Simple Stroke Recovery Exercises & Therapy You Can Do At Home

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Are you recovering from a stroke at home? Staying home doesn’t have to mean a standstill in your rehabilitation progress! There are plenty of activities you can do in your home to maintain and continue your recovery after inpatient stroke rehabilitation care.

Occupational Therapy Exercises for Stroke Patients

Incorporating your affected arm into functional tasks is so important! Use your affected arm for as many daily tasks as you can, in any way you can. Here are some examples of occupational therapy exercises to engage your arm or hand with in everyday activities.

  • Self-feeding (try finger foods if you can’t manage utensils yet)
  • Turning a doorknob
  • Opening a cabinet or drawer
  • Turning the faucet on and off
  • Picking items up from the floor or a table
  • Folding laundry
  • Applying toothpaste to a toothbrush
  • Wiping down a countertop, table, or window

The list is endless!

Physical Therapy Exercise-Based Activities

If you’re looking for more exercise-based activities, there are many household objects you can use in place of gym equipment to continue your physical therapy at home.

  • Canned goods and water bottles can serve as light dumbbells.
  • Need something a little heavier? When you’re finished with a jug of milk or juice, refill it with water! A full jug will weigh around 8.5 pounds, but you can control the weight by how much fill it.
  • Roll up a pair of thick socks to squeeze it to improve your grip strength.
  • Use tweezers or clothespins to strengthen your fingers.
  • Twist a towel/washcloth (as if wringing it out) to strengthen your forearm.
  • Use a hammer or a rubber mallet and lift your wrist up and down to improve your wrist mobility and grip strength.
  • Slide a towel front to back and in circles on a tabletop to stretch and strengthen your arm or complete up and down motions on a wall for more of a challenge.

Looking for activities to challenge your coordination after a stroke? Try these below.

  • Practice your handwriting
  • Cutting with scissors
  • Picking up coins
  • Buttoning
  • Counting out or shuffling cards

Be creative, and most importantly, keep that arm engaged!

Are you looking for cognitive brain exercises that help with stroke recovery? Check out this article!

If you or a loved one has suffered a stroke and are seeking physical rehab, Sheltering Arms Institute offers a well-rounded, effective care experience. Fill out our contact form or call (804) 764-1000 to schedule an appointment or learn more.

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