Who is The Successful Stroke Survivor book for? It is for stroke survivors. Depending on how long or hard you have been looking, you may have discovered that there had not yet been written a comprehensive book for stroke survivors to show you how (and why) to create your own highly effective home- based functional rehabilitation programme. I (Tom Balchin) have purposefully chosen a much more intimate, conversational style of writing than is commonly found when discussing such a serious topic as stroke, and I hope it reflects the encouraging, ‘no-nonsense’ way I speak with the stroke survivors I train. I also have illustrated it with quotes from inspirational current and historical successful people where relevant, when the memorable quotes attributed to each sum up in a few words a concept I want to relay. (Quote taken from the book).
www.strokesolutions.co.uk/.../successful-stroke.../
#neuroplasticity #neurorehab #arnistrokerehab #strokeexercise #strokesurvivorscan
Can you guess whose point of view about recovery after stroke this is??? Yes. It's our very own Tom Balchin. (Copied from The Successful Stroke Survivor book). See if you agree with him!
On reflection, I’m not sure if there is such a thing as a uniform public image of a stroke survivor. No doubt polling a few hundred people around the world would provide a rough answer but, whatever it is, you can bet that the image returned would not resemble the Olympian picture of health and fitness. So, compliments were nice because it was a confirmation of ‘job well done’.
But actually, my transformation was not done for anyone else but myself, as a matter of dire necessity, over a period of many years. This transformation, stemming from the urgency to function better, stands in contrast to the physical development of a bodybuilder who develops his or her physique as quickly as possible, largely for the critical approval of others and whose bedroom bedroom mirror is their best friend.
I aim for your transformation also to be a deeply personal, time-rich ‘rebuilding’, standing in contrast to a ‘look at me go’ type of effort, which seeks the endorsement of others and quick-fix answers.
www.arni.co.uk
#neuroplasticity #neurorehab #arnistrokerehab #strokerecovery #strokerehabilitation #arnistroke #strokesurvivorscan #strokeexercise #strokerehab #ARNIstrokerehab
Thanks for reminder, it comes at a great time as a reminder, my gym journey is different from others. I do sometimes forget when I see the progression of others. I love the focus on “personal time-rich” me rebuilding rather than comparing to the physical development of others.
Being aware and accepting that we all recover differently because stroke effects us as individuals not a collective can be very frustrating I’m sure that no one could ever be resentful of another survivors progress but it can take time to process that one person might have full functioning limbs while others unfortunately don’t it is something I’ve had to reflect on myself during my journey I continue with physio daily trying to regain the use of my left hand / arm bit it’s proving difficult
Mental toughness comes down to your habits. It’s about doing the things you know you’re supposed to do on a more consistent basis. It’s about your dedication to daily practice and your ability to stick to a schedule. It's not about stroke recovery but these principles can be applied to your ARNI exercises. What do you think?
www.arni.co.uk
#neurorehab #strokesurvivors #arnistrokecharity #neuroplasticity #strokeexercise #arnistrokerehab
This book, with photos and illustrations, is a one-stop ‘go-to’ to give to a family going through the painful process of having a loved one suffer stroke – or for the stroke survivor to get for themselves to add to their ‘ammo’.
Here you will find out how to cope with stroke, and recover from it optimally. It takes you through the full process; from arriving at hospital onward. Suitable therefore also for someone many years after stroke, this book reveals many hundreds of clever tips concerning how to rehabilitate effectively and self-manage at home over the long term in a relatively cost-free way..
www.strokesolutions.co.uk/.../had-a-stroke-now.../
#strokesurvivorscan #neuroplasticity #neurorehab #strokeexercise #strokerehab #strokerecovery #strokerehabilitation #neurorehabilitation #exerciseafterstroke #strokerecoveryexercises
Post-stroke depression is far more common than most people realise - even many stroke survivors who have it don't realise that so many other survivors have it too... it's really a horrible sequelae or after-effect...
