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Stroke Rehabilitation

Overview

How does stroke rehabilitation (rehab) help you get better after a stroke?

The best way to get better after a stroke is to start stroke rehabilitationstroke rehabilitation (rehab). The goal of stroke rehab is to help you recover, prevent problems, and regain skills you may have lost or to make the most of your remaining abilities.

Stroke rehab can help you to:

  • Do as well as you can and be as independent as possible.
  • Learn to live with the changes to your brain and body caused by the stroke.
  • Adjust to living within your home, family, and community.
  • Help prevent problems like falls or a blood clot in a vein (deep vein thrombosis).

In stroke rehab, a team of health professionals works with you to regain skills you lost as the result of a stroke. Your rehab will be based on how the stroke affected you. It also is based on your general health and your ability to participate.

  • Rehab starts with helping you resume daily activities. This includes eating, bathing, and dressing.
  • You may learn how to use assistive devices or orthotics. These are tools that help you hold objects, open and close things, transfer weight while shifting positions, or walk. These tools may be hard to get used to. But they help you return to your daily life and everyday tasks.

A key part of rehab is taking steps to prevent a future stroke. To stay in good health, you may need to take medicines and make some lifestyle changes. Work with your rehab team to decide what type of exercise, diet, or other lifestyle choices are best for you.

Who is on a stroke rehab team?

You and your family, loved ones, and caregivers are the most important part of the stroke rehab team. A team of health professionals will work with you and your caregivers to help you recover from a stroke. A rehab team may include doctors and nurses who specialize in stroke rehab. It may also include:

  • A physical therapistphysical therapist.
  • An occupational therapistoccupational therapist.
  • A speech-language pathologistspeech-language pathologist.
  • A recreational therapistrecreational therapist.
  • A psychologist or counselor.
  • Other health professionals, such as a dietitian and a vocational counselor.

A social worker or case manager may help you and your caregivers arrange for the help and equipment you may need at home.

What kinds of problems can people have after a stroke?

The problems you have after a stroke depend on what part of your brain was affected and how much damage the stroke caused. They may include problems with:

  • Movement and senses. You may have trouble walking, grasping objects, or doing other tasks. Other symptoms may include joint pain or muscle stiffness or spasms. You may not be able to feel when something touches an affected body part. You may feel very tired.
  • Speech and language. Your ability to speak, read, or write may be affected. Also, you may not be able to understand what someone else is saying.
  • Memory and thinking. You may not be able to think clearly. You may have trouble focusing or remembering.
  • Perception. It may be hard to do things like judge distance, size, position, and rate of movement.
  • Emotions. It's common to feel fearful, anxious, angry, sad, or frustrated. Grief is also common.

How long does rehab take?

How long you will be in a stroke rehab program depends on what kind of help you need. Rehab starts while you are still in the hospital. After you leave the hospital, you may continue treatment at a rehab center or at home.

You may recover the most in the first few weeks or months after your stroke. But you can keep getting better for years. It just may happen more slowly. And it may take a lot of time and hard work. Don't give up hope.

Health Tools What to Expect After a Stroke Stroke Rehab and Your Recovery Concerns of the Caregiver Preventing Another Stroke Medicines for Stroke Prevention

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of UseTerms of Use. Learn how we develop our contenthow we develop our content.

© 2024-2025 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

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