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Book Review |
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By David Wasielewski |
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Stronger After
Stroke: Your roadmap to recovery by Peter G. Levine Regular
readers of this newsletter have seen reviews of numerous stroke related
books. There are many volumes documenting personal stories of stroke and
survivors’ struggles through rehabilitation and recovery. Many also include
directly and indirectly the stories of caregivers and their experiences with
stroke. Of the many volumes written about stroke recovery, this book:
“Stronger After Stroke: Your Roadmap to Recovery” by Peter Levine is, by far,
the best recovery reference manual I have encountered to date. The
book is well organized, clearly written in terms that survivors and caregivers
without previous stroke knowledge can easily understand. The author explains,
in no uncertain terms, the incredible work and commitment required in order
to manage through the process of recovery. The mental and physical efforts
are clearly defined. He explains to the reader the physical aspects of
stroke, how the mechanisms of the muscles and their control center, the
brain, can be damaged by a stroke. The
challenge of rewiring the brain to achieve recovery is explained. The
mechanism of neuroplasticity is clarified for the reader. The need to relearn
tasks and how to replace the control circuits in the nervous system is
explained. The reality of spasticity and its unique challenges is outlined
along with strategies for overcoming this condition. The
author offers a reasonable summary of the major therapeutic strategies used
in our rehabilitation centers. The reader learns the difference between the
most common rehabilitation strategies and less common techniques like
Constraint Induced Therapy (CIT), mirror therapy, speaking musically and
bilateral therapy. He explains when it might be appropriate to explore each
alternative. Concepts
like the familiar ‘plateau’ are discussed. Why is this concept popular and
how should it be viewed by the survivor and caregivers in the midst of
therapy? The four stages of stroke recovery are outlined (hyper-acute, acute,
sub-acute and chronic) along with appropriate therapies for each. Therapeutic
aids are examined. The role that electrical stimulation (e-stim) can play in recovery is explained. New technologies
are detailed, with references to appropriate equipment and sources. Each
concept the author explores is clearly explained along with its potential
role in recovery. Appropriate Considerations and cautions are included in
each chapter. Most discussions conclude with a section ‘What precautions
should be taken.’ Finally,
the author continually stresses the role of the survivor and caregiver in the
process. The importance of managing your recovery, its speed and trajectory.
He suggests appropriate strategies for managing therapists and medical
experts as they provide assistance and the importance of an often overlooked
Home Exercise Program to the recovery process. This
reference manual offers pertinent information for each unique survivor and
sets the advice within the context of one’s lifestyle and recovery goals. The
role of fatigue, the ability or necessity of returning to work post stroke,
the unique challenges and advantages of being a Young Adult Stroke Survivor
(YASS). I particularly appreciated his definition of young as anyone under 55
years old! He recognizes that recovery from stroke is not ‘one size fits
all’. He offers advice and strategies from which the reader can choose. Despite
having read many other books on stroke recovery I found much here that was
new and interesting. The author explained several conditions in ways I had
not previously considered and provided new therapeutic suggestions for me to
consider despite being almost 9 years post-stroke. The book is a must read
for any survivor or caregiver looking for advice on how to manage through a
recovery and should be included in any survivor’s reference library. Read
about and order on Amazon |
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Copyright@December 2013 The Stroke Network, Inc. P.O. Box 492 Abingdon, Maryland 21009 All rights reserved. |
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