New Delhi: Stroke remains a leading cause of disability in India, affecting millions and placing a significant strain on families and healthcare systems. Early physiotherapy after a stroke plays a crucial role in helping patients regain independence, minimising complications, and improving long-term recovery outcomes. For patients, starting physiotherapy within 24 to 48 hours post-stroke can profoundly influence brain healing and functional restoration.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Dharam P. Pandey, Director & HOD, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, HCMCT Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, Delhi, explained why physiotherapy is a must for stroke rehabilitation.
Why Early Physiotherapy Matters
The brain has the remarkable ability to reorganise itself after injury, a phenomenon called neuroplasticity. Early movement and therapy stimulate neuroplasticity by encouraging the brain to form new neural pathways, essential for recovering lost motor functions. This early window maximises the brain’s adaptability, providing the strongest foundation for motor recovery. Inactivity immediately following a stroke can lead to serious complications, some of which are preventable with early physiotherapy:
- Muscle stiffness and contractures: Immobilised muscles can become stiff, and joints may lock, impairing future movements.
- Blood clots: Lack of movement increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to poor circulation.
- Other risks: Prolonged bed rest raises the chances of bedsores, weakened lungs, and infections.
Physical and Functional Benefits
Physiotherapy focuses on restoring strength and mobility in affected limbs, helping patients perform everyday tasks like walking, dressing, and even speaking. Balance training enhances stability and reduces fall risk, a major concern among recovering stroke patients. Such improvements lead to greater confidence and independence, easing the burden on caregivers and improving quality of life.
Advanced techniques, such as robotic-assisted therapy and virtual reality simulations, are increasingly used in rehabilitation centers to deliver personalised, repetitive, and precise interventions. These technologies speed up recovery and motivate patients by making therapy engaging.
Ideal Timing and Approach
Clinical research from Indian and international studies consistently shows that physiotherapy should begin as early as the patient is medically stable—typically within the first two days. Early rehabilitation includes gentle passive range-of-motion exercises, sitting up, standing, and short walks based on tolerance levels. Multidisciplinary teams of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, and social workers collaborate to create individualised recovery plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Family and caregiver involvement is a vital part of early physiotherapy. Educating them on assisting patients and creating a supportive home environment can accelerate rehabilitation and reduce hospital readmissions.
The Indian Context
India faces peculiar challenges related to stroke recovery, such as restricted access to specialised rehabilitation in rural areas. Nonetheless, early rehabilitation rates are rising as a result of growing clinician awareness and the expansion of stroke units in tertiary hospitals. Physiotherapy powered by technology and community outreach initiatives helps close the gap between urban and rural areas. To lessen disability and improve patient outcomes, public health campaigns stress the importance of early intervention and thorough post-stroke care.
To sum up, early physical therapy after a stroke is not only beneficial but also essential to maximise recovery. Healthcare professionals can greatly enhance functional outcomes, lower secondary complications, and enable stroke survivors to regain their independence and quality of life by starting therapy as soon as possible—ideally within the first few days.