Stroke Rehabilitation St. Catharines

Stroke Rehabilitation

At LV Physiotherapy in St. Catharines, we are a community-based private Physiotherapy clinic with experienced Neuro-Physiotherapists providing best practice rehabilitation services for Stroke Recovery within the Niagara region. Our skilled Neurological Physiotherapists thoroughly understand Neurological conditions including Strokes and the rehabilitation required for them. Our Physiotherapists utilize their expertise in neuroplasticity, motor learning and manual facilitation to assist you in achieving functional recovery.

What is a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA/ Stroke)?

A stroke occurs when blood stops flowing to part of your brain. This causes brain cell damage that cannot be repaired. The effects of your stroke will depend on the area of the brain that was damaged and the severity of that damage.
Over 400,000 Canadians are living with long-term disability from stroke. No one is ever prepared for this sudden and often catastrophic event. Recovery can be a long-term process for some people, ranging from months to years.

What is Neuroplasticity?

The brain can make up for functions lost in the damaged areas of the brain by reorganizing and rewiring itself, called “Neuroplasticity.” To make changes in your brain, you need to train it repeatedly with specific exercises and activities. Your St. Catharine’s Physiotherapist at LV Physiotherapy can help you with this. Your dedication and willingness to work toward improvement will help you to gain the most benefit from rehabilitation.

“Neuroplasticity refers to the lifelong capacity of the brain to change and rewire itself in response to the stimulation of learning and experience.” — Dr. Norman Doidge MD (Author of New York Times Bestseller “The Brain That Changes Itself”)

You’re in Good Hands

Now, the cane is no longer needed

I have been having physiotherapy at LV Physiotherapy since my stroke a couple of years ago. From the receptionists to the therapy staff, everyone I’ve been in contact with has been friendly and knowledgeable. The programs are designed for my individual needs. As my progress changes, so do my exercises….they are tweaked for my needs. I am also responsible to do as many of these routines as possible, at home between my scheduled visits. My progress seems slow to me, but it is steady. When I started I was being driven by my wife and I was using a cane. Now, the cane is no longer needed, and I arrive alone, as I have also gotten my driver’s licence back! Thank you Lisa and staff!

My balance, walking and endurance have improved

This great clinic has an amazing team of knowledgeable professional physiotherapists. Warm, caring, supportive and compassionate. It starts with Pina at the front desk She is welcoming, friendly and efficient. I’ve been coming here almost a year for physiotherapy for treatment of left side weakness after a stroke. My personal treatment includes a variety of exercises and stretches all targeting my specific weaknesses. I am learning to walk and am gaining strength in my left leg and arm. My balance, walking and endurance have improved I am stronger and closer to my goal to be able to walk a short distance without assistance. I am thankful for the excellent treatment I have received from Lisa, Dora and Mike.

What does Stroke Rehabilitation Include?

Stroke rehabilitation helps you to recover as many functional abilities as possible following a stroke. It also explores activities to keep life interesting and meaningful. Physiotherapy for a stroke helps people following a CVA to re-learn skills or to complete tasks. Rehabilitation research demonstrates that it is important for Stroke Rehabilitation to be goal-directed, focused and include novel and repetitive practice.

At LV Physiotherapy, a comprehensive assessment is completed before initiating your Stroke Rehabilitation Program to determine your problems, goals and treatment plan.

Stroke Rehabilitation will include some or all of the following:

Gait training: progressing walking by improving the quality of gait pattern, endurance or decreased level of assistance required to help you walk.
Range of Motion or Stretching exercises: your physiotherapist will use hands-on stretching techniques as well as give you the tools to continue stretching at home.
Functional Electrical Stimulation: to help activate muscles that are atrophied on the stroke-affected side.
Muscle strengthening and coordination exercises
Balance Re-training: from seated balance, standing balance or dynamic balance while walking or completing functional activities
Management of tone and spasticity
Pain management
Endurance Exercise
Functional Fitness Exercises
Patient education
Neuro-Developmental Training (NDT) Techniques

Why choose LV Physiotherapy for your Stroke Rehabilitation?

At LV Physiotherapy in St. Catharines, our Physiotherapists:

Provide one on one (1:1) physiotherapy
Use evidence-based Neurological Physiotherapy approaches, and create individual exercise therapy programs to reflect each patient’s unique needs, abilities and goals
Combine knowledge of Neuroplasticity, motor learning and skilled manual facilitation to help you achieve recovery of movement and function
Use appropriate Neurological assistive equipment as needed (including a sit-to-stand trainer, Nu-Step, parallel bars, wide Neuro plinths and more)
Do not require a doctor’s referral (but we can work closely with your family doctor, specialists or other therapy staff as needed)
Physiotherapy is covered by most extended health care plans and also qualifies as a tax-deductible medical expense
Treat in a welcoming and fun Physiotherapy clinic setting

Request an Appointment 905-682-5119

What equipment do we have at LV Physiotherapy?

Nu-Step
Wide Neuro-Plinths
Parallel Bars
Sit-to-stand Trainer
Recumbent Bike
Treadmill
Various balance equipment (foam balance beams, bosu ball, etc)
Stairs
Hoyer Lift
Large gym spaces for a variety of exercises

Contact
5-274 Fourth Ave, St. Catharines, ON L2S 0B6

(905) 682-5119
lvphysiotherapy@gmail.com

Open Hours

Mon-Thu: 8 am-7 pm
Friday: 8 am-2 pm

Request An Appointment