Stroke is the seventh most common adult disability cause and the fourth major cause of death in Singapore, accounting for 6.8 per cent of all deaths and 4.2 per cent of years lost to disability. About two-thirds of these individuals are still alive and in need of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation increases the independence and quality of life for stroke survivors. Even though rehabilitation cannot undo the damage a stroke has done to the brain, it can help people much in getting the best long-term results.
People who have had strokes can regain the skills they lost as a result of the brain damage brought on by the stroke with the aid of post-stroke therapy. Performing steps in a complex task or synchronising leg movements to enable someone to walk again are two examples of these skills. To make up for the lack of movement, therapists educate stroke sufferers on alternative ways to do activities.
After a stroke, a person might only be able to use one arm or hand for bathing or clothing. If his speech is impaired, he might also need to learn how to communicate successfully. For stroke survivors to restore their independence, they must first acquire the capacity to carry out these routine tasks. Every rehabilitation programme should include well-focused, properly supervised repetitious repetition.
Post-stroke therapy/rehabilitation
A programme of various therapies called stroke rehabilitation is meant to help you regain abilities you lost as a result of a stroke. Rehabilitation can assist with movement, speech, strength, and daily living skills, depending on the areas of your brain that were impaired by the stroke. You can restore your independence and enhance your quality of life with the aid of stroke rehabilitation.
There are many different consequences of stroke, and each person recovers differently. According to research, those who take part in a targeted programme for stroke recovery perform better than the majority of those who don’t. Therefore, stroke therapy is advised for everyone who has experienced a stroke.
Benefits of post-stroke therapy/rehabilitation
The long-term objective of post-stroke therapy or rehabilitation is to assist the stroke survivor in achieving maximum independence. Ideally, this is accomplished in a way that upholds dignity and inspires the survivor to rediscover everyday abilities like eating, dressing up, and walking.
After a stroke, rehabilitation frequently begins in the hospital. Within two days following the stroke, if your health is stable, rehabilitation can start. It can then continue until you are discharged from the hospital. The need for therapy or rehabilitation frequently relies on how severe the stroke was.
Your rehab programme will be designed by a team of experts to assist you to achieve your goals for stroke recovery. Your post-stroke therapy team may include:
- A physiatrist: a medical professional who focuses on recovery after disease, accidents, and injuries
- A neurologist: a medical professional who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of brain and spinal cord disorders including stroke
- Rehabilitation nurse(s): rehab nurses help you manage health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure. They also assist stroke survivors in adjusting to life after their illness
- Physical therapists: they help with balance and mobility issues by recommending exercises to build stronger muscles for standing, walking, and other tasks
- Occupational therapists: they assist with coping mechanisms for managing daily tasks like eating, bathing, dressing, writing, and cooking
- Speech-language pathologists: they offer ways to aid with swallowing issues as well as assistance with speech, reading, and writing
- Dieticians: they educate survivors on wholesome food and specific low-sodium, low-fat, and low-calorie diets
- Social worker: Assists stroke survivors in choosing treatment facilities, housing options, insurance policies, and home assistance services
- Neuropsychologists: they diagnose and treat stroke survivors who experience alterations in thinking, memory, and behaviour
- Case managers: they assist survivors by coordinating treatment from various providers, facilitating follow-up to acute care, and connecting them to neighbourhood services
- Recreation specialists: they help equip survivors with techniques to enhance the mobility and intellectual abilities required to participate in leisure activities
Conclusion
Many side effects linger after having suffered a stroke. Post-stroke therapy or rehabilitation is a programme designed to help stroke survivors regain their life skills and independence. The recovery period and processes for all stroke survivors are different, and post-stroke rehab is aimed to help them recover both physically and emotionally.
At KJ Therapy, we strive to help our clients manage their physical pain and movement limitations mainly through massage therapy. However, our therapists are also trained to provide emotional support and companionship for clients who need a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. To know more about our post-stroke massage therapy service, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.
