Stronger After Stroke: Your Roadmap to Recovery

by Peter Levine

Overview

Written for stroke survivors, their caregivers, and loved ones, Stronger After Stroke presents a new and more effective treatment philosophy that is startling in its simplicity: stroke survivors recover by using the same learning techniques that anyone uses to master anything. Basic concepts are covered, including: Repetition of task-specific movements, Proper scheduling of practice, Challenges at each stage of recovery, Setting goals and recognizing when they have been achieved. Stronger After Stroke puts the power of recovery in your hands by providing simple to follow instructions for reaching the highest possible level of healing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781935281115
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	10/01/2008
Series:	.
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	364
Sales rank:	703,539
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Peter G Levine is a researcher, author, clinician, and instructor. Pete was a Research Associate at both the Department of PM&R University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and a consultant at the B.R.A.I.N. Laboratory, located in The Ohio State University Medical Center.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Introduction xi

Acknowledgments xv

Stroke Recovery Essentials 1

Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan 2

Say No to Plateau 4

Use Your Fantastic Plastic Brain 6

A Doctor Made for Stroke Survivors 10

Using the Wisdom of Athletes 11

The Ultimate Stroke-Recovery Drug 13

Measuring Progress 16

Recovery Hints and Tricks 21

Challenge Equals Recovery 22

Use What You Have 23

Train Well on a Treadmill 25

Mirrors Reflect Recovery 28

Stick to the Task 30

Let Recovery Flow 32

The Recovery Calendar 35

Roadmap to Recovery 38

Recovery Was So Fast Right After the Stroke-Why Did It Slow Down? 41

Tips for the Caregiver 43

Safeguarding the Recovery Investment 47

Stay Off the Killing Floor 48

Reduce the Risk of Another Stroke 51

Protect Your Bones 52

Stretch Out 54

Shoulder Care 101 59

Five Tests You Should Do 62

Cool Treatment Options 67

Constraint-Induced Therapy for the Arm and Hand 68

Get Your Hand Back 74

Imagine It! 78

Stimulate Your Stride 80

Mirror Therapy 82

Speak Musically 84

Constraint-Induced Therapy for Speech 85

You Are Game-Virtual Reality 87

Rhythm Rehab for the Arms and Hands 89

Rhythm Rehab for the Leg 91

The Good Trains the Bad-Bilateral Training 93

Shocking Subluxation 96

Elements of Exercise Essential to Recovery 99

Get a Home Exercise Program 100

Space to Recover-The Home Gym 103

Space to Focus-The Community Gym 104

Weight Up! 107

Bank Energy and Watch Your Investment Grow 110

Recovery Strategies 113

Therapy Soup-Mix and Match 114

Lifestyle as Therapy 117

Your Work Schedule 119

Living Recovery 120

Keep the Core Values Close 122

Hard but Safe 123

Eat to Recover 125

MakeHome Movies 129

Don't Neglect the Good Side 131

Guide Your Doctor 133

Spasticity Control and Elimination 137

Spasticity-The Beast Unmasked 138

Neuroplastic Beats Spastic 140

Spasticity-Jekyll and Hyde? 143

Give Spasticity the One-Two Punch 145

Motivation: The Recovery Fuel 151

Meeting the Challenge of Recovery 152

Be a Caveman 154

When Help Hurts 157

Reconsider Medications 161

Fight Fatigue 162

Walking Your Way to Better Walking 165

Recovery Machines 169

Those Amazing Machines 170

Resources 183

Glossary 187

Index 205

About the Author 216

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Alison Caruana, DO (Northwell Health)
Description: This book details almost every aspect of recovering from stroke for patients and their families, from the hospital to the home and years afterward, describing the scientific basis for brain recovery and how this affects rewiring the brain at different stages. It also provides insights into the job of therapists and the active roles patients and the families need to play in recovery. Throughout, terms are defined in ways to enable readers to understand the science behind recovery and what they can expect during therapy. Different sections discuss the stages of recovery and explain the different types of therapy.
Purpose: The purpose is to take readers through their recovery in as much detail as they (or their family) are interested in. The author wished to marry the scientific basis and research with current therapy practices in effort to help readers understand why different practices are used, how therapy will help them, and what they can expect at all stages of their recovery. These objectives are worthy, as patients and their families understandably have many questions about the process of recovery, some they may not even realize they need to ask. This book more than meets these objectives. The author not only introduces the different parts of therapy, defines terms patients and families will encounter, and explains the therapist's role and limitations, but does so in a way that is easy to understand.
Audience: The audience is stroke survivors and their families. For a physicians or students, it provides a look at what happens when they leave a patient's room or discharge the patient from the hospital. The author meets the needs of the audience by defining terms simply and providing as much detail as anyone would be interested in scientifically. The author has had experience in both clinical and research areas, but more than that, he also appears to have spent a lot time with patients and families at various stages to share anecdotal information and insights.
Features: The book starts by explaining some of the basic ideas and barriers to recovery so patients can get an idea of what to expect and play an active role in their recovery. Common terms are defined and members of the care team are introduced. The idea of neuroplasticity is emphasized and the plateau is explained, as it is a recurring idea. Next is a more technical summary of some of the techniques used in therapy, along with precautions. The book discusses the importance of aspects of recovery not directly related to therapy, including pain and basic exercise and comorbid health precautions. Next the book introduces concepts not directly related to actual therapy, including mental practicing, e-stim, and sensory training so that patients or their family members can bring them to their treatment team if they feel one will help. Options for continuing therapy after discharge from a facility are explained with the emphasis on the patients and families being proactive in addressing personal preferences and needs. The next sections describe the scientific basis behind the stages of stroke (initial insult and recovery) and why this is important for the needs in the different stages of therapy. It explains why the optimal time for therapy is during the subacute phase and how this optimizes recovery. Again, the non-physical aspects of therapy are discussed, such as music therapy and diet. The last section is a catch-all for any aspects not already addressed that also re-emphasizes some important points, such as the importance of mental health, navigating use of devices and machines. A unique feature is a summary of a number of different training devices and machines that are used for recovery. The glossary at the end is an excellent tool for patients and families to reference when they hear terms they are not familiar with. The book could have incorporated a few more images of the exercises and, especially, some of the tools and devices so patients could visualize the process of recovery better.
Assessment: This is a very strong tool for patients and families as it walks them through the stages of recovery from stroke and breaks down each term and step along the way.