One in three of us gets some form of depression within the first year and over the longer term it can get worse; a King’s College London study (the South London Stroke Register, following 6,600 survivors) found more than HALF of survivors develop depression at some point, with most starting within five years of the stroke.
I doubt the stats will have changed much positively since the Stroke Association’s 2019 survey of over 11,000 people which showed that 78% of survivors reported depression, anxiety, low confidence, mood swings or suicidal thoughts, and 16% reported suicidal thoughts. With around 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK, that’s a really massive number of people affected.
So what helps? Psychological therapy can sometimes help; a study of 7,597 UK survivors found a surprising 71% apparantly 'reliably improved' (at the time of questioning!) with NHS talking therapies . Antidepressants (SSRIs in particular) can help and may also aid physical recovery. We know exercise has been shown to cut post-stroke depression too (in one trial a three-month exercise programme dropped depression rates to 14% against 35% in those who didn’t do it). Staying active, getting your rehab done and keeping connected to other people are all ways forward..
What about you? Can I possibly ask you; have you been coping with low mood or depression since your stroke?
What helped you? Retraining? Medication? Or something else? Let us know please in the comments below...
www.arni.co.uk
#ARNIStrokeRehab #StrokeRecovery #PostStrokeDepression #StrokeRehab #Neuroplasticity
Exercise: Going up steps.
For years, coaches have advised football players to do ‘stair-training’ to train the legs and test cardiovascular fitness. They understand that moving vertically against gravity yields an intense aerobic workout focusing on strengthening the lower body. We as stroke survivors can take our direction from this established practice.
Technique:
Locate the banister, and hold onto it with your good hand. Use the ‘good foot up to heaven’ rule. Place the good foot on the step normally and then lean your whole body slightly over to the good side. Pull your hip up and place your affected foot on the next step. If you have foot drop, your bad foot may well plantar flex at this point, and you may catch your toes on the lip of the stairs.
The key to the success is making sure that you learn to control the descent of the foot so that only three quarters of your foot is actually on the stair. This is all about proprioception; and the only way we have found to improve this is by repeated practice. The ball of your foot strikes the step itself and to prevent you simply falling back off again or sliding forward until you touch the back of the step, it is essential to keep moving once you have started, pulling yourself up by leaning forward into the steps, grasping the banister and almost hauling yourself up. Then simply transfer your whole weight through the bad foot once you are on it.
Find out more in The Successful Stroke Survivor book by Tom Balchin
www.arni.co.uk
#neuroplasticity #strokesurvivorscan #neurorehab #strokerecovery #strokerehabilitation #ARNIstrokerehab #strokerehab #strokeexercise
We all know the journey after a stroke can be tough and often feels isolating once formal therapy ends. That's where an ARNI Instructor can make a monumental difference; they retrain people one-to-one, providing incredibly specific, functional and intensive exercise strategies designed exactly for a survivor's unique impairments and goals. ARNI isn't some kind of generic approach; it’s personal.🎯
This specialised one-to-one focus is evidenced to have amazing effects... research and real-world results consistently show that this kind of dedicated, long-term training helps survivors regain physical function, improve balance, increase strength in affected limbs, and significantly boost their confidence and independence! Studies have demonstrated that this targeted functional practice helps trigger neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself, leading to genuine, measurable recovery years after the initial stroke! 🌟
It helps survivors get out of a rut and back to doing things they thought were lost forever, like walking with more ease or using their affected hand more effectively. It’s all about empowering you to take control of your recovery journey and achieving those breakthroughs. 💖
If you're feeling stuck, remember there are experts like ARNI Instructors like Felicia (shown in pic) out there dedicated to helping you unlock your full potential...
www.arni.co.uk
#ARNIstrokerehab #StrokeSurvivor #OneToOneRehab #RecoveryJourney #Neuroplasticity #StrongerTogether #HopeAfterStroke
you ztruggle to get stuf that work for stroke i got my stroke 2 years ago my left side parrelized Port Shepstone Hospitalsent me home no phisio nothing my wife and myself google to try to find stuf that can help me to walk again no after 2 years i still walk with a limp and my left arm i cant use i manage to get a phisio to help me but it cost a lot i only get sassa pensione so she comes 2 times a month it is all i can afford
Are these available on the nhs and how can I access one?
kate barret if you give me your watsup nu i can send you some exercise that help me
When attention is divided between physical therapy and the radio playing in the background, you’re not reaping the full benefits of your efforts.
