Osteopathy and Physical Therapy
Post-stroke therapy is critical for stroke recovery.
A stroke often causes paralysis on one side, a condition known as hemiparesis. As a result, the patient is unable to move one side of his or her body; this happens because the cerebral hemisphere of that body half which has been affected is no longer able to receive the relevent signals. This knowledge was absolutely groundbreaking for post-stroke therapy, and thus for post-stroke recovery. One-sided paralyzes are irreversible, however. Post-stroke therapy, and thus post-stroke recovery, entails compensation for this loss of one half of the body. For stroke recovery, it is important that the healthy hemisphere of the brain takes over the tasks of the destroyed brain cells, so that motor skills can be reinitiated. The technical term for this is "neuroplasticity." Physical therapy supports plasticity in stroke recovery.
In order to restore the movement apparatus, it is important to begin therapy as soon as possible after the stroke. This also includes explaining post-stroke therapy to the patient, and also conveying to them that the paralyzed side, or the damaged hemisphere, must be taxed in an extreme way. Relatives thus participate in post-stroke therapy as well, for example turning to the patient exclusively from the paralyzed side and even handing the pateint object such as food or drinks only on this side.
