What is a Stroke?

A stroke is a specific type of vascular-traumatic brain injury that can be treated at Synapse: Human Performance Centers. Typically, blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain, but when a stroke occurs, the brain is left for a period without any blood to nurture the brain. Consequently, nerve cells can die resulting in different kinds of functional deficits.

Symptoms of a stroke often include muscle weakness, instability walking, balance issues, dizziness, difficulty with speech, numbness, difficulty with movement of extremities, tremors, vision deficits, bowel movement issues, cognitive deficits, and more.

Rehabbing from a Stroke

Stroke rehab begins when you see a Doctor with specialized training in assessing and treating functional deficiencies. Getting a proper assessment will show the level of care needed to start the re-learning process of functional activities for the brain.

The disability someone experiences and the rehabilitation required depend on the size of the brain injury and the specific areas damaged from the stroke. The brain can re-wire its circuits after a stroke, fostering improved function over months or years. While strokes are considered brain injuries, it is important to note that a brain injury is specific to the individual who has experienced it.

To learn what the appropriate treatment and length of care are for you, you can easily schedule a consultation with the Synapse: Human Performance Centers doctors. Individualized care will provide the best outcome for patient success.

Non-Invasive Therapies

Prompt treatment and neurological rehabilitation optimize the chances of recovery. Timely action can help reduce brain damage that impacts speech, muscle movement, etc. Some patients regain normal body function within days, but recovery can be a healing journey for some. No matter how long recovery takes, it is a process. Rehabilitation cannot reverse brain damage, but it can help a stroke survivor achieve a more favorable long-term outcome to improve quality of life.

At Synapse: Human Performance Centers, professionals work one-on-one with patients using all-encompassing rehabilitation strategies to test balance, eye-hand coordination, and more. Technology and equipment offer physical recovery options to help rehabilitate someone who has suffered from a stroke. Some of the recovery therapies at Synapse: Human Performance Centers include:

  • somatosensory evoked potentials
  • mirror therapy
  • gaiting belts
  • transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
  • interactive metronome
  • endless rope

The most critical aspect of neurorehabilitation is direct, focused, repetitive practice. Research using advanced imaging technology shows that functions previously located in areas of damage move to other brain regions. Training and practice help drive this re-wiring of brain circuits (called neuroplasticity) and teach new means to make up for any remaining disabilities.

Neurological rehabilitation allows patients to re-learn skills and retrain healthy brain cells to control the affected body parts. Non-invasive forms of neurological rehabilitation and treatments, like TMS, are highly recommended for stroke recovery.

Stroke Warning Signs

How can you determine if someone is having a stroke? The five warning signs include numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs (especially on one side of the body), confusion when speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, dizziness or loss of balance, and a severe headache.

Synapse: Human Performance Centers offers customizable solutions for anyone who may have suffered from a stroke. Call us today at 214.902.3400 or email us at info@synapsehpc.com for more information.