Make sure that you’re getting the most benefit from your exercises by creating a quiet, distraction-free environment. Turn off the television and tell family members not to disturb you until you’re done.
Your brain is hard at work rewiring itself. Don’t let distraction get in the way!
www.arni.co.uk
#neurorehab #strokeexercise #neuroplasticity #arnistrokerehab #strokesurvivors #ARNIstrokerehab #strokesurvivorscan
And here's the proof: the new UK SSNAP shows Fewer than 1 in 15 stroke survivors get the rehab they’re meant to! These stats keep getting worse and worse even as more and more public money goes into the NHS....
The new national audit (SSNAP, run out of King’s College London) found only 6.4% of patients got the recommended three hours of therapy a day, five days a week, in early 2026. Which is down from 7.5% from the end of 2024... astonishing isn't it?
And average therapy dropped from 46 minutes a day to 40. And depending which hospital you're in, daily therapy ranges from just 15 minutes to 57 - nearly a fourfold difference - it's a horrible mess -and the government should most definitely prioritiise this rather than handing our money out on improving roads in Romania etc.
Once survivors get home, only 68% get ANY continuing rehab support at all. Meaning 32% get absolutely NOTHING.
And even the therapy that does get delivered is usually the wrong kind. We need intensive, repetitive, task-specific practice; YOU making the movement, over and over, with real intent - but in typical NHS physio and OT sessions, patients manage a median of just 32 arm reps btw - whereas the dose actually shown to drive neuroplasticity is several HUNDRED a day. We're all aware that being moved isn’t the same as moving.
So the audit really shows two problems: way too little therapy (a resourcing issue for the NHS), and that a large part of what IS given being far too passive and low-rep to drive any real recovery.
This is where ARNI comes in. With over 100 qualified instructors across the UK, ARNI teaches survivors how to train actively at home, at the intensity and reps the evidence actually calls for, long after NHS therapy has tailed off. Being coached, pushed, guided and guarded to do the repetitive, task-specific work yourself (rather than passive ‘treatment’ being administered onto you) - and bringing in family and friends to assist and encourage where professionals can’t always be present.
Were YOU offered enough rehab after your stroke? Let me know in the comments below.
www.arni.co.uk
#ARNIStrokeRehab #StrokeRecovery #StrokeRehab #Neuroplasticity #StrokeRehabilitation
I thought maybe we were just very unlucky with physio but reading through this it’s obvious that most people are badly let down with physio. This is very wrong.
Can you link to the audit report ? 🙏
The problem is that ARNI cannot guarantee getting trainers either. We were told we would be getting one only to have our hopes dashed when the person who ARNI Stroke Rehab & Recovery trained decided he didn't want to continue. We've been let down all round sorry to say. 😥😥😥
ARNI Stroke Rehab & Recovery What training opportunities do you offer NHS employed therapists to improve and promote better rehab?
Reasonable treatment in Bristol, 3 weeks in rehab unit, lucky to get an hour a day! Then home and really good stroke team, had 3 visits a day at first, with an emphasis on rehab, this tapered off but lasted for 6 months. Then private physio and private Pilates, continuing with all the stuff I had been taught in the first 3 months. Still working on it with physio 2 years later. Expensive but worth every penny.
