Injury to the left side of your brain causes right-sided hemiparesis, or paralysis of the right side of your body. Stroke and cerebral palsy are the most common causes of hemiparesis. Stroke causes some degree of immobility in about 80 percent of people who suffer this type of cerebral vascular accident, according to the National Stroke Association. In addition to paralysis, injury to the left side of your brain may also affect your ability to communicate and to discern right from left.
Physical and Occupational Therapies
Exercises for right hemiparesis are aimed at restoring function. Physical therapy focuses on repeating large movements, such as walking or moving your arms, to strengthen the muscles required to perform those movements. The exercises that physical therapists supervise focus on helping a patient regain strength, endurance and increased range of motion. Occupational therapy exercises focus on improving a patient's fine motor skills, such as eating soup with a spoon.
Range of Motion
Range of motion describes the distance you are able to move parts of your body. A person with right hemiparesis loses all or some of his range of motion. Joints become immobile or even "locked up." Range of motion exercises should relax and stretch the muscles. Your therapist will never force your stiffened arm or leg to straighten or bend. Perform range of motion exercises slowly and smoothly, stopping just short of resistance or pain.
The therapist will perform passive range of motion exercises on your right side, which means the therapist does all the work of moving your body. He will move your arm or leg into position and hold it for about 30 seconds, then repeat the action several times. You will engage in active range of motion exercises as you regain control over your right arm and leg.
Aerobic
Aerobic exercise for a person suffering from right hemiparesis poses the obvious problem of how a person paralyzed on the right side might perform an aerobic workout. Aerobic exercises for right hemiparesis include walking on treadmills, stationary bikes and seated steppers. Aerobic exercise helps you participate in the activities of daily living by improving your walking and tolerance for prolonged physical activity and decreasing your risk for further cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association suggests aerobic exercise for 20 to 60 minutes, three to seven days a week.
Strength
Strength training improves your ability to perform both large movements, such as walking, and fine motions, such as buttoning your shirt. Strength training includes circuit training, lifting free weights, performing isometric exercise and using weight machines. Perform these exercises two to three days weekly.
