Stroke therapy plays an important role in keeping stroke patients in good condition and helps prevent further disability. Brain damage from a stroke can spread andnSo it's a long term problem. So that the quality of life stroke sufferer increases, stroke therapy is required.
Stroke can cause sufferers to experience paralysis or reduced ability to function. Although some can fully recover in a short time, in general, stroke survivors need medical and psychological support for a long period of time to restore their body functions so that they can be more independent.
Therapy Medical
Stroke therapy can restore the quality of life of stroke survivors. Here are some therapies that can be given, including:
- Physical therapy
A stroke can weaken the muscles in the sufferer's body. This makes it difficult for the body and joints to move. The effect is that coordination and body movement are reduced as well as difficulty doing physical activities such as walking and standing.
Physical therapy helps strengthen the body's muscles and trains stroke survivors to be able to return to their activities after experiencing brain damage. Physical therapy or physiotherapy is therapy carried out by physiotherapists and therapists, who will first evaluate the patient's physical problems. If the physical problem suffered is too severe, it can be assisted with tools to support recovery from movement disorders of the patient's body.
- Speech and language therapy
One of the consequences of a stroke is the loss or decline in the ability to speak. Speech disorders due to stroke can include decreased overall ability to speak, not being able to use the right words, or not being able to complete sentences.
Strokes can also damage the muscles that control the sufferer's ability to speak. Stroke therapy for this disorder can be done by a speech and language therapist, who will train the patient to speak clearly and coherently. If the disorder is too severe, then stroke therapy is to find ways to communicate other than talking.
- Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is rehabilitation that helps a person regain, develop, and build important skills, related to independence in daily activities. Patients will be trained according to their needs, for example how to button a shirt and brush teeth.
Occupational therapy can be done together with speech and language therapy, to train the cognitive abilities of someone who has had a stroke. Cognitive abilities that can be impaired due to stroke include decreased ability to think, reason, inability to make judgments, and memory problems.
- Recreational therapy and psychological therapy
Recreational therapy can be given to post-stroke patients to love what they used to do, such as keeping pets, or making crafts and art, depending on the patient's interests.
Psychological therapy or psychotherapy is needed to improve the mental condition of someone who has had a stroke. It's just that conditions that are no longer as they used to are prone to growing feelings of depression and emotional disturbances in sufferers. One of the most common forms is withdrawing from social activities and giving up hope of recovery.
Alternative Therapy
In addition to the stroke therapy above, the following therapies can be used as alternatives for poststroke patients. However, always consult a doctor first because the following steps have not been fully proven to significantly help post-stroke recovery.
- I alsoktour
Therapy using special needles that are inserted into the surface of the skin has been popular in Asia for centuries. Acupuncture therapy is claimed to help reduce pain, paralysis, and muscle problems due to stroke.
- Massage
Massage is a very common therapy for stroke survivors. Massage can help improve mood, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and relax the body and mind. In addition, it can also help with muscle problems by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
- Yoga
Yoga can help improve the quality of life of post-stroke patients through breathing and slow movements. Yoga also helps patients improve mental focus lost due to stroke. This sport is a wise choice for stroke sufferers, considering that this sport has minimal impact and the risk of injury.
- Aroma therapy
Aromatherapy is the use of certain scents to help people relax and reduce pain. Rosemary, lavender, and peppermint are scents that are commonly used by those whose health is problematic due to stroke.
- Herbal medicine
Some herbal medicines claim to be able to improve blood circulation to the brain while increasing its function. There are also those who claim to be able to prevent someone from having a further stroke. However, you should first consult with your doctor if you want to use any herbs as an alternative stroke treatment.
If done regularly and consistently, stroke therapy will improve the quality of life of sufferers. Not only undergoing treatment, emotional and social support from the closest people also plays an important role in the stroke therapy series. Use a professional therapist and consult a doctor for optimal results.