Post-Stroke Exercise Videos
Why Rehabilitation?
Common physical effects of stroke are muscle weakness and less control of an affected arm or leg. Survivors often work with therapists to restore strength and control through exercise programs. They also learn skills to deal with the loss of certain body movements.
Rehabilitation is an important step during a stroke survivor’s road to recovery and these exercises can serve as a general guide. Please speak with your health care professional and/or physical therapist before performing any of these exercises.
Rehabilitation is an important step during a stroke survivor’s road to recovery and these exercises can serve as a general guide. Please speak with your health care professional and/or physical therapist before performing any of these exercises.
Adam Engel, PT, DPT
Adam has been a physical therapist for over 10 years, working at Waldron’s Peak Physical Therapy, a small private practice in Boulder, Colorado. His passion for providing excellent, compassionate patient-centered care to people with all types of injuries and health conditions keeps him energized for every patient interaction.Getting Up from a Fall
Stroke survivors are at high risk for falls; up to 73% experience a fall in the first six months after being discharged home. Follow these recommended steps for safely getting from the floor onto a chair.
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Shoulder, Arm and Hand Exercise Videos
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Crumbling a Piece of Paper | This exercise is great for the muscles in your shoulder. It also works on the fine motor skills of your hand. Use both hands equally.
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Resisted Supine Diagonal Shoulder Flexion | This exercise will help you strengthen the shoulder muscles, as well as the muscles that straighten the elbow. Repeat this exercise until muscles in the shoulder become fatigued, likely 10-12 times.
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Shoulder Horizontal Range of Motion | This exercise is great for maintaining the range of motion of the shoulder and facilitating rolling over in bed. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times and limit the range of motion if the exercise becomes painful.
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Shoulder Range of Motion | This exercise will help you enhance shoulder motion and possibly prevent shoulder pain. Do not push through pain in this range of motion. Repeat this exercise 20-25 times. You should notice that each time you go back, you are able to go further after each repetition.
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Sitting Trunk Rotations This exercise will help you reduce stiffness in the trunk and promote the body rotation needed for walking. It will facilitate balance and walking control. Repeat this exercise 8-10 times on each side. This exercise requires a great deal of sitting balance. If you need help, ask for assistance.
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Sitting Weight Bearing Elbow Flexion and Extension | This exercise will help you strengthen the muscles of your shoulder and straighten the elbow. This exercise is necessary for getting up from a lying position. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times or until the muscles in your arm become fatigued. Only perform this exercise if your shoulder is stable and fully recovered from a stroke.
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Supine Elbow Flexion/Extension | This exercise will help you strengthen the muscles that straighten the elbow. Repeat this exercise 20-25 times.
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Supine Shoulder Flexion Active Range of Motion (AROM) | This exercise will help you strengthen the muscles that stabilize the shoulder. Repeat this exercise until the muscles in the shoulder become fatigued.
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Supported Reaching and Grasping | This is a great exercise for the muscles of your shoulder, elbow and wrist. This is also a great exercise if you are having difficulties with reaching for things. Repeat this exercise 20 times or until the muscles of your arm become fatigued.
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Bridge Weight Shifts | This exercise will help you improve balance, weight shift, and control for proper walking technique. Repeat this exercise until you can no longer maintain a leveled pelvis or until the muscles in your legs become fatigued.
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Calf Stretch | This exercise is great for maintaining ankle mobility, which is needed for walking. Don’t push through pain. Hold for as long as you can, working up to one minute. Perform this exercise on both sides.
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Mini Lunge | This exercise is great for strengthening the muscles of your hip, leg and core. It also facilitates proper weight shifting and controls overbalance. Repeat this exercise 8-10 times on each side.
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Side-Lying Knee Flexion | This exercise will help you improve control of knee motions for walking. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times or until your hips can no longer stay leveled.
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Side Laying Hip Flexion with Affected Leg on Top | This exercise will help you improve motion at the hip and knee, simulating the movements needed for walking. This exercise can be useful when moving toward the edge of the bed before coming to a sitting position. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times or until your leg muscles become fatigued.
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Single-Leg Mini Squats with Support | This exercise is great for stimulation of proper weight shifts and knee control necessary for walking. It is great for strengthening your leg muscles. Repeat this exercise 8-10 times or until the muscles in your leg become fatigued.
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Small Step-Ups with Support | This is a great exercise to strengthen the muscles of your hips, thighs and legs. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times on each side or until the muscles of your legs become fatigued.
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Standing Hip Abduction with Support |This exercise strengthens the muscles of your hip and leg. It also works on weight shifts for better control during walking. Repeat this exercise 10-12 times on each side.
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Supine Heal Slides | This exercise will help you enhance hip and knee control in preparation for walking. Repeat this exercise 20-25 times or until your leg muscles become fatigued.
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Supine Knees Side to Side (Trunk Rotation) | This exercise will help you promote motion in the pelvis, hip, and knee. It also reduces stiffness in your spine and can help assist with rolling over in bed. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times.
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Supine Leg Crossing | This exercise will help you improve hip control in preparation for walking activities. Stop this exercise when you are no longer able to cross the midline or your leg muscles become fatigued.
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Supported Mini Squats |This is a great exercise to help with strengthening your legs to help with walking, endurance, and rising up from a seated position. Perform this exercise 15-20 times.
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Dynamic Weight Shifts | This is a great exercise to work on weight shifting, balance and core control. Repeat this exercise 20-30 times.
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Quadruped Weight Shifts – All Directions | This exercise will help you improve balance, weight shift and control to prepare for walking activities. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times on each side.
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Single Leg Stance | This is a difficult balance exercise. Hold position for 30-60 seconds and repeat this exercise on both sides. Add difficulty by closing your eyes.
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Sit to Stand | This exercise is great for strengthening the muscles in your legs and is vital for getting up from a seated position. Equal distribution of weight on both legs is very important. Repeat this exercise 15-20 times.
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Staggered Stance | This is a balance exercise. Hold position for 30-60 seconds and repeat this exercise on both sides. Add difficulty by closing your eyes.
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Standing – Feet Together, Eyes Open/Closed | This is a beginning balance exercise. Hold still for 30-60 seconds. Add difficulty by closing your eyes. Perform this exercise next to a counter or in a narrow hallway in case you must catch yourself from falling.
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Swiss Ball Weight Shifts | This is a great exercise in preparation for sitting to stand. It also works on spinal stiffness and rotations. Focus on weight shifting and extending your arm as far as you can. Repeat this exercise 8-10 times on each side.