A stroke happens when blood stops flowing to any part of your brain, damaging brain cells. The after effects of a stroke depend on the part of the brain that was damaged and the amount of damage done.

Our physiotherapists have specialized training and experience in treating clients who have sustained a stroke – from those who are bedridden or requiring a wheelchair to those who have minor impairments. Therapy is provided in the comfort of your home or in a clinic setting, whichever best suits your needs. 

When there has been damage to the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord), there can be difficulty with initiation of movement, muscle imbalance, tightness in muscles (spasticity or contractures), and impaired balance. It is important to be treated by physiotherapists who are knowledgeable about re-education of movement, working with altered muscle tone, and how to improve your balance and gait.

If you suffered a stroke, our therapists can provide you with many different treatment approaches, including: Bobath, Motor Relearning, Functional Strengthening, and modified Constraint Induced Movement Therapy. Many of our therapists also have additional training in techniques such as Myofascial Release and Kinesiotaping, which provide valuable adjuncts to hands-on treatment.

Current research shows that lack of exercise following a stroke can contribute to fatigue, reduce mobility, and actually increase the severity of disability. A strengthening and fitness program specifically tailored to your needs is an integral part of ongoing rehabilitation.

As well as Hands-on Physiotherapy treatment, we offer Individual Fitness Programs designed by either our physiotherapists or our exercise therapists who have extensive experience working with clients with special needs.

Action Potential Rehabilitation also offers an Arm and Hand Rehabilitation Program. This program provides customized exercises in a supportive group environment and specifically focuses on improving hand and arm function in post-stroke clients.

Our physiotherapists provide consultation and exercise programming for a Physiotherapy supervised Group Fitness Program for Stroke Survivors run by the Aphasia Centre of Ottawa.

Image references:

1. Stroke. (n.d.). Retrieved May 03, 2020, from https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke