| A vital aspect for what stroke exercises to perform is | | | | production or hearing of the speech. The problem has |
| determined by what part of the brain has been | | | | to do with the brain's processing of language which |
| damaged by the stroke event. A stroke occurs when | | | | affects the understanding and expression of it. |
| blood to the area is compromised and this results in | | | | Cognitive exercises are therefore very important for |
| decreased oxygen. It can also be called a CVA or | | | | post stroke recovery. |
| cerebrovascular accident. The problems experienced | | | | Probably one of the most common parts of |
| post stroke are a result of the extent of the injury | | | | rehabilitation for stroke involves motor rehabilitation. |
| which relates to how much of the brain area was | | | | Motor is this regards refers to the movement of the |
| affected. Also relating to problems experienced is | | | | body. Stroke survivors who have issues with |
| which side of the brain or part of the brain has been | | | | movement might have a flaccid or limp limb that has |
| damaged. | | | | little muscle tone or they may have spasticity in the |
| Stroke exercises form an integral part of the recovery | | | | limb which makes it rigid. Either way there can be |
| and rehabilitation process. The latest scientific research | | | | difficulty with the movement of this limb and working |
| about the brain and recovery demonstrate a | | | | on improving movement and coordination of any |
| remarkable finding called 'neuroplasticity' with regards | | | | affected limbs is very important. Goals of regaining |
| to the brain and the nervous system. Neuroplasticity is | | | | some independence such as walking, getting dressed, |
| a combination of the words neurology which can refer | | | | feeding oneself or getting out of bed are vitally |
| to the brain and nervous system and the word plastic | | | | important to help improve the quality of life for a stroke |
| which refers to something soft and pliable. Basically | | | | survivor. |
| science has found that the brain is a 'plastic' organ, | | | | Sensory disturbances may affect areas of the skin or |
| which means it is not fixed or rigid but it is highly | | | | the bodies ability to feel things. The area may feel |
| adaptable and able to change or mold. This concept is | | | | numb or become unable to discriminate between hot |
| the process behind stroke recovery and people abilities | | | | and cold objects or sharp or dull objects. There may |
| to regain functions after a stroke. With regards to | | | | be just reduced feeling in the area where some feeling |
| stroke exercises in very broad categories we can | | | | may be present but the level of sensitivity is very poor. |
| look at three main areas which are cognitive | | | | The movement of limbs can be affected by these |
| exercises, motor exercises and sensory exercises. | | | | sensory problems because it can be difficult to move |
| One aspect of stroke exercises can focus should | | | | something you can not feel. |
| focus on cognition. Cognition can be defined as the | | | | The need for specific stroke exercises to help a |
| processing of thought for example recalling a | | | | patient with their recovery and rehabilitation is very |
| telephone number. For those that have suffered a | | | | important. These exercises should target the |
| CVA on the left side of the brain it is common to have | | | | symptoms that the stroke survivor is having and |
| some language related cognitive problems. This is | | | | address the areas of the brain affected. A more |
| usually referred to as an aphasia. Typically there can | | | | tailored approach can help ensure the most recovery |
| be difficulty with expressing speech or understanding | | | | and speed up the process. |
| speech despite nothing being wrong with speech | | | | |