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Health  
  |  General Health  |  Diseases and conditions  |  Strokes explained
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Strokes explained

continued from page 10

The types of care you will receive during your rehabilitation will probably include the following:

  • Physiotherapy Physiotherapy is usually the cornerstone of the rehabilitation process. A physiotherapist uses training, exercises and physical manipulation of the patient's body in hopes of restoring movement, balance and co-ordination. Through physiotherapy, the stroke patient is working to relearn simple motor activities such as walking, sitting, standing, lying down and the process of switching from one type of movement to another.
  • Occupational therapy Another type of therapy involving relearning daily activities is occupational therapy (OT). OT, focused on creating independence, also involves exercise and training to help a stroke patient relearn everyday activities such as reading and writing, eating, drinking and swallowing, dressing, bathing, cooking and using the toilet.
  • Speech therapy Speech and language problems arise when brain damage occurs in the language centres of the brain. But this doesn't mean a stroke patient will never have a command of language again. Thanks to the brain's great ability to learn and change, other areas of the brain can adapt to take over some of the lost functions. Speech therapy can help a stroke victim relearn language and speaking skills, or learn other forms of communication. Such therapy would also be appropriate if the stroke victim had problems understanding speech or written words, or problems forming speech. With time and patience, a person who has had a stroke should be able to regain some, and perhaps all, language and speaking abilities.
  • Clinical psychology A patient may need psychological or psychiatric help. Depression, anxiety, frustration and anger are common post-stroke disabilities. Clinical psychologists, sometimes with the help of appropriate medication, can help alleviate some of the mental and emotional problems arising from the stroke. Sometimes it is also beneficial for family members to seek counselling.


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    This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child, please consult your family's health provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals. For the full Disclaimer, click here.
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