In our community, stroke is an event that can affect anyone, reshaping lives in an instant.
However, a stroke does not have to be the end of the road; it can be a beginning—a beginning of recovery, renewal, and rediscovery of life’s possibilities.
In this article, we’ll explore the importance of rehabilitation after stroke, shedding light on the journey to recovery and the hope it brings to survivors and their families.
A stroke, often referred to as a “brain attack,” occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, either by a clot (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke).
The consequences can be life-altering, affecting mobility, speech, and cognitive functions. Recovery from a stroke is a complex and often challenging process, but it is a journey that can be guided by post-stroke rehabilitation.
This comprehensive and personalized program is designed to address the unique needs and challenges faced by stroke survivors.
Its primary goals are: functional recovery, independence, improved mobility, cognitive rehabilitation, emotional support.
Post-stroke rehabilitation is a collaborative effort that involves a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including: physiatrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists or counselors. Starting rehabilitation as early as possible is critical for achieving the best outcomes.
Research has shown that stroke survivors who begin rehabilitation within the first few days or weeks after their stroke tend to experience better recovery. Family and caregivers play a significant role in the rehabilitation process.
Their support, encouragement, and involvement in therapy sessions can enhance a stroke survivor’s progress.If you or a loved one has experienced a stroke, don’t underestimate the importance of rehabilitation.
Work closely with your healthcare team and therapists to develop a personalized plan that addresses your specific needs and goals.
Remember, stroke recovery is a journey that takes time and determination, but with the right support and rehabilitation, it’s a journey filled with possibilities for renewed health and well-being.
Physiotherapy and traditional rehabilitation are two important components of stroke recovery, often used in combination to help stroke survivors regain function and improve their quality of life.
In our part of the world the education on the choosing of a proper rehabilitation program has not be well done, and so the choice of physiotherapy ,modern medicine, and traditional rehabilitation has not been explained very well to the general public, with people taking decisions based on recommnedations of friends and neighbours.
Physiotherapy (Physical Therapy) primarily focuses on improving physical function and mobility. It targets specific impairments and limitations related to movement, strength, balance, and coordination.
Traditional Rehabilitation in our part of the world has been focused on mainly usage of herbs and concoctions and sometimes superstition to help revive stroke patients, although these methods themselves may not necessary be harmful, little is known about their effectivesness.
Another issue that arises is the lack of scientific data and regulation of these practices . the lack of training of these practioners who normally ‘inherited’ or were ‘gifted ‘their craft, sometimes put the lives of their patients in harm, as most patients finally return to modern medicine for cure afterwards.
Physiotherapy is a subset of stroke rehabilitation, focusing specifically on physical aspects of recovery. Traditional rehabilitation, on the other hand, encompasses a wider range of therapies, which may come with their challenges.
The choice between the two depends on the individual needs and goals of the stroke survivor, and often, a combination of both approaches is used to provide comprehensive care and support for stroke recovery. A healthcare team in consultation with the patient and their family should develop the specific treatment plan
Stroke recovery is a journey that takes time, determination, and support, and it’s a journey filled with possibilities. Post-stroke rehabilitation is the bridge that connects survivors to renewed hope and a path toward recovery.
If you or a loved one has experienced a stroke, remember that you are not alone.
Reach out to your healthcare team and therapists to develop a personalized rehabilitation plan that addresses your specific needs and goals. Together, we can turn the page to a new chapter of life—a chapter filled with recovery, resilience, and the promise of renewed well-being.
Source: Simon Badu MD