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Physical Therapy for Stroke Rehabilitation in Harrogate, TN

Physical therapy for stroke rehabilitation

Stroke is one of the top 5 leading causes of death for men and women worldwide. This condition is a severe and life-threatening condition that occurs due to brain damage from the interruption of blood flow to certain parts of the brain. People who suffer from stroke may experience problems with several parts of their body, depending on the parts of the brain affected by the stroke. Therefore, you require immediate treatment to reduce brain damage and other complications if you are suffering from a stroke.

A stroke may cause physical and cognitive impairments. However, these impairments are not permanent and can be reversed through rehabilitation.  Physical therapy is the best rehabilitation method for stroke rehabilitation in Harrogate, TN. Our therapists at Pinnacle Performance Physical Therapy employ modern techniques to ensure you regain your physical and cognitive faculties. 

Types of Stroke

There are three major types of stroke, classified according to how and why they happen. These include:

  • Ischemic stroke: This is the most common type of stroke that accounts for about 87% of all stroke cases. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) blocks an artery leading to the brain, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching the brain. 

  • Hemorrhagic stroke: This type of stroke occurs due to the rupturing and bleeding of the blood vessel(s) in the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes account for about 13% of all stroke cases. It is severe and worsens quickly, leading to fatal complications. 

  • Transient ischemic attack: This is commonly referred to as a ministroke. It occurs when there is a temporary disruption in the blood supply to a particular part of the brain for a brief period. Usually, normal blood flow resumes within some minutes or hours. However, immediate medical attention is still needed to preserve brain function. 

Causes of Stroke

Common factors that increase the risk of stroke include:

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Brain aneurysm
  • Burst/leaking blood vessel(s)
  • Coagulopathy, etc

Others include smoking, obesity, a previous stroke, poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, age, race, family history of stroke, migraine headaches, abnormal heart rhythms, etc.

Symptoms of Stroke

Stroke causes physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments. It restricts mobility and limits physical function. Some of the most common symptoms and effects of stroke include:

Slurred speech, confusion, and trouble understanding what others are saying

  • Paralysis or weakness on one or both sides of the body
  • Dizziness and overall need for coordination.
  • Vision problems
  • Migraine headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Reduced touch sensations
  • Balance disorder, etc. 

The Role of Physical Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation

Physical therapy for stroke rehabilitation in Harrogate, TN, is one of the primary treatment options for people who have suffered from a stroke. A stroke causes weakness or paralysis in the body, restricting mobility and limiting physical function. Over time, this condition reduces an individual’s overall quality of life. Therefore, the aims of stroke rehabilitation physical therapy in Harrogate, TN include

  • Pain management
  • Restoration and improvement of mobility and motor functions 
  • Improvement of balance and coordination
  • Enhance muscle strength and function
  • Promotion of independence
  • Ensures safe return to school, work, and home.
  • Improvement of overall quality of life

What Does Physical Therapy for Stroke Rehabilitation in Harrogate, TN Entail?

Physical therapy employs several non-invasive techniques to promote, maintain, and restore physical health. Which of these techniques does a physical therapist use during stroke rehabilitation? The following is what stroke rehabilitation physical therapy looks like:

Comprehensive Evaluation 

This is the first step a physical therapist takes during stroke rehabilitation. Evaluations are important during stroke rehabilitation to determine the severity of your condition and the best treatment approach. A comprehensive evaluation entails a medical history and symptoms review, physical examination, diagnostic imaging tests, etc. 

Rehabilitation Plan

After a comprehensive assessment, your physical therapist develops a treatment plan that meets your rehabilitation goals and needs. A stroke rehabilitation treatment plan typically focuses on restoring mobility and physical function, enhancing muscle strength, managing pain, and improving your overall quality of life even before the stroke. Physical therapy techniques that may be included in a stroke rehabilitation plan include:

  • Therapeutic exercises: These include activities and movements that a physical therapist designs to manage pain, restore mobility, and improve physical function. Stroke rehabilitation exercises may include active and passive range of motion exercises, balance and coordination exercises, motor skill exercises, etc.
  • Manual therapy
  • Strength training
  • Gait training
  • Functional electrical stimulation
  • Positioning
  • Constraint-induced movement therapy
  • Mobility training
  • Biofeedback, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Physical Therapy For Stroke Rehabilitation

Physical therapy for stroke rehabilitation is a healthcare practice that aims to restore mobility, physical function, and motor skills, and promote overall physical and mental health in people who have suffered physical and cognitive impairments due to stroke.

Is Physical Therapy Good for Stroke Patients?

Yes, physical therapy is good for people who have suffered a stroke. It is the primary treatment option for stroke and it can help patients regain their skills, mobility, and physical function.

How Long is Physical Therapy for Stroke Patients?

The duration of physical therapy for stroke patients differs, depending on the severity of their condition and level of disability. Typically, physical therapy for stroke patients may last for a few months or years, with rapid recovery usually occurring during the first 3 or 4 months. 

Conclusion

Although stroke is a debilitating and life-threatening condition that reduces an individual’s quality of life, you do not have to live with stroke forever. Physical therapy offers a non-invasive yet effective treatment method to reverse the effects of stroke and improve an individual’s overall quality of life. At Pinnacle Performance Physical Therapy, our specialists employ several physical therapy techniques to rehabilitate people who have suffered from stroke and its complications.

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