Until recently, it was believed that once the brain was injured, as in the case of a stroke, the damage was permanent. However, recent studies have demonstrated the plasticity of the brain and its ability to "rewire" itself after injury.

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Most of the studies have determined that this "rewiring" of the brain comes as a result of relearning the lost functions through increased and repetitive use.

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The involved extremities in a stroke are "flaccid" or very weak, or show "spasticity", an abnormally increased muscle tone, or a mixture of both. In any scenario, the patient will have difficulty using the involved side's arm and a leg to perform any of their daily activities.

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Undergoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy helps restore these lost functions. Rehabilitation focuses on making the patient functional, this means teaching the patient to walk, get in and out of bed, feed, dress, and address any speech impairment incorporating in the treatment the use of the weakened side of the body.

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Depending on the severity of the stroke, patients can fully recover their ability to perform their daily activities independently as in the case of a mild stroke, or they may become disabled in varying degrees as in the case of a more severe stroke.

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Initially, after the stroke, therapy is usually given for a few hours daily for 2 to 4 weeks as an inpatient either at the hospital or rehabilitation facility. Once the patient goes home therapy is given for one to three hours two to three days a week for a few months to a year.

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Transfer Training, Bed mobility Training, Balance, and gait training are integral parts of stroke rehabilitation. Our physical therapists provide the necessary facilitation to enhance the patient's proprioception and balance reactions.