The most common side effect of a stroke is muscle weakness and reduced control over the affected part of the body. As a result, stroke survivors often work with physical therapists to regain control and strength by doing some exercises. In this way the patient can learn to manage the loss of some body movements and hopefully he can regain some amount of strength and movement.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: Post Stroke Recovery Exercises for the Shoulders
Step 1. Do exercises that help stabilize the shoulder
This type of exercise strengthens the muscles responsible for stabilizing the shoulder. You can do it 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Lie on your back with your arms along the sides of your body.
- Keep your elbows straight. Raise the affected arm to shoulder height with your hand pointing towards the ceiling.
- Raise your hand towards the ceiling as you lift your shoulder blade off the floor.
- Hold for 3-5 seconds, then relax, allowing the shoulder blade to return to the floor.
- Slowly repeat the movement 10 times. (You can increase as many times as you can)
- Lower your arm and rest it sideways.
Step 2. Try an exercise that strengthens the shoulders
This exercise strengthens the shoulder muscles, including those that straighten the elbow. You can do this exercise 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Grab one end of the elastic band with each hand while lying on your back. Try to create the right tension that creates resistance.
- To begin, place both hands along the unaffected hip, while keeping your elbows straight.
- Move the affected arm up diagonally, outward, keeping the elbow straight. The unaffected arm should remain along the side of the body during the exercise.
- During the exercise, be sure to pull the elastic band so that you have resistance.
Step 3. Improve shoulder mobility
This exercise improves shoulder mobility. You can do it 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Lie flat on your back on a hard surface. Interlace your fingers, placing your hands on your stomach.
- Slowly raise your arms to shoulder height and keeping your elbows straight.
- Return your hands to the starting position on your stomach.
Step 4. Take care of the mobility of the shoulder
This exercise helps take care of the mobility of the shoulder (it can be useful for those who have difficulty rolling in bed). You can do this exercise 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Lie flat on your back on a hard surface. Interlace your fingers, with your hands resting on your stomach.
- Slowly raise your hands directly to your chest, keeping your elbows straight.
- Slowly move your hands to one top and then to the other.
- Bend your elbows and bring your hands back to the starting position, on your stomach.
Part 2 of 6: Post Stroke Recovery Exercises for Elbows, Hands and Wrists
Step 1. Do exercises that help strengthen your elbows
This exercise strengthens the muscles that straighten the elbow. You can do it 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Lie on your back with your arms along the sides of your body, place a rolled-up towel under the affected elbow.
- Bend the affected elbow and move your hand up towards the shoulder. Keep your elbow on the towel.
- Hold the position for 10 seconds.
- Straighten your elbow and hold for 10 seconds.
- Repeat slowly 10 to 15 times.
Step 2. Raise yourself up with your elbow
This exercise strengthens the muscles that straighten the elbow (it helps to lift from a lying position). You can do this exercise 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Sit on a hard surface. Place the affected forearm flat on a surface with the palm of the hand down. Place a pillow under the elbow.
- Support the weight on the bent elbow, slowly. You may need someone to assist you in order to keep your balance.
- Push your hand down against the floor as you straighten your elbow and stand straight.
- Slowly bend your elbow as you bring your forearm back to the support surface.
Step 3. Do exercises focused on the hands and wrists
These exercises improve the strength and type of mobility in the wrist. You can do them 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening). Are the following:
- Exercise 1: Hold weights with both hands. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees. Turn your palms up and down 10 times.
- Exercise 2: Hold weights with both hands. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees. Lift your wrists up and down while keeping your elbows still. Repeat 10 times.
Part 3 of 6: Post Stroke Recovery Exercises for the Hips
Step 1. Improve hip control
This exercise improves hip control. You can do it 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Start by placing the unaffected leg flat on the floor and the affected leg bent.
- Lift the affected foot and cross the affected leg over the other.
- Lift the affected foot and remove the cross as you bring it back to the starting position from step 2.
- Repeat the crossing and the crossing for 10 times.
Step 2. Work on hip and knee control at the same time
This exercise improves control of the hips and knees. You can do it 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Start with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Slowly slide the heel of the affected leg down to straighten the leg.
- Slowly bring the heel of the affected leg to the floor as you return to the starting position. Keep your heel in contact with the floor throughout the exercise.
Part 4 of 6: Post Stroke Recovery Exercises for Knees and Legs
Step 1. Try an exercise that helps you control your knees
This exercise improves the control of knee movements as you walk. You can do it 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Lie on the unaffected side with the knee bent for stability and the affected arm forward for support.
- Starting with the affected leg straight, bend the knee, bringing the heel towards the butt. Return to the upright position.
