A stroke happens when blood flow to the brainis cut off. When brain cells are starved of oxygen, they become damaged, andthe symptoms that follow are called a stroke. Stroke may cause paralysis of onepart of the body.

Strokes are put into two groups depending onthe problem in the blood vessels supplying the brain. There can either be ablockage (called an ischemic stroke), or a bleed or rupture (called ahemorrhagic stroke)

As the brain controls the whole body, the symptomsof a stroke can be wide-ranging, depending on which parts of the brain areaffected. Some symptoms include- sudden severe headache with no known cause,drooping face, weakness in arms and legs, difficulty speaking, trouble inunderstanding speech. Vision loss, loss of balance or coordination, difficultywalking, confusion and memory loss, etc.

Every year more than 15 million peopleworldwide have a stroke, of these 5 million die and another 10 million are leftdisabled. Most strokes occur in people over the age of 65 but they can occur inmuch younger people too.

Sometimes these symptoms of the stroke can bereversed if treatment is started early. That’s why it is so important to actquickly if you suspect a stroke. This is why stroke rehabilitation is soimportant.

PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT OF STROKEINCLUDES:

In Stroke ability to change position andposture is affected as a result of different physical impairments.Physiotherapists do some therapeutic positioning technique aims to reducediscomfort, skin damage (bet sores), limb swelling, prevent skin contractures,shoulder pain or subluxation, and maximize function, maintain soft tissuelength, maintain muscle tone and also therapeutic positioning technique helpsin reduction of respiratory complications and improve respiration.

For positioning several devices are alsoavailable such as- lap trays, slings, wedged pillow, harness, and arm trough,etc.

Special Kinesio tape technique- to reduceswelling and assist affected limb’s muscles.

Electrical stimulation- functional electricalstimulation is used to improve the function by stimulating the nerves.

Stroking, superficial and deep pressureapplication, icing, and vibration therapy.

Exercises Start with Passive Range of Motionexercises for Upper and Lower limb.

Once the patient developed some strength andcontrol, encourage the patient to participate to increase the muscle activityof the weaker limb.

Stretching to manage spasticity- stretchingtechnique can be varied according to the type of stroke.

Prevention from deconditioning- by earlymobilization in the bed, pelvic bridging exercise, 

Balance and proprioceptive training.

Gait and mobility training- this will help thepatient to improve waking. For this physiotherapist will use circuit classtherapy, treadmill training with or without body weight support,electromechanical-assisted gait training, and virtual reality training.

Cardiorespiratory training- that includesSpirometry, Active breathing exercises, postural drainage, and deep breathingexercises, etc.

Use of orthotics- this can relieve pain,reduce axial loading, prevention or correction of deformity, and improvefunction.

A physiotherapist will do some special therapyfor the stroke patients such as- Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), whichinvolves the intensive targeted practice of the affected limb while restrainingthe non-affected limb.

Hydrotherapy.

If patients have associated problems such asjoint pain then we have TENS and heat therapy for pain relief.