Physiotherapy At Home
Remember, a full recovery is only possible if you take direct action to reclaim function in the months and years that follow. By following an exercise program that targets specific areas and functions, you can reclaim your coordination, strength, and range of motion throughout your body.
Each of the following exercises is designed to condition your body and brain in specific ways. The movements are recommended by trusted physical therapy professionals and cover the following areas of the body: shoulders, arms, balance, hands, legs, and core. Follow along with helpful illustrations as you work through the basic, intermediate, and advanced versions of these post-stroke exercises.
Arm Exercises :
A stroke can often make it difficult to perform simple tasks like moving the arm forward or grasping and releasing objects. Physiotherapist Dr. Chintan Shah recommends eight simple exercises to help restore strength and function in the arms of stroke survivors.
Balance Exercises :
Struggling to walk or stumbling frequently is a common problem for stroke survivors, as the neurological components of balance have been damaged. Fortunately, balance is an ability that can be relearned after a stroke through therapy, rehabilitative products, and at-home exercises. Physiotherapists Beth Thornton and Kathryn Smyth suggest nine exercises to help regain stability and balance.
Core Exercises :
While the focus of stroke recovery is often on the limbs and facial muscles, without a strong core, the rest of the body may suffer. By isolating and activating core muscles with nine exercises selected by Thornton and Smyth, stroke survivors can work to regain coordination and strength that benefits their whole body.
Hand Exercises :
When stroke survivors lose function and dexterity in the hands, simple daily tasks can seem like insurmountable obstacles. Sarah Lyon, occupational therapist, advocates three simple, at-home exercises to help stroke survivors regain the use of their hands.
Leg Exercises:
Difficulties standing and walking after a stroke can be related to balance problems, but leg strength and mobility are also contributing factors. Richard Sealy recommends a series of low-impact strength and stretching exercises to help regain muscle in the legs and improve range of motion during stroke recovery.
Shoulder Exercises :
Many daily movements depend on shoulder strength such as grasping and releasing objects, moving the arms, and supporting weight with the arms. Occupational therapist Hoang Tran recommends six effective techniques based on the principles of gravity compensation to speed up recovery in the shoulders after a stroke.
