Rehabilitating from a stroke takes time. For many, it’s a frustrating process with many ups and downs. Many patients worry their progress will come to a halt when they start to plateau. However, perseverance is crucial—continue doing your exercises and discover different types of therapy needed for stroke recovery.
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Speech Therapy
After having a stroke, a patient will have to attend different kinds of therapy depending on the type of stroke in order to readjust to the world around them. The patient may require speech therapy if they have trouble saying or recalling certain words. Additionally, some have difficulty understanding what others say.
Different language disorders that are common in stroke patients include:
- Aphasia
- Dysarthria
- Dyspraxia
Speech therapy helps correct each of these disorders, whether they’re due to a muscle or cognitive impairment. During speech therapy, patients practice different exercises ranging from facial movements to practicing verbal speech.
Physical Therapy
It isn’t uncommon to lose feeling in certain areas of the body or face mobility struggles after having a stroke. Physical therapy is one of the most common therapies stroke patients attend, as it helps the survivor regain mobility.
An individual relearning how to perform essential tasks such as feeding, bathing, and dressing themselves has different exercises than individuals with newly found balance struggles. Common factors that affect the type and extent of physical therapy patients need include:
- The type of stroke
- The location of the stroke
- How much damage the brain suffered
During a stroke, timing is everything—the faster you get treatment, the better. A physical therapist will analyze all of this as they give the stroke survivor exercises to increase their strength. Keep in mind, patients needing to relearn daily tasks may also benefit from occupational therapy.
Psychological Counseling
There are many different types of therapy needed for stroke recovery, and behavioral therapy benefits a patient’s emotional health. Having a stroke is scary, and many fear they’ll go through the trauma again. Some of the common types of therapies for mental health include:
- Solution-focused therapy
- Problem-solving therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Interpersonal therapy
- Mindfulness therapy
The stroke survivor’s life may have changed significantly. If an individual goes from a fast-paced, independent life to feeling reliant on others, they may feel anxious or depressed. Each type of therapy focuses on a different approach.
Some stroke survivors face mood disorders because of neurological damage, but they can begin understanding their emotions with treatment. Every therapeutic approach is unique, and people respond best to different methods. For the best results, a stroke patient may want to try various therapies until they discover what helps them best cope with their current condition.
