Modern Medicine is great right? Medications, imaging, surgeries, supplements, and much more have allowed us to often live longer. However, when it comes to the world of rehab and exercise, we are still lagging behind.
The idea of “good enough” has come up often in the rehab world whether that is a patient that is being seen for falls after chemotherapy or a patient with a history of a stroke. The therapy world is often restrained by the world of insurance as well as what we may THINK is realistic for that patient.
And I get it. I was there. I had 10 other patients to treat that day.The patient had a stroke maybe 8 months ago and I thought “how much am I really going to help now?”
The problem is we don’t push ourselves hard enough to think outside the box.
Even with a weak arm or leg, that person may still want to be able to go to work.
May still want to be able to lift a gallon of milk.
Still has to function and wants to function as independently as possible.
Stroke rehab is great. It is CRUCIAL. Rehab, homehealth, Outpatient PT is crucial.
However, what happens when that stops?
The patients are often left with continued questions, concerns, and worries.
Stroke Rehab can be different with us....
Stroke Rehab here in Pittsburgh is easy to find. However, is it exactly what you want? Maybe you are someone that was a marathon runner prior to the stroke. Maybe you were working in downtown Pittsburgh. Maybe you have goals to get back to golfing, gardening, or even lifting again.
However, after traditional stroke rehab, patients are often discharged too early. The patients are left with questions and concerns. They still have goals.
That is what we do different at Power in Motion Rehab and Wellness. We treat your stroke rehab a little differently. We are able to work with you longer almost like a personal trainer (through our wellness programs). We will push you. We will encourage you. We will be there alongside you to achieve whatever goals you might have.
The stroke rehab program is geared for those that want to get back to their prior level of activity. Whether this is in person or not, we are working with you to get stronger, more independent, and work with what we are given.
Sometimes after a stroke, you might have some impairments for the rest of your life unfortunately. You might have some weakness, tone, coordination issues that affect your lifestyle or activities of daily living. And that is okay. We work with you and work with what we have.
I would never just say you are "good enough." I would never just say that since you have a little leg or arm weakness, you should stop trying. You can still try to gain strength, improve your endurance, and be as active as you want.
Stroke Rehab is important no matter how involved the stroke was...
Strokes happen to people of all backgrounds, medical histories, and even ages.
Am I going to tell a 34 year old that “you are good enough?”
HELL NO. Because I know that if I was in her shoes, I would still have goals and aspirations in regards to my fitness.
No matter how much return I might get in my legs or arms, I still want to try. I would still want a shot.
One weak side just means we have to work on that side, but even harder on the “strong” side too. Deadlifts, squats, jumping, adaptive running, etc….it is all STILL POSSIBLE.
I really focused on stroke today, but this can be with any medical diagnosis or impairment:
Poor endurance after a heart transplant
Leg weakness after a herniated disc.
Numbness and falls after chemotherapy
Poor coordination after a tumor resection.
No matter what it is. I hate the idea of being told that “that is good enough.” Don’t settle.
Health and medical journeys can be scary, frustrating, depressing, and feels like a darkness you can’t climb out of.
But you still need to climb. We both need to try. With the right team and a little bit of courage, you can do it. You can climb out of that darkness. With one good arm or two. You can do it.
If you or a loved one is interested in an person stroke rehab program in Pittsburgh or a tele-visit if not located in Pittsburgh, please reach out! You can call/text 412-790-9717 or email at kelly@powerinmotionrehab.com
We can start the programming today to see how I can help you achieve your goals. Remember that a stroke does not have to be an end. Do not settle for "good enough." Just like any other athlete, we need to keep pushing and progressing as best we can.
Thanks for stopping by today.
Appreciate you all!
Kelly
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