The human brain is one of the most complex and vital organs in the body as it controls various important functions. This three-pound organ serves as the seat of intelligence, the interpreter of senses initiates body movement, and controls behavior. When a stroke occurs, The brain would be unable to function as it should. The brain cells die suddenly due to the shortage of oxygen, which is caused by a blockage of blood flow or the rupture of an artery to the brain that manages a certain body function.
This impact extends far beyond the immediate physical and neurological damage. It can touch every aspect of a person's life, from their physical abilities to their emotional well-being and even their relationships. A stroke needs immediate medical care as the brain cells could get damaged and die without the proper flow of oxygen, even for a few minutes.
The Importance of Stroke Rehabilitation
Stroke rehabilitation or “rehab” is where one attains independence and quality of life. Rehabilitate comes from the Latin word “habilitas” which means “to make able again. Following a stroke, rehabilitation can aid one physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Treatments like Ayurveda, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech, and Acupuncture play a key role in stroke rehabilitation
The Benefits of Ayurveda, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Acupuncture in Stroke Rehabilitation
Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, stroke is called Pakshagata which is caused due to Vata dosha, which controls the motor and sensory activities in the body. For almost decades, Ayurvedic treatment has been known to treat patients who have suffered a stroke by aiding them to recuperate and recover. The main goal of stroke rehabilitation is to reduce Vata and restore normal blood flow through internal medicine and exterior treatments. The rehabilitation process for stroke survivors must not adhere to one single approach.
Depending on the patient's specific condition, a well-planned combination of the following methodologies may be planned:
Physical Activities:
Motor skill exercises
Mobility training utilizing walkers, canes, or wheelchairs
Constraint-Induced Therapy
Range-of-Motion Therapy
Functional Electrical Stimulation
Cognitive and Emotional Activities:
Therapy targeted at cognitive disorders
Speech therapy aimed at restoring speaking, listening, and comprehension abilities
The Ayurvedic Therapies Include
Abhyanga – massage with medicated oils
Snehapanam – internal administration of medicated fats
Swedanam – Fomentation with hot liquids or medicated bolus
Virechana – Therapeutic Purgation
Nasyam – Medicated oil nasal instillations and
Vasti – Enema Therapy
Benefits
It strengthens the muscle tissue.
Reduces spasticity and enhances mobility through traditional Ayurvedic massage techniques like Abhyanga.
It aids the healing process and amplifies the efficacy of other rehabilitation approaches by utilizing Panchakarma therapy.
Offers tailored dietary and lifestyle guidance, Which includes adopting a balanced diet, regular exercise, effective stress management techniques, and ensuring sufficient sleep, all designed to support the recovery process following a stroke.
It provides a personalized and comprehensive treatment regimen based on each person's mind-body type to promote their general health and well-being.
Ayurvedic medications like Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Ashwagandha, and Guggulu improve brain function, decrease inflammation, and promote healing.
It improves overall physical and mental resilience, which can aid in preventing future health concerns and the general quality of life.
Reduces stress and anxiety, which are frequently present in stroke patients and hamper rehabilitation.
Ayurveda helps in re-establishing the neuromuscular function.
Recuperates the lost function of the body
Helps the patient perform his/her daily activities
Physiotherapy or Physical therapy is important for a patient after a stroke as it will aid them in restoring strength, coordination, balance, and motor function. Physiotherapy aims to retrain the brain and body to regain coordination, muscular control, strength, and balance.
Benefits
Through a personalized exercise regimen, patients get overall strength, mobility, and agility over time.
Physiotherapy prevents muscle atrophy which means muscle weakness and failure that happens due to impaired limbs, as the therapist helps the patient regain the use of the impaired limb through exercises to stimulate the muscles and rebuild the brain-body connection.
Patients tend to become more independent with a positive attitude. They can return to normal life and activities with reduced reliance on caretakers.
Physiotherapy can also help with speech and swallowing issues that are typical after a stroke. They can help by strengthening the muscles surrounding the mouth and jaw, which can help with speech production and swallowing.
