Stroke Physiotherapy Treatment

Stroke physiotherapy plays a large part in the total rehabilitation package offered to stroke patients alongside nursing and medical care, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

The first goal is a detailed assessment to understand the primary problems related to movement, includes assessing sensory awareness, strength, postural stability, voluntary movement and balance. Difficulties will be directly related to the specific part of the brain involved and may include loss of specific movements, perception, balance and weakness and associated problems such as tight muscles and pain. Stroke physiotherapy can have positive effects in all of these areas.
The therapy approach then may combine mobilisation of stiff joints and tight muscles, strengthening weaker postural muscles and increasing the sensory awareness of the affected body parts by specific stimulation techniques.

Working to improve balance and independence is a large part of stroke physiotherapy and many patients will still show potential for increased mobility even a long time following their stroke.

Stroke Physiotherapy at Manchester Neurotherapy Centre uses the Bobath concept where assessment of postural control and knowledge of efficient human movement is an integral part of treatment planning.
Although we see many different neurological conditions the majority of our patients have had strokes and all our therapists are very experienced in stroke physiotherapy. They are all skilled in handling, developing individual treatment programmes and measuring change supported by home exercise programmes.

Overall a stroke can be devastating for both the patient and their family and stroke physiotherapy can do a great deal to improve a patient’s quality of life.

Testimonials. 

My husband, David Kenyon aged 55 suffered a massive stroke on the 9^th April 2016. He is a non-smoker, doesn’t drink, average weight, took regular exercise, has never suffered from high blood pressure or increased cholesterol. He does not have a history of strokes within his family.

The stroke should not have happened according to consultants and doctors – but it did – and devastated our lives.

Everybody suffers through this, not just David. His children, his grandchildren, his friends and me – his wife. We have all lost the fabulous sense of humour and quick-witted one-liners that David would often come back at with you. I lost the sound of David singing every morning, which used to drive me mad but what I would give to have this back. We lost David rolling around with the kids taking them for walks with the dogs, turning up for a visit unannounced to his family, calling in on his Dad weekly to make sure he ok, feeling proud going to work every day to earn a crust, driving the car because I am too scared on the motorways.

MNC are enthusiastic and actually want clients to improve to have a better quality of life. Not just to tick a box or hit a target. They really, really care. MNC are different because I see all the staff have made their work a vocation, not just a job. David is excited to attend his appointments and is motivated. He is happy and determined. MNC gave him hope and as well as his physical improvements – they have improved his mentality towards his own condition. MNC help in ways they aren’t even aware of.

If I had a million pounds – I would still stay with MNC – they have everything we need in order to get our lives back. They are giving the grandchildren their Grandad back, and much, much more.

Jo Kenyon – wife of David.

Read further Patient Experiences HERE.

Links.

Stroke Association        Different Strokes

National Stroke Association      Headway