The Power of Intensive Neurological Physiotherapy

In the days following his father's discharge from the hospital, Irfan faced a reality that no one is ever truly prepared for. His father had suffered a Total Anterior Circulation Stroke (TACS), and the outlook was bleak. The doctors couldn't dissolve the clot, and the entire right side of his brain was damaged. When he came home, he couldn't sit or stand. He had to be hoisted and was now incontinent.

Refusing to accept this grim prognosis, Irfan sought the best possible care for his father. He found a team of specialist neurological physiotherapists who began working with him intensively. They started with three sessions per week, soon increasing to four. Over just three months, the transformation was nothing short of miraculous. His father, who had once been immobile, was now able to sit and stand. He could be transferred to a commode and, with the help of a walking stick and the guidance of one person, he could take steps.

Reflecting on this journey, Irfan was impressed at the progress his father had made. The intensive therapy sessions ensured consistent exercise, and without them, his father would not have achieved such significant milestones. "Definitely not," he said emphatically when asked if once-a-week therapy would have sufficed. "With therapy, especially in the early stages of stroke, it has to be intensive as this is when you see the most improvement."

Irfan’s decision to pursue this intensive approach was driven by extensive research. He had read numerous studies from around the world and discovered that in some countries, intensive physiotherapy from the very first day of a stroke led to far better outcomes than what was typically seen in the UK. The NHS, despite its many strengths, simply couldn't provide the level of therapy required to achieve these results. He was determined to give his father the best chance possible, and knew that an intensive therapy approach was the key.

With a wealth of experience now behind him, Irfan has valuable advice for others in similar situations. "Post-stroke, it is vital that an intensive therapy approach is used. This is when the brain has maximum neuroplasticity,"  His father's remarkable progress was a testament to this. Irfan speaks highly of Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist Taher and his team.

"I would thoroughly recommend Taher and his team as they have been fantastic and have given my father a new lease of life."

This story is a powerful reminder of the impact that intensive neurological physiotherapy can have on stroke recovery. It highlights the importance of specialised, consistent care in helping clients regain their independence and improve their quality of life. Irfan’s father's remarkable journey from immobility to taking steps is a testament to what can be achieved with the right approach and a team of dedicated professionals.