Rehabilitation and Alternative Therapies for Stroke Recovery Patients
Enhance your stroke recovery with holistic therapies at our specialized stroke clinic in Singapore, led by Dr. Manish Taneja, our stroke specialist at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic. Experience the benefits of music, pet, gardening, and art therapies to improve your physical and emotional well-being. Schedule your personalized stroke treatment and therapy plan today.
Introduction to Rehabilitation and Complementary Alternative Therapies for Stroke Recovery
There are many therapies that are used to treat stroke patients. Each patient has different needs. A stroke can affect certain areas of the brain such as the left or ride side, or even the brain steam. (Read more about right side stroke and left side stroke).
Physical therapies to help regain muscle control and speech are common. New directions in therapies are always explored. This includes cellular therapies and drugs.
There are many non-traditional therapies that are used along with the traditional medical methods. Non-invasive and non-traditional therapies include:
- Music therapy
- Pet Therapy
- Art
- Gardening
- Laughter as the best medicine
Musical Therapy
The healing power of music is universal. Several studies have shown that stroke victims who listen to music experience stimulation along with structural changes in sections of the brain. Strokes that hit the left side of the brain usually result in paralysis on the right side of the body and affect speech. Most stroke patients experience this nonfluent aphasia, a problem with speaking. Therapy has shown that aphasia patients can sing lyrics better than speak words! This resulted in the development of melodic intonation therapy (MIT).
Melodic intonation therapy involves a simple musical phrase, rhythmic hand-clapping, and foot movements, whenever possible. The patient sings a simple, familiar phrase. Changes in brain waves often result from this unique treatment. Patients continue to improve while they enjoy music. Many learn how to regain muscle control to play instruments.
The Aphasia Choir of Vermont in the US is an example of stroke and brain injury survivors who perform annually. This choir is a community of stroke and brain injury individuals who offer each other mutual support during their recovery process.
Pet Therapy
Pet aids are common for stroke victims. According to many studies, pet owners live longer and recover from strokes and heart attacks faster than people who do not have pets. Dogs and cats offer unconditional love. People with some paralysis recover motor control by stroking their pets. There are special emotional support dogs trained to work with stroke patients.
Pet therapy (animal-assissed therapy) can help people relax and reduce anxiety. They also help with loneliness and depression, while they encourage mobility.
Many stroke patients have found that riding a horse has helped them recover leg muscles, balance, and cognition on horses trained to work with disabled riders. This is equine therapy that has helped many people. A recent study in Sweden proved how horseback riding and music therapy combined to helped stroke patients.
Art Therapy
This is a major form of self-expression as well as a means of physical therapy. Visual art involves muscle movement and improves motor skills. Art therapy targets the right hemispheres of the brain responsible for visual information, color identification, and images. The left hemisphere is also used in processing information along with verbal skills.
There is an art therapy webinar available through the American Heart Association to help stroke survivors with their artwork. The program was developed by a professional scenic artist aware of the importance of art therapy for stroke victims.
Gardening (Horticultural Therapy)
Tending a garden is good for overall health. Stroke patients can take advantage of gardening to increase motor skills. They can garden with pots and even houseplants. The activity is usually relaxing and offers exposure to nature and green spaces. Gardening is also considered a treatment for the depression and anxiety that follows a stroke.
Laughter for Therapy
The Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) after a stroke can cause uncontrollable laughter or crying. This is a neurological condition that occurs in some stroke victims. However, real laughter is a way of relaxing as well as using muscles affected by a stroke. Laughter relieves anxiety and creates a better environment for recovery.
Frequent Stroke Checkups in Singapore
All stroke patients should have frequent checkups and continue with their therapies. Take the next step in your stroke recovery journey and schedule a consultation with stroke specialist, Dr. Manish Taneja, at our Singapore clinic and discover how holistic therapies can enhance your well-being. Contact us at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic for tests and evaluations of your unique condition. We can assist you with stroke prevention and management.
Consult a Stroke Specialist in Singapore
Dr. Manish Taneja, is an expert in endovascular and image guided neurointerventional procedures of brain and spine. He has special interest in treatment of brain aneurysms, stroke and vascular malformations. Come in for a further evaluation and arrange an appointment today with our stroke specialist.
Stroke Resources
Stroke In Younger Adults: What You Need to Know
You are never too young to have a stroke. As such, it is important to know what to look out for and how your lifestyle increases your risk of having a stroke.
We've Got You Covered for Specialized Stroke Screening, Prevention, and Management
Imagine heart attacks where the blood flow to your heart is blocked. Similarly, a stroke occurs when the blood flow to your brain is interrupted becoming a "brain attack". When blood supply does not reach a certain part, brain cells begin to die. Different types of stroke include ischemic strokes (blockage of blood vessel due to blood clot) or a mini stroke, a TIA (transient ischemic attack), with no permanent damage yet serious. Stroke also occurs when a blood vessel in the brain pops causing bleeding in the brain.
When a stroke occurs, the symptoms of stroke depend on how blood flow to the brain is affected. Individuals at high risk and even higher risk (family history) often have high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, or another risk factor for stroke, all of which increase the risk of stroke. Disrupted blood flow can even damage the blood vessel in the brain and affect one side of the body. Having a stroke doesn’t mean it has to lead to permanent disabilities. Recognizing early warning signs is essential to reduce the risk, and in some cases, procedures such as carotid endarterectomy may help increase the blood vessel in the brain and restore healthy circulation.
Certain areas of the brain can be affected by stroke and some symptoms of a stroke including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood sugar levels increase the risk of stroke whereas an active lifestyle or controlling high cholesterol reduces the risk. How well do you know stroke? Find tips to prevent and manage stroke, the differences in stroke screening tests, and the newer technology and treatments available. Come in for an easy consultation and further evaluation with our stroke specialist in Singapore at the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic.
Supreme Vascular and Interventional Stroke Programs
Brain Aneurysm Resources
Explore our brain aneurysm resources. Understanding a brain aneurysm often involves learning across several areas.
Put Brain Aneurysm on Your Health Radar
Did you experience the worst headache of your life? Thoughts could be racing through your mind. A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that can change over time. The key concern is when an aneurysm ruptures, which can disrupt blood flow, affect brain tissue, and lead to serious brain damage. Controllable conditions like high blood pressure can increase this risk and treatment options can depend on the condition. Surgical clipping is one option that prevents blood from entering the weakened area. In many cases, minimally invasive treatments can also be used to restore normal blood flow and reduce risk. We have created structured guides to help you explore each stage in more detail:
A simple (computed tomography) CT scan could be just what the doctor ordered and the first step in early detection and prevention of a brain aneurysm. Come in for an easy consultation with our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore to be on your health radar.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various neurological conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our neurointervention specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.