No only 6 wks off community physio once a week for 30 minutes was crap i now having to 2 pay privately for physio twice a week for one hour each time its expensive not everyone can afford this its terrible able how stroke patients r treated after discharge from hospital there's no support at all government definitely needs to address this
One session with physio in hospital and a couple of home visits after a Cerebellar Stroke in 2019 lots of rehabilitation choices if I lived in the city where the hospital was but because I live in a more rural location there was nothing . I saw the stroke nurse twice at local hospital once she couldn’t take my blood pressure because batteries had run out on her machine the second time I saw her she seemed to think I knew all the stroke team but I hadn’t seen anyone she also had a student with her and basically explained infront of me that the “ part of the brain that had been damaged due to the Stroke was dead and that was that” the only person who actually helped was my GP and my family I did my own rehab at home and they helped shocking to think this is only 7 years ago! I hope it’s improved!!! they seem to right you off I was only 51 xx
Alahna Cullen this is you??????
My son was in hospital for 4 month then spent 6 month as inpatient at rehab ,physio was one hour three times a week .
Had very little in hospital due to Covid. Was in hospital for 12 weeks, then 6 weeks residential then NOTHING, had to track down Headway - the brain injury association myself and now attend my local branch, Headway Luton once a week for specialised targeted exercises,which obviously costs but recommend then to anyone
can’t recommend enough the rehab i received after my stoke,and i firmly believe i wouldn’t be at the stage of my recovery as i am now,the four weeks i was in rehab was the best treatment u could get,at every stage, food,exercise,mentally as well as physically was given at your pace nothing was to much trouble,and if these places get shut we have lost a great service to the nhs,these units take away a lot of work from hospital nurses as a secondary health care,i can only say THANK U to sapphire at gravesend a rehab unit the nhs and all other rehab units for stroke paitients will over time save the nhs a fortune by getting stroke patients back on their feet,unless u have been in one of these rehabs u can’t believe the benefits they achieve ,well done to all staff,and it doesn’t stop when u leave the unit,care still carries on,an nhs victory
I am getting no help. I am walking now that only because I have learned myself
Dr. Pramod Parab. Contact me my whatsapp number is +917972644354. Specialist in paralysis patients within 2 months course in at Goa. If any patients not gotten relief then no pay of fee.
After1st stroke in 2024 physio once a week for 6 weeks for 30 mins .After 2nd in 2025 was just sent home but it takes time to figure out what you can and can’t do .
It’s because physio is seen as an extra not central .Doctors and nurses first then the afterthought are the professions allied to medicine.Meanwhile physios struggle to get employment after graduation
Very little physio in hospital, lucky to get 1/2 hour couple of times a week, that included speech therapy or physio. I was lucky as Knowsley gave 12 months stroke support team which included some physio, occupational therapy visits (which was intensive in the beginning being daily) and other support like group zoom calls to do hand and arm work, walking group and emotional support. Those support visits and what was offered were amazing with each of the lovely ladies who came and pushed my recovery. I can’t fault that support one little bit. I know I was lucky when I hear the lack of support for some, I don’t know how they cope.
My Arni physio did a great job for me after the NHS gave me around 6 weeks of home visits.
Most of the NHS problem is the staff have absolutely no gravitas of the situation. There is no accountability for what they do. How are they measured they do a good job? In my experience they simply don’t care. I was in a rehab hospital for 10 weeks and didn’t even get an hr a day fortunately I was cognitive and had no fatigue. At Easter all the physios were off. I remember crying Good Friday desperate for rehab as no one was back until the following Tuesday! Like we all miraculously get well during Easter. More shocking was virtually no support when home. They asked me my goals ??? To walk!! To try and get my arm back?? To use the stairs!! I was 55 , I have had to move and am paying for private neuro physio they are amazing. They literally push me and genuinely are interested in thier job, and me. I’ve a way to go but I’m so lucky I can afford it ( although I do nothing else atm) I worked full time for nearly 40 years never needed the nhs , did I think that they would be there when I needed to learn to walk absolutely!! They literally just send you home in a chair and that’s it. When I am a bit better I am going to tell all about the shocking lack of support I received and the fact they didn’t really care if I recovered or not…. And that was ok!
