A stroke can leave a patient debilitated, in chronic pain and dependent on others. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke promotes exercise regimens because they can reverse the damage of a stroke and allow a patient to regain his independence. Starting an exercise program provided by a physical therapist soon after stroke improves the chance of rehabilitation.
Stroke
The National Institutes of Health states that strokes occur when the brain's blood flow is disrupted by blocked or burst blood vessels. The brain is deprived of blood and oxygen when blood flow stops for longer than a few seconds, leading to brain cell death and damage.
Causes
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain. A narrow artery may develop a clot inside of it called a thrombus. If the artery is fully blocked, a thrombotic stroke occurs. An embolic stroke occurs if a clot breaks off from another area in the body and blocks an artery in the brain. When a blood vessel in the brain bursts and causes blood to leak, brain cell damage from the blood flow causes a hemorrhagic stroke. Certain people are more likely to have this occur because of blood vessel defects in the brain.
Paralysis
Paralysis commonly results from a stroke and usually occurs on the opposite side of the body from where the brain damage took place. Paralysis may be seen in the arm, leg, face or whole side of the body, which is referred to as hemiplegia. Patients with hemiplegia can have a hard time grabbing objects, walking, feeding themselves and performing other activities of daily living. Swallowing may become difficult after a stroke because of damage to the area of the brain in charge of controlling muscles for swallowing. The cerebellum is the lower part of the brain and coordinates movement. If a stroke damages this area of the brain, problems with posture, balance and walking will occur.
Rehabilitation
The National Institutes of Health promotes three goals for a stroke patient's rehabilitation: help the patient re-learn as many skills as possible, prevent strokes in the future and prevent any complications from a stroke. Exercise is a main factor of stroke rehabilitation and allows some patients to regain independence. Stretching exercises can reduce muscle spasms and spasticity. Stroke patients tend to avoid using limbs affected by their stroke. This behavior is called learned non-use. Exercise should be geared toward having the patient repetitively use impaired limbs, which encourages brain plasticity and avoids long-term disability. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, physical therapists achieve this repetition by having patients perform exercises involving tapping, stroking and restraining healthy limbs. Patients will have therapists move their limbs or be asked to move their own when possible to maintain their range of motion. Physical therapy after a stroke focuses on repeatedly switching from one type of movement to another and practicing movements that are complex and require coordination and balance.
Considerations
Stroke may cause a person to spend most of her day stagnant, which makes her susceptible to pressure sores. These sores can be avoided by having the caregiver change and shift the patient's position often. Lifestyle changes, such as controlling diabetes and high blood pressure with diet and medication, can prevent another stroke.
