Physiotherapy After Stroke: What Families Should Know

Stroke rehabilitation is intensive, personalised and highly dependent on consistency. Families play a crucial role.

The early phase

In the first weeks, physiotherapy focuses on: - Preventing complications (contractures, pressure areas) - Restoring sitting and standing balance - Reactivating movement on the affected side - Beginning gait training when safe

The middle phase

As tolerance improves, sessions expand into: - Task-specific training (reaching, dressing, walking) - Strength work - Balance and coordination - Home exercise programmes

Setting realistic expectations

Recovery is highly individual. Some patients regain independence; others achieve meaningful — if partial — improvement. Physiotherapy does not cure stroke, but it can dramatically improve function and quality of life.

The most important predictors of outcome are: severity of the initial event, timing and intensity of rehabilitation, and family support.