Stroke Archives - Page 7 of 8

What is spasticity?

by Tara Tobias | May 8, 2020 | Neurologic Rehabilitation Concepts, Stroke

Spasticity is an involuntary muscle contraction caused by a hyperexcitability of the reflex arc that occurs due to damage to the brain or the spinal cord. Huh?? Yeah, agreed. Ok, I get it, keep it simple. Did you ever wonder why your leg seems to spaz out for no...

Does Mirror Therapy Improve Arm Function?

by Tara Tobias | May 4, 2020 | Stroke, Stroke Arm Exercises, Stroke Treatment

Mirror therapy (MT) is one of several effective treatments used to regain arm movement after a stroke. Mirror Therapy Background MT was originally designed to treat phantom limb pain with amputees. The way it worked was that it gave the person the sensation that they...

Mental Practice Helps Movement Recovery after a Stroke

by Tara Tobias | May 4, 2020 | Mental strategies, Stroke, Stroke Treatment

Mental practice is a way of relearning movement (motor functions) by creating an image in your mind of the body performing that movement without the body actually moving. This method of enhancing performance and/or improving a motor skill has been used for decades in...

What is Neuroplasticity?

by Tara Tobias | May 4, 2020 | Stroke, Stroke Treatment

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to form new connections (rewire) after a brain injury or a stroke. Recovery of motor (movement) function after a stroke involves relearning motor skills using this idea of neuroplasticity. Furthermore, this idea of brain...

Best Tools for Eating after Stroke

by Tara Tobias | Apr 29, 2020 | Activities of daily living, Neurologic Rehabilitation Equipment, Stroke

Being able to eat and prepare food without help after a stroke can help someone both physically and mentally. That being said, this might be challenging if you only have full use of one hand. Here are my top four picks that might help someone to start the process of...

What is Stroke Rehabilitation?

by Tara Tobias | Apr 29, 2020 | Stroke, Stroke Treatment

Most likely you or someone you know will require stroke rehabilitation in their lifetime. The fact is, 700,000 people suffer a stroke each year (in the US) and two-thirds will survive. Of those who survive, post-stroke rehabilitation is critical. What is Post-Stroke...