, , ,

Stroke Rehabilitation @ No Barriers Foundation

Stroke is a common condition seen by many physiotherapists, often leading to motor dysfunction and in some cases permanent disability. The rehabilitative objective of stroke patients is based on independent living by improving their functional disabilities. Therefore, rehabilitation training for stroke patients should focus on improving flexibility, muscular strength, coordination, and sense of balance to maintain an independent lifestyle through the recovery of physical functions. Rehabilitation treatment needs to be consistent and long-term.

Exoskeleton has in recent years emerged as a reliable and safe alternative to standard physiotherapy rehabilitation techniques. At the No Barriers Foundation, the exoskeleton is used to provide rehabilitation training and for walking assistance to patients affected by post-stroke disability. Lower-limb rehabilitation robots such as the Ekso GT we currently operate can help patients to carry out reasonable and effective training to improve the motor function of paralysed extremity in a safe effective manner. Exoskeleton rehabilitation allows high intensity repetitive and progressive gait training that is not achievable in many settings.

Another piece of equipment we have at our disposal is the EasyStand Glider which helps many clients in many ways. For example, in stroke survivors aids the reduction in tone while increasing joint range of motion. The EasyStand Glider features state-of-the-art active standing technology found in no other stander. Active standing provides lower body range of motion and upper body strengthening. There are several excellent research studies documenting the benefits of passive standing programs for an individual’s long-term health. The EasyStand Evolv stander allows the user to move in and out of standing without having to be lifted or transferred making it ideal for exercise in its own right but also as an adjunct to the exoskeleton training performed.

Reformer training involves low and intermediate intensity resistance and repetition that matches the patient’s physical ability and can be a remedial exercise program that can improve physical ability and influence quality of life. With hemiplegia, there is a strong tendency to shift completely to the unaffected side, which only reinforces the weakness and poor motor control of the affected side. Reformer Pilates helps to correct that.

At the No Barriers Foundation, we offer a creative rehabilitation program experience that considers both physical and mental components of rehabilitation for improving balance, strength, mobility and ability to walk when using specialist exercise therapy for recovering functions in stroke patients.

Contact us at hello@nobarriers.ie for more details

/0 Comments/by
, ,

Things we all need to know about stroke

Only a person who has survived a stroke survivor can really understand what it’s like living post stroke although that does not always mean that we can’t help and relate to the warrior within. During these difficult times with Covid-19 many people will suffer a stroke or be recovering from a stroke with reduced services all over the country. It can be a long road………. warrior like!!

However, the more we understand what stroke recovery involves, the more we can help our friends, family members or loved ones recover. However, to do this it’s important to be educated about stroke and how it affects a survivor every day.

As a physiotherapist we always want to make sure that we are using the most effective evidence-based tools to rehab someone post stroke. However, the physical injuries from stroke are only one part of the rehabilitation process and rather than focusing on the physical challenges post stroke I want to look at the hidden challenges for many.

I have NOT suddenly become stupid!!

A stroke is a “brain attack” that reduces the brain of oxygen rich blood. The resulting damage post stroke may affect different skills, like language and speaking. However, this does not mean the person has lost intelligence. Rather, it means they might need more time to find the right words………. Just be patient!

Again, Be Patient!!

Recovery from a stroke can often mean relearning the simplest tasks like it was the very first time. This can be very frustrating for stroke survivors so be patient!! Be patient with when chatting to someone as memory both short- and long-term memory may be affected but remember it’s not personal if someone can’t remember your name or where you live.

If a stroke survivor nods off it’s simply the brain healing and has nothing to do with laziness.

Stroke causes damage to the brain that must be healed. Just like any injury the brain requires time to heal. When a stroke survivor is overcome with regular tiredness early in their rehabilitation it’s not because they’re being lazy. It’s because their brain is healing and requires rest to recover. Tasks that once felt effortless may require a tremendous amount of effort now.

If I need help, I will ask.

Recovering from a stroke for many requires some help from those around you, however, always remember the stroke survivor needs to do as much as they can for themselves. The reasons for this are simple movements or tasks are important for recovery, so avoid helping too much. If a stroke survivor needs help, most often hey will ask.

Emotional Fragility During Recovery

Occasionally the emotional part of the brain may be affected by the stroke, some stoke survivors may laugh, and some may cry at various times throughout their recovery and for various reasons. This does not always mean they are sad or that they are laughing at something inappropriate it’s sometimes difficult for some stroke survivors to control their emotions. It’s a condition called emotional lability. Put yourself in the shoes of a stroke survivor. If everything suddenly changed, and you had no control over it, wouldn’t you feel emotion too?

Finally, the goal for any stroke survivor is to get back to “normal” this maybe the old normal or new normal.

Please remember when you meet someone that has survived a stroke the challenges they have faced already and will face during recovery are varied from the emotional, behavioural, and even personality changes never mind the physical deficits that may occur after stroke.

We can all help by allowing stroke survivors or stroke warriors to be themselves in the now instead of what was in the past.

/0 Comments/by
, ,

Healthy Workplace = Happy Workplace

It turns out that a lack of exercise in our lives is a silent killer. The World Health Organisation lists physical inactivity as the fourth biggest risk factor for death in adults across the world.