Doody's Review Service

"A Selection of the American Stroke Association's 2009 Annual Summer Reading List

"The subjects covered in detail in this book are not commonly found in other consumer health books on the subject of stroke; therefore, it would make a good addition to most consumer health collections."--CAPHIS, Medical Library Association

"This is an extremely important book...It is a truly inspirational accomplishment and it will significantly improve the lives of all those who are affected by stroke. [Levine] makes the new and increasingly accepted therapeutic principle that - the mind can change the brain - come alive for the very population of people who can benefit from it most. It is a wonderful achievement!"-- Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D., Author of The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force

"Stroke survivors and their families have a fine guide to recovery in STRONGER AFTER STROKE, an excellent survey of basic concepts of the process of recovery after a stroke. From special challenges at different stages of recovery to basic concepts of setting goals and passing hurdles, STRONGER AFTER STROKE provides a powerful roadmap to recovery and is a top pick for any general-interest or health collection."" -- California Bookwatch

"At last! A stroke researcher guide that stroke survivors and their families can take home with them - Stronger after Stroke: Your Roadmap to Recovery is a stroke survivor's guide for recovery that places the stroke survivor in charge of the choices they will make towards their personal goals and growth"--Cleo Hutton, LPN, Author of After a Stroke: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier and Striking Back at Stroke: A Doctor-Patient Journal

"This book can serve as positive inspiration for patients with stroke that will face such a long and arduous journey."--Lisa Lombardo, editor ADVANCE for Physical Therapists and PT Assistants

"...researcher with the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Cincinnati presents a more effective treatment philosophy."-- ForeWord Magazine

"This inspirational volume is written specifically for stroke survivors and their caregivers. It presents an upbeat, empowering and hopeful message that urges stroke survivors not to accept the status quo of stroke rehabilitation but to expect more and be actively invested in achieving optimal outcomes. Not only do I believe this tome should be required reading for stroke survivors, I think it should be required reading for all OTs and rehabilitation professionals."-- Deborah E. Budash, MA, OTR/L, Advance for Occupational Therapy Practitioners.

dvance for Occupational Therapy Practitioners. - Deborah "Budash

"A Selection of the American Stroke Association's 2009 Annual Summer Reading List"The subjects covered in detail in this book are not commonly found in other consumer health books on the subject of stroke; therefore, it would make a good addition to most consumer health collections."—CAPHIS, Medical Library Association"This is an extremely important book...It is a truly inspirational accomplishment and it will significantly improve the lives of all those who are affected by stroke. [Levine] makes the new and increasingly accepted therapeutic principle that - the mind can change the brain - come alive for the very population of people who can benefit from it most. It is a wonderful achievement!"— Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D., Author of The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force"Stroke survivors and their families have a fine guide to recovery in STRONGER AFTER STROKE, an excellent survey of basic concepts of the process of recovery after a stroke. From special challenges at different stages of recovery to basic concepts of setting goals and passing hurdles, STRONGER AFTER STROKE provides a powerful roadmap to recovery and is a top pick for any general-interest or health collection." — California Bookwatch"At last! A stroke researcher guide that stroke survivors and their families can take home with them - Stronger after Stroke: Your Roadmap to Recovery is a stroke survivor's guide for recovery that places the stroke survivor in charge of the choices they will make towards their personal goals and growth"—Cleo Hutton, LPN, Author of After a Stroke: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier and Striking Back at Stroke: A Doctor-Patient Journal"This book can serve as positive inspiration for patients with stroke that will face such a long and arduous journey."—Lisa Lombardo, editor ADVANCE for Physical Therapists and PT Assistants"...researcher with the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Cincinnati presents a more effective treatment philosophy."— ForeWord Magazine"This inspirational volume is written specifically for stroke survivors and their caregivers. It presents an upbeat, empowering and hopeful message that urges stroke survivors not to accept the status quo of stroke rehabilitation but to expect more and be actively invested in achieving optimal outcomes. Not only do I believe this tome should be required reading for stroke survivors, I think it should be required reading for all OTs and rehabilitation professionals."— Deborah E. Budash, MA, OTR/L, Advance for Occupational Therapy Practitioners.

dvance for Occupational Therapy Practitioners. - Deborah Budash