Stroke is surprisingly prevalent. The United States has recorded that each year almost 800,00 people suffer from a stroke which leaves them physically weak due to neurological damage. This damage can be quite challenging to recover from. It would help if you had the right balance of medication and physical exercise. While it can be initially difficult for the patient to lift their limbs, they must take small steps and perform the important lower body exercises. These can help patients get better sooner. The Best Lower Body Exercises for Stroke Patients Hip Flexion with Hold This exercise works best for patients with limited mobility as the legs need to be assisted by the arms. It is a simple exercise that requires you to lift your affected leg with your hands and pull it into your chest. Hold the position for a second and let go of your leg slowly in its original position. Do it with both legs keeping your core tight and back straight. As your health gets better, you can perform this exercise without the help of your hands. Standing and Balance It is one of the most integral lower body exercises. Often strokes can affect your balance and coordination. This makes simple actions like walking or standing difficult. Standing and balance exercise can help you regain that strength. Lean against a plain surface for support, lift one of your legs, and transfer your body weight to one side. Swing your other leg to that side. Hold this position for 10 seconds using your balance. Slowly put your leg down and start with the other. Knee Extension Knee extension is one of the more advanced lower body exercises, and you cannot expect to be able to perform this in your initial days. Do not be disheartened. You will get there eventually. Sit on a chair with your back straight and extend your left leg parallel to the floor. Do not keep your knee locked out but rather soft. Then bring the foot slowly down to the floor. Repeat this with the other leg. Hamstring Stretch Stretching exercises form an important part of lower body exercises for patients who have suffered from a stroke. Stretch out your hamstrings, trying to reach for the toes while sitting in a chair. Bend your hips instead of your low back. Try to hold the stretch for around twenty minutes or as comfortable. Seated Marching Seated marching is one of those lower body exercises that you undertake after mastering the basics and acquiring some mobility, if not significantly. To perform this, you must lift a leg into your chest and then place it back on the floor. Make sure that your back is straight. Repeat the step on the other leg and keep doing it alternatively (as if marching). You can also upgrade this exercise after your health has improved significantly by pushing down your thighs slightly when the leg is at the top. Internal Rotation This leg exercise is complicated but not difficult, and patients with limited mobility can do it. If you are at the initial stage of physical therapy, use a towel beneath your foot. But if you are comfortable without a towel, go ahead. Now use your hands to hold your leg and slide the foot toward your midline. Once you have reached a comfortable and satisfying position, slowly bring it forward. You may use your hands for assistance but try to accept the challenge sometimes. Why is Physical Exercise Important for Stroke Patients? Most strokes affect the mobility and physical function of a person. Nerve damage cannot be treated only with medication, and one must also indulge in some physical exercises. It helps the body recover from the shock of nerve damage and brings back mobility. Besides that, there are also several other reasons why such patients must exercise.
Safety Physical exercise will bring about strength in the body that gets lost due to nerve damage. It makes patients get better sooner. With dedication and the right kind of activity, a stroke patient can even take a holiday. However, one must keep in mind the essential holiday safety tips like private and special transportation, safe hotels with the doctor, etc. Preventing Recurring Stroke Physical inactivity increases your risk of stroke. Lower body exercises can prevent recurring attacks. Moreover, several exercises suit patients of all levels. You can pick yours depending on your comfort and mobility. Similar Link: Essential Tips to Keep You Safe While Using a Rollator Helps Fight Depression A sudden attack like a stroke can affect the mental state of the patient. Besides the attack shocking the body, the physical immobility also causes a major mental setback. That is why depression in older people after a stroke is prevalent. Physical exercise can take their minds off from the loss and focus more on recovery. Pain Alleviation Lower body exercises alleviate pain and help recover faster. While medication is equally important to deal with pain, exercise can make a lot of difference with medication. After the episode, stroke patients must be given the right kind of care- both psychological and medical. It will help them cope better. Besides physical activities like lower body exercises, patients must visit doctors for regular checkups, even if they seem troublesome. To ease the problem of transportation, one can opt for patient transportation services that ensure safety and care.
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AuthorElderly transportation has become the need of the hour in the US, where many older people are either handicapped or need assistance. With Secure Comfort Care’s Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) services, a helping hand is reached to older people. Now senior citizens can avail themselves of services like wheelchair transportation or stretcher support for meeting various medical appointments. Archives
May 2023
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