Stroke is one of the most common diseases in the field of internal medicine and neurology and is increasingly found in older patients. However, younger people such as children or adolescents can also suffer a stroke due to accidents or congenital blood disorders. Physiotherapy is used in the rehabilitation of stroke patients and rebuilds the insufficient functions of the musculoskeletal system.
In most cases, the musculoskeletal system is affected by a stroke and can hinder the patients in their independence. Depending on the degree of severity, individual extremities or an entire half of the body can be affected. In physiotherapy, for example, the patient’s physical condition is assessed and the therapy is planned on this basis. The earlier the therapy begins, the better the improvements. Comprehensive information on this topic can be found in the articles:
- Stroke
- Stroke symptoms
Exercises for at home
In the following, exercises are listed for patients who can perform their exercises independently. It is important to perform the exercises regularly. These should be based on the individual daily activities of the patient.
Therefore, exercises are listed here that train typical activities (e.g. walking). The exercises take place directly in the activity. 1) Walking The first activity that is practiced is walking.
If you need a walking aid (e.g. rollator), use it. Otherwise, walk without help and walk a long distance. Make sure that there are no tripping hazards on the way.
Start walking and pull your legs up to your upper body. Your arms go in rhythm with your legs and move forward with them. In this way you do not walk loosely, but march.
The speed of walking depends on your feeling of security. The speed is unimportant here and more attention is paid to pulling your legs up. This trains the muscles of the legs, which are important for walking.
The duration of the exercise depends on how you feel. Always make a note of the total time you have walked and increase in the next few weeks. Always include breaks to start again.
3) Balance exercises To strengthen the muscles of the trunk, you can use an air cushion or a Pezzi ball. In addition to strength, you will also practice your balance. If you have too much balance problems, sit on a normal chair.
Remain seated upright. The neck is elongated, the shoulders point backwards and the chest moves forward as in a meditation posture. Keep your abdomen tensed and hold this position again according to how you feel and then increase the duration of the exercise.
Are you looking for more balance exercises? 3) Balance exercises To strengthen the muscles of the trunk, you can use an air cushion or a Pezzi ball. In addition to strength, you will also practice balance.
If you have too much balance problems, sit on a normal chair. Remain seated upright. The neck is elongated, the shoulders point backwards and the chest moves forward as in a meditation posture. Keep your abdomen tensed and hold this position again according to how you feel and then increase the duration of the exercise. Are you looking for more balance exercises?
