Physical rehabilitation and allied health support play a crucial role in stroke recovery by helping patients regain strength, relearn skills, and adjust to any long-term disabilities. The main goals of physical rehabilitation after a stroke are to improve the quality of life and enhance the ability to perform daily activities. Here’s how allied health support can assist with stroke recovery:
Restoring Mobility and Strength
Physical Therapy : Physical therapy focuses on improving mobility, strength, and balance. Therapists such as physiotherapists and exercise physiologists use exercises and activities to help patients regain movement in affected limbs, improve coordination, and enhance muscle strength.
Range of Motion Exercises : These exercises help prevent stiffness and increase the range of motion in joints affected by the stroke.
Improving Balance and Coordination
Balance Training :Therapists work with patients to improve their ability to stand, walk, and maintain balance, reducing the risk of falls.
Coordination Exercises : Activities designed to improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills can help patients perform daily tasks more effectively.
Enhancing Daily Living Skills
Occupational Therapy (OT) : OT focuses on helping patients relearn daily activities such as dressing, bathing, cooking, and writing. Therapists use adaptive techniques and tools to assist patients in becoming more independent.
Speech and Language Recovery
Speech Therapy : Speech therapists help patients who have difficulty with speaking, understanding language, reading, or writing. They use exercises and strategies to improve communication skills.
Cognitive and Emotional Support
Cognitive Rehabilitation : This type of therapy focuses on improving memory, attention, problem-solving skills, and other cognitive functions that may be affected by a stroke.
Psychological Support : Counselling and therapy can help address the emotional and psychological impact of a stroke, such as depression, anxiety, and frustration.
Use of Assistive Devices
Adaptive Equipment : Therapists may recommend and train patients to use assistive devices such as walkers, canes, wheelchairs, or specialised utensils to help them perform daily tasks more easily and safely.
Home Exercise Programs
Continued Practice : Therapists often design home exercise programs to reinforce skills learned during therapy sessions. Regular practice can help maintain and further improve function.
Family and Caregiver Education
Training and Support: Educating family members and caregivers on how to support the patient’s recovery, assist with exercises, and make necessary adaptations at home can enhance the rehabilitation process.
Rehabilitation is most effective when it begins as soon as possible after a stroke. It often involves a multidisciplinary team approach, including exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, and psychologists.
Concentric’s allied health team works with NDIS or private stroke patients, using a multidisciplinary approach and team collaboration. If you would like to know more about how we can work together with you to achieve your physical rehabilitation goals post-stroke, please contact us at support@concentric.com.au or call us at 1300 148 160.