Stroke recovery is a highly individual process, which depends on many different things. The severity of the stroke and location of the area of damage in the brain will all have an effect on the recovery time.
Initially, the biochemistry of the brain is disrupted by the stroke. Over a period of days and weeks things settle down and the initial shock wears off.
Stroke rehabilitation consists of treatment from stroke doctors and nurses, neurological physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists. This multi-disciplinary stroke rehabilitation is most effective in maximising stroke recovery.
Stroke recovery, in our experience of working with people over many years, takes place over many months and even years. At heads up! we have a hands-on approach, using our neurological physiotherapy treatment skills to re-align, re-activate and strengthen muscles. We teach people how to move most efficiently and with the least effort possible in each person’s particular case.
Stroke recovery is a journey and specialist neurological physiotherapy input gives people treatment, advice and appropriate exercises specific to that person at that time. Doing the exercises given regularly and diligently as an adjunct to neurological physiotherapy treatment, will help to consolidate progress.
You can find out more from the Royal College of Physicians Stroke Guidelines https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/guidelines-policy/stroke-guidelines
Longer term stroke recovery – one person’s story
A few years ago I saw a man who sadly had had a stroke only a few weeks after retiring, following a long and distinguished career. After five months spent in hospital and local rehabilitation unit, he came to heads up! and was unable to stand on his own without support.
His loving wife was his greatest supporter and inspiration. His previous employers were extremely generous and funded regular treatment for many months. At our suggestion he also worked regularly with a local personal trainer (under our supervision) and improved slowly, but surely.
Three years after his stroke he completed a sponsored walk of one mile. He used a stick and a bespoke leg splint. With many friends, family and some of the heads up! team cheering him, he walked a mile in just over three hours. This was his marathon. We were extremely pleased and proud to support him and delighted to report of his determination and amazingly successful fundraising effort.
headsup! have practices in the London and Kent areas. We are always happy to discuss individual requirements and explore suitability for treatment over the telephone. If you would like to talk to one of the team, just get in touch on 01306 888171.
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