What is neuroplasticity and how does it help stroke recovery? OT Answers
Hi, I’m Elyse, and Occupational Therapist and Certified Stroke Rehab Specialist, and today I’m going to answer your questions about neuroplasticity and stroke recovery.
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Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
00:09 What is neuroplasticity?
00:45 Why does the brain have heightened neuroplasticity after a stroke?
02:07 Does neuroplasticity have an expiration date?
02:52 Is neuroplasticity still happening years after a stroke?
04:12 How can I use neuroplasticity for maximum recovery?
07:12 How many reps does it take for neuroplastic changes to happen?
08:21 What exercises should I do to promote neuroplastic changes?
09:11 Are there any supplements or medicines to promote neuroplasticity?
10:55 Outro
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Medical Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a physician or qualified healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise or therapy regimen.
No I wasn't told about neuroplasticity by my therapist. I found it by accident. Lying in bed completely paralyzed I attempted to move my right arm till it moved. Even after 7 years still making gains..just retired my wheelchair
neuroplasticity doses work. I can put my affected hand behind my back and raise it a little. My lips go around a coffee cup tightly. No more dribbles. My affected arm can drive better. I am making progress. It takes a lot of time and a lot of work. BUT IN THE LONG RUN IT IS WORTH IT.
Hi Elyse, Thank you for the work you do. I am a stroke survivor who lost all feeling and function in my left side when I was 30. This happened in the early 1990's when neuroplasticty wasn't integrated into the science of rehab nor was it known in popular culture as it is today. I had no roadmap to recovery other than what standard rehab offered me. Despite the fact that I was told by my doctors that I'd never be able to effectively use my left arm again and I'd have to use a brace and a cane if I learned how to walk again - I have made a nearly full recovery. I have full range of motion and only a few "glitches" left in my walk if I'm tired. I've just finished a book about my journey to recovery but rather than get into too many details I'd like to offer a few suggestions to you from a stroke survivor's perspective - in other words, from the lived experience of being in a stroke-affected body. 1. Look at your own gestures in your video. They are natural and flowing as they should be for a person without neurological impairment. THIS is what is forgotten by the body after stroke - ease, effortlessness and flow. When therapists and doctors emphasize "intensity", "strengthening" and "many repetitions" they continue to communicate the idea that you have to try harder with more effort in order regain your function. I found the opposite to be true. I used my non-affected side to retrain my affected side before I knew about neoroplasticity when I realized I needed to "remember" Natural Movement. 2. I suggest replacing "intensity" with "focus". "Intensity" and "strengthening" increases spasticity which decreases function. My OT could not help me regain full range of motion because she insisted on emphasizing "strengthening" and repetition despite my frustration with getting more and more tone after my stroke when I put full "effort" into the prescribed exercises. 3. Subtlety, nuance and release of contraction are key to overcoming spasticity. These are not focused on in standard rehab. Again. Look at your own movements. Now tighten your muscles into a contraction and do repetitions with "intensity". You'll quickly see that this simply creates more spasticity. 4. I continue to make gains years after my stroke. The timetable that is told to stroke survivors- that most gains occur between 3 months to a year- can be very discouraging to people and can dampen motivation. I've learned that with focus, emphasis on ease and flow and proper positioning of the body - gains can be made decades after stroke. To the stroke survivors out there...never give up hope. You CAN keep getting better. Observe your non-affected side and try to imitate it with your affected side. Don't try HARD. Use the least amount of effort to get the job done. Remember, you're trying to get back to Natural Movement not the robotic, stiffness that over-efforting induces. Wishing you all well!
Thanks for sharing
I always love your videos! This is a really great discussion of neuroplasticity. I had my stroke during Covid, which impacted my ability to get therapy. I am happy to say though even at the 3 year mark I am still making gains. Not as quickly, but I have to focus less on when it happens and more on the fact it is still happening. When I was in rehab, I was told all about neuroplastic today and how it was going to impact my recovery. It was so encouraging to know that our bodies want to make those new pathways to reconnect to the abilities we’ve lost. As a side note. We are all human and can get discouraged. Just start back even if it’s been awhile. It may not be a full recovery but any improvement is a blessing.
Thank you always for your videos! I had a hemorrhagic infarct in May 2023 and a wake up basal ganglia stroke 21 Dec 2023. I've home from rehab for a month now and researched neuroplasticity in rehab. I saw my Neurologist today for the first time and believes I saved myself because of my figurine making and craft hobbies that already created additional pathways to help. She could not believe I am walking with a quad and have the movement (as little as it is) that I do have. She expected to see me in a stretcher or worse. Your videos help me each and every day. Thank you
That’s amazing!! I’m glad you’re doing so well and that you’ve found my videos helpful ☺️❤️
Brilliant Stuff Elyse, education is paramount and one of the reasons I started StrokeInformation
As a spinal injury patient I have many of the same symptoms as a stroke patient and find your videos very informative and helpful Thankyou so much!
I don't recall being told about that, but I knew that doing the movements in the affected side by using the unaffected made a difference in my gradul recovery, matter of fact, just came home from rehab this week!! Working thru getting home health care (not having insurance sent me back to hospital and ANOTHER rehab.). Just got back to the walking on my rollator, and getting used to going up/down stairs, with husband's help. I love the videos, and I gain much knowledge about what happened to me. Keep it up!!!!
Thank you for posting such amazing and informative content!
Thank you for these videos. I love how you said we take the scenic route to get there. For me, that is soooo accurate. I'm year out myself. Might be to this day actually. I feel like my biggest improvement has been in just a couple of months. Been in survival mode for ever, but pushing myself way to hard to be the person I was. It took really knowing ill not be the person I was before, but to slow my mind down and be the new me to start feeling better. When it comes to brain health and stroke recovery it's all about triggering dopamine! In healthy ways of course.
No, is my first time to hear about it thanks to you, I am really Learning a lot from you and thank you so much ❤
There is no expiration date. I had absolutely no improvements during the first 18 months, but between 24 and 36 months nearly all muscles came back. I still have problems with my hand function, but I'm optimistic to make a full recovery.
That is great news!!! I am 18 months in and hoping for more recovery.
@@barbaracordova5772 Just do your exercises and put in the work outside your therapies. Home therapy is best.
Very intelligent explanation and clarify some issues and question. Im a stroke survivor this explanation help me more positive understanding on my situation.thanks Ms Elyse you are an angle for those survivors like me
Thanks
Of course!
Someone please advise. This is encouraging as I had a full stroke this Wednesday. It was scary One of my fears were that I wouldnt be able to play the guitar again that I have studied for 46 years. I went to play it and couldn't do the basic chords
Is there a way to purchase the "Post Stroke" mug?
Cacao (chocolate) and lions mane mushroom may help to build neuroplasticity
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Remember how to rebuild a pool pump motor. that took about a year. still a hard time talking
hope you getting better