Recovery from Mild Hemiparetic Stroke

There are many risk factors for stroke to occur. Such are smoking, alcohol drinking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, hypertension, family history of stroke, old age, heart disease, diabetes and many more. Individuals that have these risk factors must consider that anytime stroke may happen.

Some individuals may develop mild, moderate to severe stroke depending upon the severity of damaged portion of the brain. The brain is a delicate organ that is responsible for most of body functions; particularly motor and sensory functions.

Mild form of stroke occurs when a small portion of the brain is devoid of blood supply for a significant period of time and thereby created an irreversible damage to the brain cells. Partially damaged brain cells may recover over time called “spontaneous recovery”. Affectation of the right side of the brain will result to a left-sided stroke and affectation of the left side of the brain will result to a right-sided stroke. This is due to the crossing over of sensory and motor nerves before it enters into the spinal cord.

What are the Symptoms of Stroke?

• Sudden paralysis of a leg, arm or one side of the face
• Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden vision problems, such as blurred or double vision
• Sudden loss of coordination or problems with balance
• A severe, sudden headache without apparent cause
• Sudden numbness, weakness or dizziness

Call 911 or go to the hospital right away upon noticing these symptoms.

What are the Goals of Stroke Rehabilitation?

·          

• Prevention of re-stroke - Avoiding the risk factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and blood pressure monitoring are just some of the preventions of re-stroke.
• Prevention of complications – includes contracture, pressure sores, physical deformity, respiratory complications and more. 
• Recovery from stroke by attaining the highest functional level – Active participation to the rehabilitation program is necessary to attain the highest functional level of recovery.

What are the Physical Therapy Interventions of Stroke? 

1. Patient education 

2. Proper bed mobility and transfer techniques 
3. Functional rehabilitation – including fine motor movement technique 
4. Home exercise program – Done regularly

• Range of Motion Exercises – active (done by the patient) and passive (done by the therapist)
• Peripheral neuromuscular facilitation
• Stretching of tight musculature and tissues
• Walking
• Bicycle ergometer
• Treadmill

      5. Physical Therapy modalities – eg. electrical stimulation 
6. Activities of daily living modifications
7. Family support

It would take six months, one year or even more years to attain full recovery post stroke or at least minimal residual deficit post stroke. Recovery from mild hemiparetic stroke is different from individual to individual. However, fast recovery post stroke can be attained when rehabilitation intervention is done meticulously.

Image Credit: reporter.leeds.ac.uk

Proper Lifting Techniques

Physical Therapy Funny

"Other" Women's Health Discussion Group

At November's session of the "Other" Women's Health Discussion Group, Kristen Pierce, PT, DPT, who specializes in pelvic physical therapy at Fauquier Health Outpatient Rehabilitation, will discuss how specific physical therapy interventions including exercise, manual techniques, electrical stimulation & biofeedback can be used to treat pelvic pain & incontinence.

Guest Speaker:
Kristen Pierce, PT, DPT, cert. MDT

Location:
The LIFE Center at Fauquier Health
419 Holiday Court, Suite 200
Warrenton, VA 20136

Dates:
Tuesday November 9th Time: 10:00 am
Monday, November 15th Time: 6:00 pm

To register for one of the sessions, please call the LIFE Center at 540-316-2640.

If you need further information or have any questions, please contact Marilyn Caine at 540-349-9325 or mcainepfd@aol.com

Fauquier Health Outpatient Rehabilitation Services is pleased to announce a new service

Physical Therapy Treatment

for the Patient with

Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. In 2011, 261,900 females will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and currently there are approximately 2.3 million breast cancer survivors in the US. Of the 261,900 diagnosed with breast cancer next year, 261,200 should have physical therapy.

Success of cancer care is no longer measured by just the eradication of the disease progression. Today, success also includes the return to pre-diagnosis activity and comfort levels. Quality cancer care requires a comprehensive approach which also includes rehabilitation. Physical therapists, who have trained in cancer rehabilitation and are members of the medical oncology team, are the specialists who can provide treatment for common musculoskeletal and cardiovascular problems that occur after cancer treatment.


Seventy to ninety percent of patients will have one or more of these common physical problems after cancer treatment:

· Pain
· Swelling
· Decreased range of motion
· Cording
· Strength loss
· Soft tissue tightness
· Soft tissue restrictions
· Risk for infection and lymphedema
· Fatigue
· Bone loss
· Muscle loss
· Neuropathy
· Weight gain
· Postural changes
· Loss of normal function


Rehabilitation by a physical therapist can eliminate, reduce, or prevent every one of these issues except neuropathy. Physical therapists in cancer rehabilitation provide treatment from a musculoskeletal perspective throughout the cancer treatment continuum so patients can achieve their full functional level.


Who should have cancer rehabilitation?

