. It stimulates the brain cells to regenerate and repair brain damage. This also again imparts arm strengthening and improves flexibility.

3. Mirror Therapy

   In mirror therapy, a person is presented with a mirror image of his own unaffected arm. Keeping this image before him, the patient is asked to move his affected arm under the illusion that it is his good arm. This is an excellent measure to check brain damage through cognitive rehabilitation.

4. Massage

   Massage is an excellent way of treating a stroke victim. Massaging not only increases blood circulation around the affected area, but also promotes muscle strengthening and relaxation. Massage is also very effective in improving muscle flexibility and stimulates muscle growth.

Stroke rehabilitation physical therapy is an excellent treatment for stroke patients. The trained team of doctors, nurses and other related health care professionals look after the patients with utmost care. They make sure the patients do their prescribed exercises each day and provide them with their medication. Statistics have shown that physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments used in rehabilitation centers today. Rehabilitation of a stroke. is a difficult and complicated process. Thus stroke rehabilitation physical therapy has to be performed by well trained health professionals. It is an effective and very widely practiced method of rehabilitation and has seen unbounded success. It is a fast improving treatment and is employed in various fields apart from treating stroke patients.