But ultimately who funds it? Instead of asking for more money perhaps we need to look at the quality and qualifications of those being paid to deliver the rehab.... They get paid whether they do a great job or a bad job and as a stroke survivor I had ZERO idea what I needed to be working on.... The consequences of which are with me today but nobody is 'responsible'.... Secondly if you rehab people properly they're likely to make better gains and perhaps remain productive in the labour market, family life thus cutting government expenditure....if £££ is what those in power understand then it makes sense to provide better input earlier on and ongoing
Six years on and no NHS help at all: only help for six weeks after stroke then "ok , you have a plan off you go!" I pay for private physio: what helps most is aqua physio but only one pool 8n three counties. I am lucky in that I have family support but what happens to those left alone?
I wasn’t seen by anyone! Took 9 months to start physio, never even met my stroke nurse and the stroke team “lost me” because the doctor that dealt with me went on annual leave! I managed to get myself to the toilet, so when physio came round and saw I was in there, decided I must be fine! I had mine in my sleep and my face didn’t droop, but right side was affected so I didn’t realise it was a stroke and waited 3 days to call the GP, I’m in constant pain and feel completely let down by the NHS, it was 3 months after my 40th birthday 😢
The last government kept saying record amounts were put into the NHS. What they didn't tell us is the majority of the funds were sent to the private sector. Hopefully this government will be better. I've been trying to get referred back to orthotics for a splint review but it's all online now and I can't operate early in the morning
I’m post stroke 3 half years, can’t walk without stick , and no physio 🥹
The treatment of stroke patients and others in need of physiotherapy which they do not have provided, is a total scandal. The blame lies in the main with Trusts who do not employ physiotherapists and other AHP’s and do not provide a career structure and advancement to enable training and expertise in this essential treatment. Ultimately, this results in an even bigger cost and disability to the individual patient and society. So, there are very few physiotherapists who have developed the expertise, evidenced knowledge and ability to publicise this grave omission and set stroke patients on the right recovery course to independence, so patients remain dependent and costly in need. I can say this having worked in this field and for the stroke association and with almost 60 years experience. During that time, I have encouraged our society to promote the invaluable work physiotherapists do and the results we see in reducing this health burden. It has not been said strongly enough, so patients and medical colleagues, and health commissioners remain conveniently oblivious as funds are directed elsewhere to conditions with quicker treatment responses. The only ones who truly know are the individual stroke patients and families who are left to cope without simple information, without a proper physio rehab programme as outlined in this post, and who have the very minimal recovery when the outcome could be maximising recovery potential and resuming good quality lifestyle. That is the singular, collective and expensive stroke scandal which has unfolded since the 60’s. Stroke survivors have been left behind when health service funds are allocated, and the voluntary sector has stepped up to help bridge the gap as best it can. The present stroke service needs review and to equate physiotherapy and rehab treatment to good recovery, so reducing the present cost and burden of disability to the patient, family and society.
Constant fight to get anything, physio, splint, Botox injections
Many people will want to do some form of cardiovascular exercise daily. Go for it. If this is not achievable, it’s advised that you complete 10-60 minutes, 3-6 days per week, depending on your status and the intensity of the exercise being completed. This may sound like a lot to do, but it does need to be contemplated. And it doesn’t have to be onerous at all.
Intensity of exercise is dependent on your heart rate or the amount of effort you feel you’re exerting. The more intense the activity, the higher your heart rate will be. And the less time you’ll probably need to train for. You’ll soon find that you can create a weekly plan which allows you to slot in some frequent but short sessions of cardiovascular exercise.
www.arni.co.uk
If you need some help the call us on 0203 053 0111 or email support@arni.uk.com to find out if there's a trainer near you who can help you.
www.arni.uk.com #neurorehabilitation #neurorehab #neuroplasticity #strokeexercise #exerciseafterstroke #strokerecoveryexercises
Recommend a seated elliptical or bike to get started!!
