Using Botox related drugs to treat spasticity in stroke patients is becoming more widespread since their FDA approval in 2016. Strokemark has reported on several recent studies which tested this treatment. But what is it really like for someone going through it? Just a few weeks ago, I had the chance to talk with someone…
Imagine… your life partner, your best friend, your go-to person suddenly can’t do the things that you two used to enjoy. In fact, she can’t do a lot of things she used to do just to get through the day. That’s what it can feel like when your spouse suffers a stroke. You can feel…
Brian is a certified welder/ boilermaker and works for a railroad company rebuilding and maintaining steam locomotives. When he describes his responsibilities at work, it is not a light load. They range from engine restorer, steam mechanic, fireman, to one day soon becoming an engineer. This is a job that the 6 foot, 200 pound,…
Leslie just got great news. Her daughter called after her 12-week prenatal appointment. Everything looked great. Leslie was so relieved and excited. She was going to be a grandmother and couldn’t wait to start spreading the news. Leslie is a yoga instructor, specializing in prenatal yoga, and a doula, so keeping this quiet until her…
Fitness trainer, author, blogger, motivational speaker, YouTuber… who is this guy and what can he tell you about stroke? Meet Richard. And actually, he can tell you a lot about stroke because he’s been through it first-hand. He knows how difficult it is to recover, but he also knows that the blood, sweat, and tears…
We all know how important exercise is for our health. But actually walking the walk can be difficult. This can’t be truer for stroke survivors. When you’re living with limited function, it’s hard to get out there and exercise. Unfortunately, stroke survivors are probably the ones who need regular exercise the most. How can we…
A hot topic in our world today is the importance of mindfulness and mental health. We usually think of these methods as helpful ways to prevent disease. But, what if it can help the sick too? A woman who couldn’t speak Catherine is 60-year-old, African-American woman had survived a left-hemisphere stroke 14 years ago that…
It is very well known that the extent and the time of stroke recovery are variable. However, there is a common misconception in stroke rehabilitation that there is a six-month window for recovery. That’s because, within this time, most of the recovery happens, aided by the body’s natural healing process. Beyond this time, it is…
Most of the time, recovery years after a stroke is rare. The prognosis at that point is poor, and most people accept that their deficits are permanent. One man, however, was able to achieve the unthinkable. He was able to improve his function and activity despite suffering severe weakness in half his body. How did…