A stroke is a condition in which the blood flow that goes to your brain suddenly stops due to some reason. When that happens, your brain cells are damaged, leading to a stroke.
Physiotherapy can help you get back to health after you suffer a stroke. The one thing that you need to keep in mind is that you should be medically fit and stable to start exercising. Your doctor will give you the go-ahead on this, and your physiotherapist will also assess your overall health before you begin the session.
Physiotherapy Exercises For Legs
These exercises will be easy to perform, as you can do them seated on a comfortable chair at home. They will also help you stretch your muscles and strengthen them in the process.
1. Ankle Rolls
Sit down comfortably on a chair and start making circular movements with your ankle, as if you are drawing big circles. Try to do as many times as you comfortably can, till about 15 to 20 times. Take a break and repeat.
2. Hamstring Stretch
Sit down comfortably and stretch your arms and fingers towards your toes. Make sure that you do not bend your back, but only bend at your hips. Try to reach out and touch the toes if possible. Gently return to the starting position and repeat a few times, as long as you are comfortable.
3. Seated Kicks
Sit down comfortably and lift up your right leg till it is at a parallel angle to the floor. Now slowly bring your foot down towards the floor, but hold it slightly above the floor, to keep it in air. Pretend that you are doing a slow kick and do a few kicks, say about 10 to 15. Bring back the foot and repeat with the next leg. Bring the leg back to the original position and repeat with the next leg, till you have a few repeats with both the legs.
Physiotherapy Exercises For Arms
These exercises will be especially helpful for those who experience some form of paralysis or partial lack of movement in the arm muscles.
4. Straight Arm Punches
Clasp your hands and stretch them in the front. Gently start lifting your shoulder blades while keeping your head facing straight. You will feel a slight tug at your chest area and feel your shoulders lifting up. Gently come down to the starting position and repeat again.
5. Shoulder Rolls
Sit down comfortably and roll your shoulders to make big circles. Do 20 clockwise motions and 20 anti-clockwise motions.
6. Grip The Jar
Hold a jar in the hand which has the weaker muscles and use the other hand to unscrew the lid. Do this for at least 5 to 8 times. This will help your muscles get stronger and assist you in gripping and grasping activities.
7. Wrist Stretch
Place your forearm on a table and let the palm hang down. Slowly move your hand up and down by bending it at the wrist. Do not move your hand, but only the palm area. Do this for about 10 to 15 times and repeat with the next hand.
Physiotherapy Exercises For Eyes
Eye muscles can sometimes get weaker after a stroke, especially if you also suffer a paralytic attack. This is a very simple exercise to get you back to the recovery stage.
8. Pencil Exercise
Hold a pencil in front of your eye, at a distance of about 18 inches from your face. Move it from left to right and follow it with your eyes. Make sure you do not move your head. Bring the pencil back to the centre and move to the other side, following it with your gaze. Do this for about 5 to 10 times. Now bring it towards the tip of your nose but do not touch it to your nose. Try to keep your eyes on the pencil tip as much as you can, without moving your head.
Physiotherapy is a good way to ease yourself back into your earlier routine and improve your overall strength. With proper sessions, you will reclaim your health as well as start enjoying your regular lifestyle. To get the best out of your physiotherapy sessions, do book an appointment with our trained therapists and avail of their services right in the comfort of your home.
