The home exercises are probably the most important part of a rehabilitation program. That being said, you “traditional exercise equipment” might not be the most appropriate for the exercises that will help to restore normal movement patterns. I have set up many of home gyms for my patients over the years, and here is a lift of the items that I think are the most critical and the most versatile to cover a wide range of movement retraining activities.
1. Mat Table
The most important piece of equipment every stroke survivor needs is a treatment/mat table. A mat table provides a firm surface to perform exercises. Most mat tables are height adjustable making it easy for anyone at any level to transfer onto and off of.
A folding mat table is easy to store out of the way when not in use.
Click here to check price
2. A step stool
You can hold on to the hand to help with balance
You can also use a step stool to get on and off the floor
3. A bedside table
A heigth adjustable bed side table is also super important. The adjustable height feature allows you to support the elbow at the right height while performing are exercises.
Click here to check price
4. Full length Mirror
A very common problem after a stroke is for the brain to lose the ability to know where the body is in space. We call this proprioception. A mirror can be a critical tool to retrain this part of your brain. It is also valuable to make sure you are maintaining good form when you are performing your exercises.
Click here to check the price of a rolling mirror.
4. Foam Wedge
A foam wedge is great for stretching the ankles. This
Click here to check price
5. Nylatex Wraps
Nylatex wraps come in different sized and it can be used to hold and arm, hand, or leg. The thing that makes this type of wrap the best on the market for this purpose is that they are rubber on one side to prevent it from slipping and the velcro is second to none in keeping the straps secure.
Here is how to use this if your hand has a tendency to fall off the walker.
The nylatex wraps are also great for positioning the arm for stretches
Click here to check price
Stroke Walking Aide: Product Guide
Re-learning how to walk after a stroke can be challenging. And finding the best walking aid can be one of the most critical decisions when it comes to regaining your independence. But with so many different options on the market, how do you choose? Well, you are in...
Just got my foam wedges, got the full length mirror and nylatex wraps. I really have no place to store the mat. I also have a Bowflex machine, treadmill, e-stim, free weights, ankle weights, and any other tool that might help my recovery.
Dear dr Tobias,
A few months ago, looking in a bunch of average videos, I noticed one that stood out with an expert explanation and selection of exercises on the Orlando channel, I found many more good ones, I discarded all the others and now I only do exercises from those videos and I see improvement. I’ve reviewed all the videos, from the first short ones with text to the latest and now I’m looking forward to a new video every week. I commend the new Rehab-hq.com site, I think it covers the problems of neurological patients very well.
When I read about us, it drew me to write you this text.
Although I am an optimist, but I have often thought about where this world is going, everyone is just running for profit and self-interest, conflicts, moral crisis of society, but now my optimism returns to a better future when I see enthusiasm with which energy you share your vast knowledge and experience FREE to everyone who needs it. There have always been people who have a vision and have spared neither effort nor time for the benefit of others like Lincoln, Gandhi and many lesser known ones. Edison and Tesla worked in the same environment, profit was important to Edison, and you think like Tesla, the well-being of the environment is important to you, not just earnings. There are very few such people today. May God give you health and energy so that you can endure hard work. Thank you so much for your effort and time. Do vibrating massage chairs and shijatsu help? How to determine how many times a day and how many repetitions of exercises are needed? Is it better to exercise in the morning or before bed?
Thank you very much, best regards.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It is truly a labor of love and I am happy to do it. I am overwhelmed by the positive responses and humbled your analysis of me and my efforts. I am unworthy. As far as the vibrating chair and shiatsu massagers…if it helps with the spasticity, it is ok. However, in many cases that type of vibration can trigger a spasm. It really depends on the person. I hope that helps.
I saw a lesson where shower a device for my shoe to help keep my ankle from breaking . I suffered a intracerebral hemorragic stroke Sept. 27 2017 and I WILL WALK . I found your lessons a few months ago , your lessons really help a lot.