- Bend and straighten the knee while keeping the hip straight.
Step 2. Do an exercise to develop good walking technique
This improves weight shift and control for proper walking technique. You can do this exercise 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Start with the knee bent, the foot in contact with the floor and the knees closed together.
- Lift your hips off the floor.
- Slowly roll your hips from side to side. Return to the center position and lower your hips to the floor.
- Rest for at least 30 seconds and repeat the movement.
Step 3. Improve your balance with this exercise
This improves balance, control and weight shifting to prepare you for walking. You can do this exercise 2 or 3 times a day (in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening).
- Start by placing yourself on your hands and knees. Distribute your weight evenly on your arms and legs.
- Swing diagonally, back towards the right heel. Then forward to the left hand.
- Repeat the movement 10 times. Swing slowly extending yourself to the maximum in each direction.
- Return to the center.
- Swing diagonally to your right hand. Slowly move backwards in all directions.
Part 5 of 6: Treating Spasticity
Step 1. You need to know that it is important to treat spasticity before doing the recovery exercises
Before doing stroke recovery exercises, doctors recommend treating the symptoms of spasticity.
- Spasticity causes muscle tension, inability to stretch out, acute pain, abnormal posture, and uncontrollable movement. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to the portion of the brain (as a result of insufficient blood supply) or the spine that control voluntary movement.
- The affected body part may begin to regain its normal strength and range of motion if the treatments given to the patient relieve the spasticity.
Step 2. Take Baclofen
This drug acts on the central nervous system. Relax muscles by decreasing muscle spasms, stiffness and pain, and by improving range of motion.
For adults, the normal dose of Baclofen is 40-80 mg per day divided into 4 doses
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about Tizanidine
This drug blocks the nerve impulses in the brain responsible for spasticity.
- The effectiveness of the drug lasts only for a short time, so it is advisable to use it only when it is necessary to relieve severe discomfort or when it is necessary to complete certain activities.
- The ideal starting dose is 4 g every 6-8 hours. The maintenance dose is 8 mg every 6-8 hours.
Step 4. Consider taking Benzodiazepines
This drug acts on the central nervous system, relaxing muscles and decreasing spasticity for a short time.
The oral dosage varies because benzodiazepines can have several generic names. Consult with your doctor for proper prescription
Step 5. Try taking dantrolene sodium
This drug blocks the signals that cause muscles to contract and reduce muscle tone.
The recommended dose varies between 25 and 100 mg three times a day
Step 6. Get botox injections
A botox injection attacks nerve endings and blocks the release of chemical transmitters that signal the brain to activate muscle contraction. This prevents muscle spasm.
The maximum dosage of botox is less than 500 units per visit. Botox is given directly by injection into the affected muscles
Step 7. Talk to your doctor about phenol injections
Phenol destroys the nerve conduction that causes spasticity. It is taken by injection directly into the affected muscles or the spine.
Dosage may vary depending on the manufacturer. Consult with your doctor for proper prescription
Part 6 of 6: Understanding the Benefits of Exercise
Step 1. Understand that exercise can improve blood flow
Stroke recovery exercises minimize blood clot formation by improving blood flow to various parts of the body. They also prevent muscle atrophy (a condition in which muscles break, become weak and decrease in volume).
- For stroke patients, muscle atrophy is common because the affected area is not used very often and remains immobile for a long time. Physical inactivity is the major cause of muscle wasting.
- Exercises and muscle movements promote good circulation and oxygen distribution in the affected area, thus accelerating the repair of damaged tissues.
Step 2. Know that exercise can improve muscle mass after having a stroke
Exercising the affected body part through pulling, pushing and lifting movements stimulate muscle growth and increase its efficiency.
- Regular exercises for the ankles increase the number of myofibrils (muscle fibers) in each cell. These fibers contribute 20-30% to muscle growth.
- Thanks to the increase in blood flow, the muscle fibers receive more oxygen and nutrients, thus leading to an increase in muscle mass.
Step 3. Be aware that exercise can help you build muscle strength
By increasing blood flow, muscles gain mass through the extra oxygen and nutrients they receive. An increase in muscle mass also increases muscle strength.
Step 4. Know that these exercises can build strength in the bones
Exercise with weights causes new bone to form and this makes bones stronger.
Step 5. Understand how exercise can also increase flexibility and range of motion
When you exercise, the ligaments and tendons (which include collagen fibers or semi-elastic proteins) are stretched.
- Regular stretching of the ligaments and tendons helps maintain flexibility in the joints. The loss of flexibility decreases the range of motion of the joints.
- This means that the range and type of movement are reduced. The inability to move the joints fully reduces activities in daily life and causes loss of muscle mass and strength in the bones.
