Neurological rehabilitation
After a stroke or spinal cord injury, the rehabilitation team stands with the patient and family on the way back to daily life.
What is neurological rehabilitation?
After a stroke, spinal cord injury or nerve disease, many simple tasks have to be learned again. A physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist treats conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves. The doctor sets the treatment plan and coordinates a team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other colleagues.
What does the plan include?
- Physiotherapy and exercises for movement and walking
- Work on speech, swallowing and vision
- Work on memory, concentration and thinking
- Help with low mood, anxiety and tiredness
- Managing bladder and bowel problems with advice, exercises and medicines
- Treating muscle stiffness (spasticity), which some specialists in this field do with botulinum toxin injections
- Equipment and changes at home to make moving around easier
How long does recovery take?
Nobody can say in advance for each patient. It depends on how much the stroke has affected someone physically and mentally, and on the rehabilitation plan. Some people improve within days or weeks. For others recovery takes months or years, and lasting changes to daily life may be needed.
Rehabilitation is hard work, but it helps. Progress should also be reviewed from time to time.
What is the family’s role?
Family and friends are a big part of recovery. Join sessions, learn the home exercises and help make the home easier to live in. Caring is hard, so get support for yourself too.
Help at home
The patient support form lists physiotherapy and rehabilitation at home (stroke, movement and older adults), nursing at home and home visits by doctors. Details are on the support page.
If you see signs of a new stroke, such as a suddenly drooping face, sudden weakness in an arm or leg, or sudden trouble speaking, call 115 at once.
Frequently asked questions
When should rehabilitation start?
The care team decides the timing. Ask about the rehabilitation plan before leaving hospital.
The patient cannot come to the clinic. What can we do?
The patient support form includes physiotherapy and rehabilitation at home and home visits by doctors. Call the support number.
Does improvement stop after a few months?
It differs for each patient. For some, recovery goes on for months or years. Review progress with the rehabilitation team.
The first step is hearing your story.
Go to the booking page or talk to the support team. Have your scans, reports and list of medicines ready.