Workload exercises use after a stroke

The use of exercises to overcome any resistance by patients is not part of the standard practice of stroke patients rehabilitation. Previously, it was believed that the load on weakened muscles can lead to an increase in spasticity. Later this issue was taken up in more detail, and it turned out that the facts supporting this theory were not true. On the contrary, the results given by different physiotherapists suggest that exercises on certain groups of weakened muscles significantly increase their strength and do not lead to an increase in spasticity.

According to Tom Weisenbaker, who has been using the technique for 15 years, there have been many examples where patients who have suffered a stroke could not move their wrists or ankles, but as a result of regular 20 minutes exercise (at first with the support of a physiotherapist), they sought control of the movement extremities. Elderly women were an exception as the performance of active exercises was not safe for them because of severe osteoporosis.

Muscles contraction is a protective reaction of the body, which thus protects the joint with weakened muscles. Exercises are carried out both for the muscles prone to contracture, and without it. Physiotherapy is aimed at strengthening the muscles, which enables reducing contracture. Movements are chosen for physiotherapy where the muscle undergoes complete contraction and stretching and, as a result, it strengthens. For comparison, walking cannot give such an effect, because the muscles do not work in full range, the positive effect of walking is to strengthen the heart, and not the muscles.

There are several rules that must be followed to achieve the efficiency of muscle exercises:

• muscle has to contract in the full range, this requires specialist’s control: the correct feelings of one's own come to the patient gradually, in the first stages the execution of procedures without a physiotherapist is not permissible
• the complex of exercises should be as diverse as possible in order to involve all muscle groups. This is the best way to stimulate the nervous system

Besides, muscle strengthening exercises can be effective even for patients who have experienced a stroke several decades ago.

See also similar articles on the subject:

• Tips for aphasia
• Treatment of aphasia by means of induced restriction therapy
• Ultrasound in stroke prevention

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