Henry Hoffman
Saturday, June 9th, 2018
Last modified on October 7th, 2022
ContracturesEvidence-Based TreatmentFrozen ShoulderHand and ArmLegs and MobilityNeuroplasticityOccupational Therapist InfoPhysical Therapist InfoRehabilitation NursingSpasticitystrengtheningStroke StatisticsTherapist AdviceWeakness
Life after a stroke can be challenging. Many patients wonder if they will ever fully recover their muscle coordination, or how long or difficult the process of recovery may be. Fortunately, the field of occupational and physical therapy has come a long way in developing approaches that help patients regain controlled muscle movements after a stroke.
There are seven recognized stages of stroke recovery through which most patients progress. Also known as the Brunnstrom Approach, the seven stages framework views spastic and involuntary muscle movement as part of the process and uses them to aid in rehabilitation.
Henry Hoffman
Thursday, June 7th, 2018
Last modified on September 27th, 2022
Caregiver AdviceContracturesEvidence-Based TreatmentHand and ArmHealthcareNeuroplasticityOccupational Therapist InfoPhysical Therapist InfoSaeboFlexSaeboGloveSaeboStretchTask-Oriented TrainingTherapist Advice
Stroke is among the top three causes of death in the United States, but nothing comes close to stroke as the leading cause of long-term disability. After patients survive a stroke, their risk of having another stroke increases, along with their likelihood of suffering a serious disability as a result. However, medical and technological advances such as rehabilitation gloves and hand splints, have made it easier to help patients cope and recover. Occupational therapy is an effective way to restore mobility and reduce future risks for stroke survivors.
Therapy for stroke survivors often involves “re-training” or reprogramming the brain after neurological damage. As we learn more about the relationship between the brain, muscles, and connective tissue, one stimulating innovation is emerging as a top tool for recovery. Today, many patients are relying on a stroke rehabilitation gloves & dynamic splints to reverse damage, restore mobility, and reduce pain after a stroke.
But how, exactly, does wearing these orthoses treat symptoms of stroke survivors? Truth is, there are many benefits for patients who incorporate a rehabilitation glove or a hand splint into their recovery process.
Henry Hoffman
Friday, December 8th, 2017
Last modified on September 9th, 2022
Caregiver AdviceContracturesEvidence-Based TreatmentHand and ArmMobilityOccupational Therapist InfoSaeboFlexSaeboGloveSaeboStretchTherapist AdviceWeakness
Suffering a stroke is debilitating and scary, and survivors are often affected much longer than the stroke itself actually lasts. Many patients experience spasticity and contracture during their stroke recovery period. These ailments affect the muscles of the distressed wrist and hand within days of stroke recovery, which can lead to a painful and permanently clenched hand.
Henry Hoffman
Thursday, August 18th, 2016
Last modified on September 2nd, 2022
ContracturesEdemaPainSaeboGloveSaeboStretchShoulder PainSpasticity
After stroke, loss of mobility isn’t the only long-term problem that prevents survivors from resuming normal activities. Post-stroke pain affects more than half of all stroke survivors. In some cases, this pain is chronic, leaving survivors with constant discomfort and hypersensitivity. Let’s walk through the common types of pain that stroke survivors experience, and introduce the tools and therapeutic techniques that were designed to reduce it and restore mobility.
Henry Hoffman
Monday, February 8th, 2016
Last modified on July 27th, 2022
Caregiver AdviceContracturesEvidence-Based TreatmentMobilityNeuroplasticityOccupational Therapist InfoPhysical Therapist InfoRehabilitation NursingstrengtheningStroke Rehabilitation ExercisesTask-Oriented TrainingTherapist Advice
After a stroke, many patients struggle with poor control and strength in the muscles on one side of the body. While the focus of recovery is often on the limbs and facial muscles, without a strong core, extremities and the rest of the body may suffer. With the help of these core exercises for stroke recovery, you can continue to make recovery progress at home on your own.
Saebo
Monday, May 5th, 2014
Last modified on May 15th, 2020
ContracturesElectrical StimulationEvidence-Based TreatmentSaeboStretchSpasticitystrengtheningTask-Oriented TrainingWeakness
There is alot we still don’t know about what constitutes “best practice” when it comes to neurorehabilitation and how to affect optimal recovery and outcomes, but there are some things that we do have a better understanding of. Let’s take stroke recovery and rehabilitation as an example, specifically upper extremity (UE) recovery, since it is reported that at least 50% of individuals who suffer a stroke have UE involvement and impairments (though the numbers vary depending on which study you are reading).
Saebo
Monday, July 22nd, 2013
Last modified on May 15th, 2020
BotoxContracturesElectrical StimulationEvidence-Based TreatmentSpasticity
Muscle spasticity is a negative symptom which can occur following a central nervous system disorder (Kinnear, 2012). The use of Botulinum Toxin Type A (BTX-A), commonly referred to as Botox, is used extensively in the treatment of muscle spasticity following stroke and other neurological conditions. Following BTX-A injections, physical and occupational therapy are typically provided and include stretching, casting, splinting, strengthening, and functional movement retraining (Kinnear, 2012).
Having provided the above types of occupational therapy interventions with numerous individuals who have received Botox injections to the UE, I have formulated my own opinions as to the functional benefits of Botox injections in the UE. I recently did a literature review to find out what the research reports.
