After a stroke, a lot of patients lose the use of their arm and hand. Also, a lot of people struggle to move because of spasticity, involuntary muscle tightness, and stiffness.
Stroke Connect reports that specialists predict that 20–50% of stroke survivors will experience some spasticity. Around 80% of persons experience paralysis or weakness on one side of their body.
Often, this occurs on the opposite side of the body from the one on which the brain had the stroke. You’ll collaborate with a medical staff during therapy to regain arm function.
Stroke Rehabilitation Starts Immediately Away
Stroke therapy can start as soon as 24 to 48 hours following your stroke, assuming your condition has stabilized.
Early, specialized therapy increases your likelihood of recovery. You will continue your rehabilitation after you are discharged from the hospital at home, an inpatient or outpatient clinic, or a nursing home.
Some stroke victims totally recover, while others will always have some level of disability.
Exercises to Increase Range of Motion
Stretching exercises facilitate blood flow and ease arm movement. Your hand, arm, and shoulder will first be gently stretched in all directions by your therapist.
They can also demonstrate how to gently stretch the wrist, fingers, and thumb on your opposite hand using the unaffected hand.
Workouts to Help You Regain Strength
Your grip and ability to use your limb will both be improved by strengthening the muscles in your hand and arm.
Holding your weak arm with your strong arm and rocking it back and forth like a baby is an early arm workout. You can use squeeze balls, wrist weights, or hand weights to tone and build muscle as your strength and mobility improve.
Treatment Using Electrical Stimulation
Your brain’s capacity to communicate with the nerves in your muscles is hampered by a stroke. Your arm and hand may become difficult to move and control as a result.
The nerves that cause your muscles to contract can be stimulated safely with electrical stimulation (ES) therapy. Your ability to control your limb again, your muscle tone, and your level of discomfort and spasticity may all be enhanced by ES.
Treatment using Constraint-Induced Movement
Your therapist could want you to wear a restraint on your working arm at some time throughout your recuperation.
Then, you’ll be required to perform repetitive chores using your injured hand and arm as much as feasible.
The ability of the brain to mend itself is thought to be enhanced by this kind of therapy. Also, it might assist you in regaining use of your injured hand.
Develop Your Fine Motor Skills
The little, exact movements you perform with your hands and fingers are known as fine motor abilities. You can practice this ability by picking up little objects and putting them in a cup, shuffle cards, use a pegboard, or trace a design with a pen.
The key to helping your brain change is repetition, as it is with any rehabilitative exercises. Just as you would if you were learning to play the piano, you need to practice every day.