Physiotherapy helps in enhancing mental well-being with its focus on setting and achieving goals that can help improve a patient's mood and self-confidence. The physical improvements gained through physiotherapy can also lead to greater independence, which can significantly enhance a patient's mental well-being.
Physical therapy can assist in improving cardiovascular fitness, which is frequently compromised following a stroke. This is critical for one's general health and well-being.
Occupational therapy is a type of treatment that employs meaningful tasks from a variety of physical and mental areas to help people recover from a stroke. Occupational therapists use compensatory measures to enhance independence when remediation is not possible. These exercises are specially designed to support and enhance the development of lost abilities while adapting for certain physical, cognitive, or emotional deficits.
Benefits
Occupational therapy can help patients by teaching them strategies and introducing adaptive tools and environmental changes that will aid in self-care tasks like bathing, grooming, and dressing which become challenging with stroke’s effects.
After a stroke, patients may need to adapt their home for safety and improved task performance. Occupational therapists monitor daily activities like getting out of bed, dressing, cooking, and showering in the home and provide recommendations or adjustments as needed.
Occupational therapy develops a regimen of exercises that are integrated with everyday chores like cooking or washing to assist patients in improving their strength, agility, and endurance.
Patients who have had a stroke may find it difficult to engage with society due to paralysis, vision problems, and memory problems, be at work, grocery store, or anywhere. Occupational therapists play a crucial role in assisting stroke survivors in relearning these activities or employing compensatory strategies in real-life situations.
Stroke patients can make lifestyle changes to prevent a second stroke, including improved diet, increased activity, smoking cessation, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, and prioritizing mental health. Occupational therapists are instrumental in devising and overseeing these plans, teaching strategies, tracking progress, and maintaining patient motivation.
4. Speech Therapy
Speech and language therapy is involved through all phases of stroke recovery and helps people manage the communication and swallowing difficulties they may face after a stroke. They assess and advise on communication aids and assistive technology to minimize the impact of communication difficulties following a stroke.
Benefits
The human brain can reorganize itself and use new regions to take over the function of speech and language in the days and weeks immediately following a stroke, which is called neuroplasticity. With Speech therapy, one restores all or most of the speech and language abilities that were damaged by the stroke with the help of speech therapy.
A speech-language pathologist develops a personalized treatment plan for the patient by cooperating with the patient and their caregiving team. This strategy will be designed to assist the patient in achieving the best degree of communication and language function feasible.
Speech Therapy can also aid stroke patients who are facing difficulty with swallowing, which is clinically referred to as Dysphagia.
Speech Therapists can offer AAC training, including digital communication devices, for stroke survivors with complex needs.
Acupuncture, a Traditional Chinese Medication, where thin needles are used at specific body points, balancing qi flow. This is performed by a skilled acupuncturist. Acupuncture typically uses one needle per point, while electroacupuncture uses two needles with an electric current or multiple pairs for simultaneous stimulation. Electrical stimulation without acupuncture is widely acknowledged as an effective stroke rehabilitation treatment that can help people regain their mobility.
Benefits
Acupuncture can assist stroke patients in restoring their balance and lowering their chance of falling.
With stroke patients often face Dysphagia which is difficulty in swallowing. Acupuncture can help improve swallowing movements.
Muscle weakness is another typical stroke complication that can impair mobility and rehabilitation. Electroacupuncture performed 5 times a week for 2 weeks can help improve muscle strength, particularly in the legs.
Acupuncture can help patients in enhancing mobility, increase muscular strength, and promote general health when used in conjunction with treatment. For stroke patients who deal with paralysis or spasticity following their stroke, this is a very wise therapy option.
At Vaidya Healthcare you get all the needed treatments for Stroke Rehabilitation under one roof.
Our commitment to recovery and rehabilitation extends beyond restoring the lost body functions. It's about improving the overall quality of one's life. We sow the seed of hope in the lives of our patients so they can restart a brand new life with comfort and the right care. Our team is composed of highly efficient and experienced staff who give the right care and hospitality.
CONTACT US
Vaidya Health Care Hospital
MC Road,Vattakatupady
Perumbavoor,Ernakulam ,Kerala India 683542
0091-9744-55-3000 , 0091 9995922289
info@vaidyahealthcare.in
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