The latest research shows when it comes to heart disease, leading a sedentary life is as great a risk factor as smoking and obesity. In fact, inactivity in terms of disease risk, is more dangerous than being overweight.

If you spend long periods of time sitting, this is particularly bad news, as it increases your risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer. The most current research has shown that even normal weight individuals that are inactive, are at risk of developing disease. There is a molecular pathway that is essential to burning fats, that shuts down with inactivity, and that subsequently increases your risk of developing heart disease.

And unfortunately you can’t bank the benefits of exercise from your youth, hoping it will help you 40 years down the line. The ideal scenario is to have been active throughout your lifespan, but research has shown that your health can benefit from physical activity at any age, meaning it doesn’t matter when you start, as long as you start!

Physical activity performed regularly, can help to prevent and manage over 20 chronic medical conditions. These include coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, mental health problems and musculoskeletal conditions.

And the good news is that we can combat the negative effects of prolonged sitting (total of 8 hours or more) with regular physical activity. The reality is that hectic schedules can make it seem impossible to fit workouts into your busy week. The prospect of packing a gym bag, trudging to your local gym, working out, showering, changing, and trudging back to where you came from, can feel like a lot of effort. But when we neglect exercise, we not only put both our physical and mental health at risk, but we also negatively impact our productivity and effectiveness at work.

And you would be surprised at the number of opportunities there are in a working day, to increase your activity levels.  You can in fact accumulate activity that is beneficial to health, in lots of different ways during the day.

 

17 Ways to Be More Active at Work

– Thinking on your Feet – Why it Pays to Be Physically Active at Work Client Newsletter

– Stretching Exercises for the Workplace

– Strengthening Exercises for the Workplace

– Why Posture Matters

– Optimal Desk Posture Infographic

– Carpal Tunnel Infographic

– Preventing and Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

– Carpal Tunnel Rehabilitation Exercise Sheet

As physiotherapists we can help with a wide range of issues caused by long periods of sitting at a desk, including back and neck pains, tingling in your hands, carpal tunnel syndrome, even regular headaches experienced at work.

Please get in touch through our website at www.nobarriers.ie or email hello@nobarriers.ie if you need advice.

/0 Comments/by
,

Prevent Disease and Stay Healthy

The benefits of physical activity for healthy people include:

Improved mood and mental health: Physical activity changes hormones in the brain and increases a release of endorphins (the happy hormones) and reduces cortisol levels (stress hormones). In addition, physical activity has been proven to reduce the risk of developing depression and been helpful in managing depression. People who are more active also have a lower chance of reaching burnout and are better at managing stress levels. With more activity you are able to get fitter and stronger and consequently do more – this in turn helps build your self-esteem and self-worth, motivating you to do even more and achieve things you never thought possible. You may also choose to exercise with others or in a group and the socialising with others can also be hugely positive on your mood.

Improved cognitive function: Dementia risk is reduced by up to 24% in people who engaged in moderate to high levels of activity. And Alzheimer’s disease risk was reduced by 37% in people with high levels of physical activity.

Maintain healthy weight: Exercise alone won’t guarantee long-term weight loss, a balanced diet and behaviour change is also necessary. However, exercise helps regulate your blood sugars, improve your glycaemic index and build lean muscle mass. This healthy body image and improved body composition will allow weight control, improved fitness and improved function. Weight loss also reduces the load on your joints and stronger muscles support more stable joints, allowing you to do even more.

Live longer: Low fitness has been attributed as a cause of 16% of deaths. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of death by 30%. People who exercise regularly can live for an additional 4.5 years compared to sedentary people. This is all because of the effects of physical activity on muscles, bone health, blood vessel function, nerve function and chemicals in the brain and blood vessel walls. The benefits to your psychological well-being are also likely to contribute to living longer.

Reduced chance of falls: Exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of falling by as much as 21% because you have stronger muscles and more stable joints. Regular exercise also promotes better ‘communication’ with the nerves from the brain to the feet and benefits balance, control and co-ordination, all of which are required to make you more stable on your feet. People doing specific balance exercises with daily activity reduced their fall risk by as much as 49%.

Improved quality of life: Regular physical activity will improve your cardiovascular fitness (your heart and lungs), you will feel less breathless and able to do more. Stronger muscles demand less oxygen as they work more efficiently, so you are able to do more with less effort. All of this adds up to being able to fulfill chores, tasks and work more easily, stay independent, and enjoy life more.

Improved sleep and less fatigue: It is a well-known fact that as your fitness levels increase so your sleep improves. Improved sleep will help reduce feelings of tiredness. Also, the fitter and stronger you become the easier tasks and chores or exercises will feel, leaving you less tired and empowered to do more.

Manage stress: Exercise is a healthy outlet for nervous energy and a welcome distraction from negative thoughts and feelings. It helps reduce fear symptoms and catastrophisation and increases a sense of calm and overall well-being. Better sleep and improved socialising also leads to enhanced relationships. All these factors contribute to reducing stress levels through regular exercise.

A good idea before starting an activity is to sit down with your physiotherapist, GP or family member/friend and write down what it is you want to achieve. Set goals, easy achievable ones initially. These will help build self-esteem and confidence. Should you require more information contact us at hello@nobarriers.ie for more information or guidance.

/0 Comments/by