Physical Symptoms Following a Stroke and how Physiotherapy can help
A stroke can cause a wide range of symptoms, with many of them affecting an individual’s ability to move and perform everyday activities. Physical symptoms can vary depending on the area of the brain that was affected, but they often involve motor skills, coordination, balance, and strength.
Understanding the common physical symptoms of stroke and how neurological physiotherapy can help is crucial for stroke survivors and their families. Neurological Physiotherapy is an essential part of recovery, aiding in the rehabilitation of physical function, improving independence, and maximizing quality of life.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the most common physical symptoms following a stroke and how neurological physiotherapy can help manage and improve them.
Weakness or Paralysis (Hemiparesis/Hemiplegia)
One of the most common physical symptoms after a stroke is weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. This is called hemiparesis (partial weakness) or hemiplegia (complete paralysis). It typically affects the arm, leg, and sometimes the face on the opposite side of the brain injury.
Impact: Hemiparesis or hemiplegia can make it difficult for the stroke survivor to perform everyday tasks such as dressing, cooking, or walking.
Rehabilitation: Neurological physiotherapy focuses on strengthening the weakened muscles, improving motor control, and enhancing coordination.
Posture, Balance and Coordination Problems
Stroke can impair the brain’s ability to form smooth, coordinated movements, resulting in difficulty with posture, balance and coordination. This is often referred to as ataxia or postural instability. People may feel unsteady when standing or walking and may struggle to maintain a normal gait.
Impact: Impaired balance can increase the risk of falls, making it difficult for individuals to engage in activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or even standing for long periods.
Rehabilitation: Neurological Physiotherapists often complete postural and balance retraining as well as coordination rehabilitation. Vestibular rehabilitation is also used when the stroke affects the balance system in the inner ear.
Muscle Stiffness and Spasticity (Hypertonia)
Spasticity refers to abnormal muscle stiffness or tightness that can occur after a stroke. This condition is a result of damage to the brain’s motor pathways, which can cause the muscles to become rigid, limiting movement and flexibility. The most common areas affected by spasticity are the upper limb flexors and lower limb extensors.
Impact: Spasticity can make it challenging to move limbs or joints and may cause pain, discomfort, or joint deformities. It can also make it difficult for stroke survivors to perform functional tasks such as grasping objects, dressing, or walking.
Rehabilitation: Treatment is often a team approach using a combination of stretching exercises, splints, botulinum toxin injections (Botox) or oral medication to reduce muscle stiffness and increase range of motion. Selective motor control exercises help improve voluntary movement of the affected muscles.
Difficulties with Walking (Gait Disturbances)
Walking difficulties are very common following a stroke, with many people experiencing an abnormal gait or difficulty walking. This can include issues like foot drop (difficulty lifting the foot), uneven stride length, or difficulty maintaining a normal walking rhythm.
Impact: Problems with walking can limit independence and increase the risk of falls. Gait disturbances often result in the need for assistive devices, such as canes or walkers.
Rehabilitation: Neurological physiotherapy includes gait training to help stroke survivors relearn how to walk more naturally. This may involve using assistive devices, orthotic devices for foot drop, and exercises that focus on strengthening the lower body and improving coordination.
Sensory Impairments (Numbness or Tingling)
A stroke can cause sensory changes, such as numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation, on one side of the body. These sensations are often caused by damage to the sensory areas of the brain and can lead to difficulty in recognizing objects, maintaining body awareness, or performing tasks that require tactile feedback.
Impact: The inability to feel touch, temperature, or pain can lead to safety concerns, such as not being aware of injury, difficulty dressing, or using tools or utensils. Some people have difficulty being aware of one side of their body or one side of their environment - this is known as neglect.
Rehabilitation: Physiotherapists help stroke survivors with sensory re-education exercises, which involve stimulating the sensory pathways in the brain through activities like tactile feedback, sensory discrimination tasks, and mirror therapy.
The Importance of Neurological Physiotherapy for Stroke recovery
Neurological physiotherapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy focused on the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological conditions like stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury. Unlike general physiotherapy, neurological physiotherapy involves additional training designed to address the complex issues that arise when the nervous system (brain) is damaged.
Here’s why experienced neurological physiotherapy is critical for stroke survivors:
Individualized Treatment Plans: Everyone is different. Each stroke is different, and no two recovery journeys are the same. A skilled neurological physiotherapist will assess the specific challenges a stroke survivor faces and develop a tailored treatment plan that addresses their individual needs. This personalized approach ensures the most effective rehabilitation techniques are used.
Maximizing Neuroplasticity: Stroke survivors can benefit from the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections—a process known as neuroplasticity. Neurological physiotherapists use evidence-based techniques to promote neuroplasticity, helping the brain relearn lost motor functions and improve physical abilities.
Functional Focus: Neurological physiotherapy places a strong emphasis on improving functional movements—the ability to perform daily activities such as walking, dressing, and cooking. Through task-specific training, survivors can regain the independence they had before the stroke.
Preventing Complications: Without proper rehabilitation, stroke survivors are at risk of developing complications such as contractures (permanent muscle tightening), muscle atrophy and joint deformities. Physiotherapy helps prevent these issues by promoting movement, strengthening muscles, and maintaining flexibility.
Building Confidence: Stroke survivors often struggle with confidence and fear of movement after their stroke. Neurological physiotherapists work closely with patients to boost confidence, encourage gradual movement, and reduce the fear of falling, ultimately helping patients return to a full and active life.
The physical symptoms following a stroke can be challenging, but with the right rehabilitation, improvements are possible. Neurological physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in managing these symptoms, promoting recovery, and helping stroke survivors maximise their independence. If you or a loved one are recovering from a stroke, seeking out an experienced neurological physiotherapy is key to improving physical function and quality of life.
Contact The Rehab Team to arrange an appointment if you are located in Papamoa, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga or surrounding areas. Our knowledgeable Neurological Physiotherapists have experience in stroke rehabilitation. We are a mobile service, seeing you in your own home or rest home. We are here to help!
Want to know more?
Have a look at The Rehab Team's other Stroke blogs:
-Understanding Stroke Rehabilitation: What You Need to Know - Here.
-Is shoulder pain causing you grief after a stroke? - Here.
Link to our other blog posts.
