15 stroke recovery tips everyone should know

I found the following while I was researching the latest on Spasticity After Stroke. It is from Flint Rehab & I encourage you to read the original article. Here I've condensensed their article and added my own two cents as applicable.
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 1.    RECOVERY IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE, EVEN DECADES AFTER SUFFERING A STROKE

• The brain is ALWAYS capable of healing (at any age & any stage of recovery - so never give up). I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!!

2.    MAKE REPETITION YOUR BEST FRIEND

• Repetition is how you’ll rebuild your skills. I DO MY THERAPIES OVER & OVER!!

3.    SPEED UP YOUR RECOVERY WITH CONSISTENCY

• Without consistency, the NEW connections in your brain will fade & you might lose all your hard work. I AM SO CONSISTENT WITH WHAT I DO EVERYDAY - THERAPY-WISE!!

4.    KNOW YOU’LL EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT SIDE EFFECTS FROM OTHER STROKE PATIENTS

• Every stroke is different & therefore every stroke recovery will be different.

5.    AVOID PERMANENT LOPSIDEDNESS

• The phrase “use it or lose it” is backed by science. If you don’t use your muscles, your brain will forget how to use them.

6.    LEARN HOW TO PERMANENTLY TREAT SPASTICITY

• While Botox is a temporary fix, rehab exercise is a permanent fix. EVEN THOUGH I TAKE DAILY MEDICATIONS & DO BOTOX INJECTIONS, I STILL DO AS MANY OF THE EXERCISES I CAN

7.    ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THE LOCATION OF YOUR STROKE 

• The location of your stroke will have a significant impact on your side effects & recovery process.  I DID

8.    ASK ABOUT THE SIZE OF YOUR STROKE TOO 

• The size of your stroke will have a significant impact on your recovery too.  I DID THAT TOO

9.    ALWAYS STRIVE FOR A FULL RECOVERY

• There’s always hope for a full recovery.  I CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR A FULL RECOVERY

10.    GET TONS OF SLEEP - YOUR BRAIN NEEDS IT 

• It’s natural to crave lots of sleep after stroke, & it’s often best to listen to your body & sleep.  I SLEEP MORE THAN I EVER SLEPT BEFORE !!

11.    DEAL WITH PLATEAUS THE RIGHT WAY

• When your results slow down after stroke, it’s a sign to double up, not back down I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER DONE THAT, BUT IF AND WHEN I DO, I WILL DEAL WITH THEM THE RIGHT WAY

12.    DON’T GO “TOO HARD” & EXERCISE TOO MUCH 

• There is such a thing as too much exercise.  I TRY NOT TO OVER-DO EXERCISE

13.    FEED YOUR BRAIN WITH FEEDBACK  

• Feedback provides your brain with extra stimulation & leads to faster results  I TALK TO MYSELF WITH ONLY POSITIVE FEEDBACK

14.    DO WHAT MICHAEL PHELPS DID EVERYDAY

• Visualization is a powerful neuroscience technique that can help rewire your brain & improve performance.  I ALWAYS VISUALIZE - AND THAT'S WHY I USE A MIRROR SO MUCH

15.    BECOME YOUR OWN STROKE RECOVERY EXPERT 

• Your recovery is in your hands, so keep educating yourself on stroke recovery.  THAT'S WHY I STARTED THIS BLOG!!!!

 
      

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