Rehab Select Blog

More than 700,000 Americans suffer a stroke every year. Strokes can be devastating — physically, cognitively, and emotionally. The process of recovery may be tough, but physical therapy can be helpful for minimizing symptoms and improving quality of life after a stroke.

If you’re a stroke survivor or have a loved one who is, chances are you have a lot of questions about stages of stroke recovery. Since every stroke patient is different, there simply are no easy answers as to how fast or how far recovery will progress, but you should know that there are tips for stroke recovery that can help ensure better outcomes.   

The stroke recovery timeline is unpredictable. Some patients may recover completely within weeks of a stroke; others may take months or even years to fully recover; and still others may experience moderate to severe side effects on a permanent basis.

When someone has a stroke, it is common to think that the biggest ramifications will be physical and/or cognitive. And it is true that patients will have physical and cognitive long term effects of stroke to at least some degree, but one commonoutcomeof stroke is depression. For that reason, stroke rehabilitation must include treatment for depression and treating stroke's cognitive and physical effects.

For patients and their loved ones, the physical effects of stroke – paralysis, weakness, vision loss, and pain, among many other potential problems – are clear. However, the emotional effects of stroke can be much more difficult to recognize, and they can be just as traumatic and limiting as physical problems – even more so in some cases. For that reason, understanding these changes and taking steps to address them is essential to making the most of stroke rehab and recovery. 

When an area of the brain experiences a sudden reduction or loss of blood flow, the affected brain cells are deprived of oxygen and, within seconds, begin to die. This process is known as a stroke. Strokes are both relatively common and extremely serious - the Mayo Clinic categorizes them as a medical emergency requiring urgent treatment.

Stroke is the most frequent cause of long-term disability in the U.S. and the fifth leading cause of death, according to the American Stroke Association.

After a stroke, one of the most important ways to encourage recovery is to begin a rehabilitation program right away. The overarching goal of stroke rehabilitation is to stabilize your condition, help you gain optimal function, and promote the best quality of life.

Strokes are one of the leading causes of long-term disability in the US, affecting nearly 800,000 Americans every year. Recovering from the severe side effects caused by strokes can be a long and arduous process, requiring intensive rehabilitative therapy.

It’s difficult to watch someone you care about suffer through a stroke, and the additional prospect of taking responsibility for their care can be overwhelming. However, with some preparation and advocacy, you can take some of the pressure off and make the best decisions to support your loved one’s recovery.