Acupuncture is form of treatment offered by trained Physiotherapists. There is good evidence to show that it is effective, and it is often used alongside other treatments like exercise and mobilisation of your joints and muscles. Our Physiotherapists will discuss with you whether acupuncture can benefit you, the number of sessions required and check for any contra-indications. Our Physiotherapists are registered under the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP).

What Is A Stroke?
A stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) results from an interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain. This can be caused by a blocked or burst blood vessel. Without a rich blood supply and oxygen, the brain cells can become irreversibly damaged. Although brain cells are unable to recover from the damage caused by a stroke, areas of the brain are able to adapt to learn new tasks and compensate for the area that has been damaged.

There are two main types of stroke, ischemic and haemorrhagic:

Ischemic:
About 80% of strokes are ischemic and result from a clot or blockage forming in the blood vessel, causing a lack of oxygen to the brain cells. The clot can occur at the site of the blockage, or it can travel from other blood vessels in the body and become lodged in the arteries that supply the brain.

Haemorrhagic:
These result from blood vessels in and around the brain rupturing and causing bleeding in the surrounding areas. This causes a build up of pressure which damages the delicate tissues. The disruption of the blood supply also results in the cells in the surrounding areas being starved of oxygen.

Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA) are often known as mini strokes. These are brief episodes where some brain function is temporarily lost due to short disruption of the blood supply. Symptoms, such as limb weakness, last less than 24 hours as the cells in the brain have not been permanently damaged.

You can find more information about risk factors and life after stroke in www. Stroke.org.uk. How to identify stroke – https://www.nhs.uk/actfast/pages/stroke.aspx

Effects:
The effects of stroke are determined by the type of stroke, area of the brain affected and the extent of the damage to the brain tissue. The brain is an incredibly complex organ, with each area having the responsibility for a specific function or ability.

Some of the common effects of stroke are:

• Muscle weakness (usually on one side)
• Increased tone or spasticity
• Reduced sensation
• Reduced balance and coordination
• Reduced mobility
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Speech and language difficulties
• Difficulties with spatial and perceptual abilities
• Changes in behaviour, such as becoming more impulsive
• Memory difficulties
• Incontinence
• Fatigue
• Mood changes

Stroke Rehab at home:
Many stroke survivors experience the most dramatic recovery during their stay in hospital in the weeks after their stroke.

But many stroke survivors continue to improve over a longer time, sometimes over a number of years. Their recovery is in fact a long period of rehabilitation, as they learn to deal with the effects the stroke has had on them.

Rehabilitation is about getting back to normal life and living as independent a life as possible. It involves taking an active approach to ensuring that life goes on for people who have had a stroke. This can mean helping them to acquire new skills or relearn old ones. It may involve helping them adapt to the limitations caused by stroke.

Physiotherapy for stroke:
Through a variety of treatment techniques, our specialised physiotherapists aim to:

• Increase muscle strength through strengthening and mobilisation exercises
• Improve balance and mobility through assessment of different mobility aids and postural re-education
• Reduce muscle stiffness, spasms and pain through stretching programmes
• Reduce the risk of falls through balance work, gait re-education and training
• Increase functional activity of the affected arm and leg through home exercise programmes
• Help reduce foot drop through functional electrical stimulation (FES) and various orthotics
• Increase function, independence and quality of life

Occupational Therapy for stroke:
Our specialist OT’s aim to improve areas of personal care, work or leisure that are becoming difficult. This can be achieved through:

• Assessing function in your own environment and establish any needs for equipment, adaptations, or further rehabilitation.
• Hand therapy including splinting and exercise programmes.
• Assessment and Treatment of cognitive deficits.
• Aiding perception and problems solving difficulties.

Speech and Language Therapy for stroke:
Communication and swallowing are a key part of life and if you’re experiencing difficulty it may be having a huge impact on your quality of life. Our specialist speech and language therapist may be able to help you through:

• Guidance on feeding and swallowing to avoid choking.
• Training for family and carers on how to communicate with someone with dysphasia.
• Strengthening muscles of the face and mouth to improve speech.
• Advice on communication aids.

Please refer NICE guideline for information on long term rehabilitation after stroke.

Our Therapists are trained in specialist falls prevention and management course, qualified as Postural Stability Instructors (www.laterlifetraining.co.uk) – qualified to organise individual and group programmes for falls prevention, based on FaME and Otago exercises.

Recent statics from Age UK (www.ageuk.org.uk) has shown that falls and fractures in people over 65 make up for over 4 million hospital bed days in England alone and the healthcare cost for fractures associated is approximately £2 billion per year.

After a fall an older person has a 50% probability of having significantly reduced mobility and makes them feel more vulnerable and less independent. 1 in 10 people who fall become afraid to leave their homes in case they fall again.

home visits

We provide service around London, Essex, Kent, and Waltham forest. Please contact us to find out about our therapists covering your area.

fees

The fees would depend on the complexity/needs, time required for assessment and treatment, specialities required etc. Please contact us for further information on fees, profile of therapist available to visit you.