The Importance of Rehabilitation After a Stroke

After suffering a stroke, it can be easy to assume you’re life is going to be permanently changed. And while that may be the case for some, we’ve found that through rehabilitation and determination, many stroke survivors go on to live full, rich lives.

What to Expect Throughout Your Recovery

When it comes to stroke rehab, we never follow a one-size-fits-all treatment plan for patients. Depending on the severity of your stroke and the part of your body most affected, we’ll create a detailed rehabilitation plan custom to your needs.

With that in mind, most recovery plans will focus on one or more of the following:

Physical Therapy

• Overall mobility: If your stroke was severe, you may need to relearn how to walk or stand. If your therapist believes you will need to use a walker or wheelchair, this is also the time you’ll learn how to use mobility aids.
• Building fine motor skills: From learning how to grab a cup to swallowing, one of our trained physical therapists will help you develop your fine motor skills.
• Improve range of motion: Certain exercises can help you regain range of motion in your back, arms, legs, and neck.

Cognitive Therapy

• Build cognitive strength: Your physical body isn’t the only thing that suffers after a stroke — your memory, problem solving skills, social skills, and judgement can all be affected as well.
• Speech therapy: Difficulty speaking and writing are common after a stroke.
• Psychological therapy: A stroke can leave you feeling anxious about your future, guilty, or even depressed. A therapist can help you process your feelings and teach you coping mechanisms.

The Goal of Rehabilitation

Ultimately, the goal of each therapy is to help you live a better overall life. From walking and talking to tying your shoes, therapy after a stroke is an important part of a healthy recovery.

When Should I Begin Stroke Rehabilitation

Ultimately, the sooner you begin therapy after a stroke, the greater your chances of living a happy, healthy, and active life are. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to relearn lost skills and abilities.

The USC Arcadia Hospital Stroke Care Center offers a variety of treatments and has achieved excellent outcomes when caring for stroke patients. USC Arcadia Hospital holds a Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification from independent rating agency DNV GL.