My stroke/brain injury was many years ago, can therapy still help me?

The 1990’s were “The Decade of the Brain”.  In the 90’s, there was more funding for brain research than at any other time in history.  What we learned, is that there is a use it or lose it phenomenon in the brain.  We also learned that the brain is capable of changing and adapting depending on the stresses or influences placed upon it.  What this means for you, is that regardless of when your stroke or brain injury occurred, it is still possible to make changes.  But once you start to make those changes, you will have to practice, practice, practice so that you can integrate what you are learning so it can become a part of you.

If your injury was a long time ago, you will have challenges to overcome.  If muscles and other soft tissue are tight and contracted or bones have changed shape, it may impact your ultimate outcomes.  From a movement perspective, while we may be able to make a change in the way that you move during your therapy session, carry over to your life outside of therapy will depend on how and how much you practice on your own.  This is true even if your injury was a short time ago.  But if you have been compensating with your less affected side, you will have to work hard to change habits and ways of moving that have been a part of you since your injury.  It will take discipline and dedication, but it can be done.

Katie Stephens,  PT, NCS