Sunday, November 27, 2011

Bedtime stroke therapy #2

Started something new last night, When I was still getting OT my therapist gave me this to try to counteract my spasticity. Clasp my hands together and put them behind my neck while lying on my back, trying to let my left arm down until it reaches the bed. It starts out at 45 degrees and maybe 15 minutes later has drifted down about 3 inches. While waiting I wiggle the left arm up and down to prove that I can control it. I'm hoping that this eventually will allow me to hold a phone to my ear with my left hand. I know its stupid but we have to do these stupid ideas because no one has written up case studies or come up with protocols that work for those of us that still have deficits after the spontaneous recovery.
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5 comments:

  1. Barb PolanNovember 28, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    It's not stupid, Dean - I did something similar during the night myself. One of my sister-in-laws massaged the spasticity right out of my hand on Thanksgiving and it's still relaxed enough that I can clasp my hands palms together, although my thumb is not cooperating. Hurray for Sylvia.

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  2. Rebecca DuttonNovember 28, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Therapists teach stroke survivors to stretch their hemiplegic arm while sitting. I had to have a stroke to learn that doing it on my back is the only way to go. Gravity assists rather than resists.

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  3. Barb PolanNovember 28, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    It's odd, Dean, because I commented on this entry first thing this morning and now the comment is gone.

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  4. oc1deanNovember 28, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    But Barb, I have to approve all comments before they show up and I didn't get to them until this afternoon.

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  5. Barb PolanNovember 28, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    I wasn't complaining that you were slow - I have just not experienced the delay before. Sorry to be so "stroke-addled," as you call it.

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