Stroke Rehabilitation

What is a stroke?

A stroke is brain injury caused by interrupted blood supply. There are two main types:

• Ischaemic stroke (about 70–80%): caused by a blocked vessel.
• Haemorrhagic stroke (about 20–30%): caused by a ruptured vessel.

Why physiotherapy matters

The brain can remodel itself — a property called neuroplasticity. Through activation and training, neuroplasticity helps rebuild the connections of damaged neurons, restoring movement.

The first six months after a stroke is the golden window for recovery, and physiotherapy plays a key role: helping patients re-learn control of their limbs and trunk and regain walking ability, improving independence and supporting a return to daily and social life.

Physiotherapy for stroke patients

Gait training & correction

Walking safely and independently is often the first goal. After a stroke, weakness or abnormal muscle tone can cause poor gait and raise the risk of falls. Training includes:

• Lower-limb weight-shift training
• Practice of each phase of the gait cycle
• Stair training

Functional electrical stimulation

Combined with exercise therapy, a mild current stimulates affected muscles and nerves to trigger contraction, helping patients with weak hand muscles simulate normal movement.

Manual therapy

Various rehab techniques — passive stretching, vibration stimulation and others — reduce abnormal tone and spasticity. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) uses stretch, resistance, pressure and audio-visual cues to stimulate movement.

Standing & walking training

Good standing is the basis of walking, so standing training precedes gait training, progressively restoring standing and walking ability.

Stroke recovery rewards making the most of the golden window, working step by step. Results vary by individual and condition.