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Rehabilitation of StrokeStroke often leaves people with devastating consequences: paralysis or weakness, impaired cognitive function and inability to communicate, impaired bowel and bladder control, impaired activities of daily living and independence. Once stroke is complete, efforts should be directed to rehabilitation. In early stages, it is greatly important to prevent secondary complications and restore function. The CNI and Swedish Neurorehabilitation Team, led by Dr. Elena Draznin, combines traditional rehabilitation techniques along with new approaches to maximize rehabilitation. At all stages of recovery, our approach to stroke rehabilitation is focused on restoring function.
Traditional rehabilitation theories suggest that the maximum neurological recovery occurs in the first three to six months after the stroke. The boundaries for maximum functional recovery have not yet been fully explored. CNI’s NeuroRehabilitation Team utilizes the following approaches to maximize stroke recovery: Acute Stroke TreatmentSwedish Medical Center has an acute stroke treatment team that, in the very early hours and days after the stroke, begins working with the patient and family, providing early treatment and family education. Inpatient Rehab
Outpatient RehabFor those who do not need admission to the inpatient rehabilitation program, a similar outpatient day treatment program with a strong emphasis on return to work and community is available. In addition to the structured program, various rehab services such as rehab nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychology are also available. New Approaches to RehabilitationIn addition to traditional methods, we use constraint-induced therapy, biofeedback and muscle stimulation techniques and botox injections. We also provide low vision rehabilitation, driving assessment and rehab of bowel and bladder function. We emphasize the importance of alternative medicine. While clinical research is limited in this area, we advocate -- only on an individual basis -- tai chi for balance and strength, acupuncture for relaxation and tone control, and other modalities. Support groupsSupport groups for stroke survivors and caregivers are also available through the CNI Stroke Program. To obtain more information about the CNI/Swedish Stroke Rehabilitation program, please call (303) 788-4227. |
Most of the stroke survivors require an interdisciplinary
inpatient rehabilitation program in order to return home. The rehabilitation
team is led by a physiatrist (a physician who specializes in neurorehabilitation).
The team consists of a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech
pathologist, a psychologist and a rehabilitation nurse. Working on recovery and
preventing future strokes becomes an emphasis of inpatient rehabilitation.