Stroke is one of the most common causes of death in Australia and worldwide. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018, there was an estimated 387,000 people in Australia had had a stroke at some time in their lives. There are two types of stroke: ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke. While ischaemic stroke is caused by a blockage of a blood vessel, haemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding inside the brain from the result of a broken blood vessel.
Both types of stroke cause damages to the brain. Depending on the area that is damaged and the extent of the damage, the ability to move the arms and legs and to think, speak, feel, eat or drink could be affected. Therefore, different stroke survivors would present very differently.
Due to the large difference of deficits presented in different stroke survivors and extensive debilitation associated with stroke, individualised rehabilitation plan is warranted. Here at Wellness Embodied, we are provide holistic and individualised treatments to our clients. Our experienced physiotherapists will conduct a throughout assessment on our clients, and tailor a rehabilitation plan that is most suitable to them based on the assessments.
One of the most common complications following stroke is “Shoulder subluxation”.
Shoulder subluxation has been shown to affect up to 80% of stroke survivors. The normal shoulder would be sufficiently supported by all the muscles in our shoulders. However, in stroke survivors, the hemiplegic (affected side) arm may become flaccid or hypotonic, which causes them to become unable to hold and support the weight of the arm. As the result, the head of humerus may drop down and become subluxated.
In order to minimise the risk of developing shoulder subluxation after stroke, the Australian Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management recommended using firm support devices such as a sling to support the hemiplegic arm. Electrical stimulation can also be used in the first 6 months to prevent or reduce subluxation after stroke. In order to obtain sufficient effects from the electrical stimulation, it is recommended to be applied for 4 to 6 hours per day and 7 days a week for 4 to 6 weeks or until voluntary shoulder movement is achieved. Besides that, proper education and training about correct manual handling and positioning technique should also be given to the stroke survivors and carers by a physiotherapist, so that risks of developing shoulder complications can be minimised.
For more information on our services for stroke patients, visit our website.
If you would like to discuss you or a loved ones case in further detail please call our friendly clinic staff or to book in, visit our online booking page
