Achieving Neuroplasticity: How Many Reps Does It Take?

Henry Hoffman
Wednesday, May 11th, 2022
Last modified on May 15th, 2023


The damage inflicted by a stroke is unique to every patient, and so is the recovery process. It is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. The brain consists of 100 billion neurons and 200 trillion synapses. It’s nearly impossible to grasp the complexity and power of this amazing organ!

During a stroke, 32,000 neurons die every second, totaling around 1.2 billion for the entire event. That’s a lot, but consider the total neurons in the brain, it’s around one percent. That means 99 percent of the brain is still intact!

A variety of exercises and movements can be used to provide cues to the brain and achieve neuroplasicity. Thanks to pioneers like Dr. Merzenich, who conducted landmark studies in the 1980’s that confirmed the adult brain is not hard-wired, practitioners have an opportunity to “rewire the brain”.

Read more…

25 Hand Exercises For Stroke Recovery

Henry Hoffman
Friday, July 13th, 2018
Last modified on October 12th, 2022


Hand moving a chess piece with text saying Advanced Hand Exercises to reclaim Your Strength and Dexterity after Stroke.

Reclaim Your Dexterity by Exercising Your Hand

A stroke can take a seemingly healthy and vibrant individual and change their life in an instant. Learning how to do basic daily tasks, such as self-feeding or getting dressed each day, can quickly feel like an overwhelming physical hurdle. Despite having full active movement in your affected hand, you may have decreased strength and dexterity in your hand due to your stroke. This may be making it difficult to grasp and release objects, making daily tasks seem like insurmountable obstacles. Luckily there are products that can aid in grasp and release activities such as the SaeboGlove. We will show you some helpful hand exercises for stroke recovery to help you reclaim your strength and dexterity that can be done on your own or with the help of a hand device such as the SaeboGlove.

Unfortunately, sometimes rehab does not bring back full control and use of your hands, making these daily tasks a tremendous challenge. While you begin your recovery it’s crucial that you incorporate hand exercises for stroke recovery into your daily life to bring back dexterity and use of your fingers.

Read more…

Reclaim Mobility With At Home Leg Exercises For Stroke Recovery

Henry Hoffman
Monday, June 11th, 2018
Last modified on October 13th, 2022


Stroke recovery can be a long process. Each year nearly 800,000 people in the United States alone will suffer from a stroke, leaving them with ongoing physical and neurological damage. Managing the ongoing need to rebuild bodily control and strength after neurological damage is no easy task. If you have suffered from a stroke, loss of balance and control can make standing and walking difficult. While outpatient stroke recovery therapy is vital to improving this problem, you can also continue improving with the help of these at home leg exercises for stroke recovery.

Read more…

The Brunnstrom Stages of Stroke Recovery

Henry Hoffman
Saturday, June 9th, 2018
Last modified on October 7th, 2022


The Brunnstrom Stages of Stroke Recovery

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.  

Read more…

Benefits of Rehabilitation Gloves and Hand Splints For Stroke Recovery

Henry Hoffman
Thursday, June 7th, 2018
Last modified on September 27th, 2022


Open hand facing down in SaeboGlove with benefits of rehabilitation gloves and hand splints for stroke recovery

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.

Read more…

Reclaim Your Reach With Shoulder Exercises For Stroke Recovery

Henry Hoffman
Monday, January 15th, 2018
Last modified on October 6th, 2022


Recovering your arm and shoulder movement after a stroke can be challenging. If you can’t easily grasp and release objects, move your arms forward, or use your arms to support your weight or you’re just starting your recovery with a Saebo solution, it’s important to incorporate helpful shoulder exercises for stroke recovery into your daily routine at home.

And that’s exactly what Occupational Therapist Hoang Tran recommends. Hoang focuses on shoulder and arm mobility at her outpatient rehabilitation center, Hands-on Therapy. She opened the Florida center in 2014 after extensive clinical experience, including more than a decade at Miami Beach’s Mount Sinai Medical Center. As a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) she specializes in pathological conditions affecting the upper extremities. Throughout her years of working with stroke survivors and other people with upper body trauma, she has learned several simple and effective techniques that you can apply in your own home to speed up your recovery.

Read more…

Important Facts About Stage 2 of Stroke Recovery

Henry Hoffman
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018
Last modified on September 9th, 2022


Important Facts About Stage 2 of Stroke Recovery, Stages of Stroke Recovery Brunnstrom, Stroke Recovery Stages, Brunnstrom Stages of Stroke Recovery, Stages of Stroke Recovery

As stroke survivors recover, most gradually regain strength and movement in the muscles and may eventually enjoy full restoration of function. They may regain reflexes first, then voluntary movements, and may even enjoy full restoration of function eventually. Since the 1970’s, the Brunnstrom Approach has helped us divide this post-stroke progress into a series of seven distinct stages. These stages of stroke recovery, which are marked by synergies of different limbs, begin with flaccid muscles and no movement (voluntary or otherwise). However, stage 2 marks an important milestone: the return of movement.

Read more…

Henry Hoffman Q&A Video Series: Is My Patient Appropriate for the SaeboFlex or SaeboGlove?

Henry Hoffman
Tuesday, December 12th, 2017
Last modified on September 2nd, 2022


SaeboFlex vs. SaeboGlove: Which is right for you?

In his latest Q&A Video, Saebo Co-Founder Henry Hoffman addresses the differences between two hand rehabilitation devices.

Read more…

Hand Splints and Contracture: What Occupational Therapists Need to Know

Henry Hoffman
Friday, December 8th, 2017
Last modified on September 9th, 2022


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.

Read more…

35 Fun Rehab Activities for Stroke Patients

Henry Hoffman
Thursday, July 20th, 2017
Last modified on September 16th, 2022


35 Fun Rehab Activities for Stroke Patients, Rehab for Stroke, Stroke Rehabilitation, Rehab After a Stroke, Rehabilitation for Stroke Patients, Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation, Rehab After Stroke, Rehabilitation After Stroke

After suffering a stroke, many survivors find themselves with some loss of physical function. While much of this is due to brain damage from the stroke itself, there are additional preventable problems like physical deconditioning and fatigue that can lead to a survivor losing function. How can this be prevented? Physical activity.

Read more…

10% Off Your First Order!

Get recovery tips, special offers, and new product announcements.

🎙 Now Streaming! The No Plateau Podcast. Listen Here! 🎙