Stretch after Stroke

Mood disorders are common in individual’s post- CVA.  Depression can manifest as a result of a brain lesion in the area that the stroke affected.  It is however most commonly due to feelings associated with loss of independence, loss of physical function, and lifestyle issues such as sedentary behaviour and social isolation.  Research also indicates that management of depression may also help improve physical functioning (Chan, Immink, & Hillier, 2012).   Image retrieved from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/217487.php

CVA is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, causing devastating impairments, influencing one’s ability to engage in everyday occupations (Lazaridou, Philbrook, & Tzika, 2013) . The physical postures in yoga help CVA survivors to gain strength, and improve flexibility and balance following their CVA, and the breathing exercises associated with yoga help to ease anxiety and depression following a CVA (Thayabaranathan et al., 2012). Image retrieved from: http://www.zenlines.com/health/benefits-chair-yoga.html 

I have enjoyed the challenge of creating a blog, as it required me to learn a new skill, and provided me with an opportunity for professional development in a topic which I am interested in. I also think a blog is an excellent way of health promotion, as it can be read by many people worldwide. This topic has meaning to me, as I have a family history of CVA, and have seen first hand the benefits of occupational therapy rehabilitation in improving quality of life. I am very interested in CVA rehabilitation due to the meaning it has to me, and have enjoyed researching alternative interventions to add to my occupational therapist tool kit.  Image retrieved from:  http://www.kongadventure.com/our-events/yoga/