Conventional wisdom, in the medical community, held that a patient that suffered a stroke needed to work on compensation rather then therapy. Doctors and rehabilitation experts worked more on strengthening working limbs or body areas and paid little attention to the limbs that had been affected by stroke.

he experts rightly believed that strokes killed brain cells, mainly due to oxygen deprivation. Experts knew that strokes killed off brain cells, so trying to rehabilitate a limb that was controlled by a severely damaged brain, that didn't heal was futile at best.

New brain theory says otherwise, in fact researchers are now finding that if the area of the brain is severely damaged but not destroyed there is a chance that recovery is possible. Experts say that if 10% of the nerve cells connecting the brain to the spinal cord remain intact recovery chances are good.

Even more startling is the fact that regeneration may not be impossible, as recent discoveries have shown the presence of new neurons in far-flung places of the brain. These new neurons may voyage to the affected stroke region of the brain and attach themselves. These neurons then sprout dendritic spines, which store tiny amounts of memory. Of course this may be the only easy part of the whole modus operandi for recovery, as the patients themselves must do more then their fair share of work.

The most difficult task in rehabilitation is the huge amount of time and effort needed to do some of the most basic of tasks. A patient must retrain arms, legs, and even facial features to do tasks once taken for granted. Some patient's receive the following treatment:

Dobkin's "Lokomat," - This is a robot that guides the weakened limbs of patients as they walk on a treadmill.

Zynex Medical's Neuromove - This device stimulates muscles when it senses, via electrodes, that the patient is trying to move them.

Other play video games - Patients at Julius Dewald's clinic at Northwestern University play games that force them to extend their elbows, a task difficult for most stroke victims.

Drugs - Research is being done on drugs such as dopamine and serotonin that may enhance the ability of neurons to relearn tasks.

Though these rehabilitation methods are extremely effective they are not cheap. The financial demands may be steep and the dedication required of patients' time might keep many away from work. Without long-term help though patients may be forced out of their jobs anyways so therapy is probably their best chance at regaining their former life.

HerboTibet.com contains various health related articles dealing with high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, kidney and liver ailments. Our Tibetan specialists provide alternative solutions and suggestion for renewed health.