· People who have had or will have surgery
· People who have had or will have chemotherapy
· People who have had or will have radiation.


In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fauquier Health Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is pleased to announce a new service provided to our community: Physical Therapy for the Patient with Breast Cancer.


Our cancer rehabilitation team consisting of physical therapists, Joan Wolf, PT and Kristen Pierce, PT, DPT, have recently received specialized training in the physical therapy treatment of the patient with breast cancer. Their specialized training will provide interventions to help eliminate pain, restore joint mobility, restore/maximize tissue flexibility, restore strength, restore activities of daily living, vocational, and recreational activity, and provide education for patients having breast cancer treatment. Treatment is always individualized based on the physical therapy exam and the patient’s goals.


If you have a question for our cancer rehabilitation team, please call 540-316-2680 or click on the button below to submit an inquiry via email.

The Fauquier Health Rehabilitation Team participated in the Pink Hair for Hope event at Warrenton's Salon Emage.

October is National Physical Therapy Month

October is National Physical Therapy Month

In recognition of National Physical Therapy Month, the American Physical Therapy Association is promoting making a commitment to physical activity so children and adults can combat and prevent obesity and its consequences.

The APTA has released the following ideas for fun ways for families to become active:

“Smart Moves” for Families

●Plan weekend family activities involving physical activity, such as hiking, swimming, bicycling, mini-golf, tennis, or bowling.

●Help your child plan physical activities with friends and neighbors, such as skating or softball.

●Have your kids brainstorm a “rainy day” game plan of indoor activities involving fitness games such as Wii Fit or Dance Dance Revolution.

●Remember that your family does not need to join a health club or buy fancy equipment to be active. Walking isn’t costly and it’s easy. So is designing a backyard obstacle course. Weights can be made from soda or detergent bottles filled with sand or water!

●Provide positive rewards for your child when he or she engages in physical activities, such as workout clothes, a new basketball, or an evening of roller-skating.

●Provide positive feedback about your child's lifestyle changes. Remember not to focus on the scale (for you or your child).

●Be your child's "exercise buddy." Plan daily walks or bike rides and set goals together for increasing physical activity rather than for losing weight. It’s also great “bonding” time!

●As you schedule your child's extracurricular activities, remember to plan time for exercise and activity as a priority for the entire family. Don't just "squeeze it in."

●Encourage children to try individualized sports such as tennis and swimming. Studies show such activities are the basis of lifelong fitness habits.

●Parents and children can do exercises while watching television (or at least during commercials), such as sit-ups, push-ups or running in place. Discourage snacking or eating meals while watching.

Source: American Physical Therapy Association

At Fauquier Hospital Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation we have highly skilled, experienced clinicians who have a multitude of certifications to improve your quality of life. We have several specialized physical therapy programs that provide treatment of Pediatric, Women’s Health, Spine, Sports Therapy, Occupational Injuries, Orthopedic and Neurological conditions. We can offer you a specialized examination and treatment in these areas of expertise.

Talk to our physical therapists today and make a plan to get moving!
Do you have a question for your physical therapist? We have an answer. Please click the button below to submit your question or call us at 540-316-2680.

Movement for Health

© Lisa F. Young Dreamstime.com

Active Aging

Physical therapists are exercise experts, providing services for a wide range of people to optimize their physical ability. They prescribe exercise as part of a structured, safe and effective program.

An important part of their role is to help people remain active as they age. More than any other profession, physical therapists prevent and treat chronic disease and disability in aging adults through specifically prescribed activity and movement.

The World Health Organization encourages regular physical activity for older adults, because it has been shown to imporve the functional status and quality of life in this group of individuals.

It says that older adults should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity at least five days a week, if appropriate.

Improving functional ability

Older adults engaged in regular physical activity demonstrate improved:

• Balance
• Strength
• Coordination & Motor Control
• Flexibility
• Endurance

As a result, physical activity can reduce the risk of falls--a major cause of disability among older people.

Participation in regular exercise leads to older adults having higher levels of functional capabilities, greater independence & improved quality of life.

Preventing & treating non-communicable disease

Participation in regular physical activity can prevent or improve many non-communicable diseases prevalent in older adults:

• Cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, stroke)
• Hypertension (elevated blood pressure)
• Osteoarthritis (a disease that causes joint swelling, pain & limits movement
• Osteoporosis (a disease in which bones become fragile)

Being active from an early age can help prevent these non-communicable diseases, and regular movement & activity can also help relieve the disability and pain associated with them.

Improving mental health

Physical activity has been shown to improve mental health and cognitive function in older adults and contributes to the management of disorders, such as depression & anxiety. Active lifestyles often provide older persons with regular occasions to make new friendships, maintain social networks and interact with people of all ages.

Information provided by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy: www.wcpt.org

If you would like to learn more about how a physical therapist may help you, or someone you know, to age actively please click on the button below to ask a question.