After a stroke, the muscle is often intact and the message reaching it is not. Rehabilitation is the work of rebuilding that pathway, and of finding a different way of doing something where the original way is not coming back.
We treat adults at any stage after a stroke, whether that is weeks, months or several years. Many people come to us when NHS therapy has finished and they still feel they have progress left in them, which is frequently the case.
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What we work on
Whatever matters most to you, which is not always what a clinician would pick first. Commonly it is walking further or more safely, getting a weak arm and hand back into use, standing up from a chair without help, managing stairs, and reducing the risk of falling. Sometimes it is something very specific, such as getting back to driving, gardening or holding a grandchild.
Does rehabilitation still help after the first year
Yes, in most cases. Improvement is fastest early on, which is why starting soon matters, but the notion of a hard cut off after six months does not match either the evidence or what we see. NICE guidance on stroke rehabilitation supports continuing rehabilitation for as long as a person is making progress towards agreed goals, and we will be honest with you about whether that is happening.
Involving family
Most of the work happens between appointments, so the person helping at home needs to know what they are doing and why. We would rather teach you properly and answer too many questions than have you guessing. Family are welcome in appointments.
Recognising another stroke
If you see face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty, ring 999 immediately. Every minute counts, and that applies just as much to somebody who has already had one stroke.
