Stroke

A stroke is a serious medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced. This prevents brain tissue from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs, causing brain cells to begin dying.

There are 2 types of stroke: an Ischemic stroke or Haemorrhagic stroke.

An Ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that reduces or stops blood flow to the brain. This is the most common type of stroke and is usually caused by either a thrombus (blood clot within the arteries of the brain) or an embolism (blood clot or debris that has travelled to the brain from anther part of the body).

A Haemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in or around the brain due to a rupture in a blood vessel. The bleeding damages brain cells and increased the pressure in the brain which can lead to further injury.  Bleeding within the brain can occur directly into the tissues of the brain or in the space between the thin tissues covering the brain.

Stroke symptoms typically start suddenly and vary depending on the part of the brain that is affected. Strokes can cause lots of different symptoms such as:

·        Difficulties with movement

·        Significant muscle weakness

·        Difficulties with balance

·        Changes to sensation or feeling

·        Reduced awareness of the body

·        Changes to vision

·        Altered cognition or thinking skills

·        Difficulties with communication

·        Changes in emotion

What can physiotherapy help me with?

·        Improvements in mobility and walking

·        Reduce the risk of falling

·        Increase muscle strength

·        Improve balance and stability

·        Improve the function of your hand and arm

·        Reducing spasticity and stiffness

·        Improve sensation or reduced ability to feel.

·        Pain management

·        Fatigue management

·        Reduce the risk of secondary complications

Physiotherapy can help recovery by helping people who have had a stroke to regain mobility, strength, and independence. We focus on improving balance, coordination, and muscle function while reducing spasticity and stiffness. Physiotherapy helps to stimulate neuroplasticity (the brains ability to adapt and use new neural connections to learn or change) to help improve things that have become difficult.  

Our team have an excellent understanding of the complexities of stroke, the brain and how to recover after a stroke . If you would like to discuss how Neulife Therapy can help you after a stroke please get in touch.

The Stroke Association is a brilliant charity who have lots more information on stroke to visit the Stroke Associations website please click the button.