Stroke Recovery and Rehab

Recovering from a stroke takes time, support and care. A stroke can change your life in many ways. But with treatment and rehabilitation, you can regain skills, rebuild your strength and move forward.

At Banner Brain & Spine, our stroke recovery program is here to help you heal physically, mentally and emotionally. We offer a comprehensive range of rehabilitation services to support your recovery and help you work toward your goals.

How a stroke can affect your life

A stroke happens when blood flow to your brain is blocked or when bleeding in the brain causes damage. It can affect many parts of your life. It can change how your body moves, how your brain works and how you feel. These changes may happen right away or over time.

You might notice:

• Muscle weakness or numbness, usually on one side of your body
• Trouble walking, standing or using your arms
• Speech problems, like slurred words or trouble finding the right words
• Memory or thinking problems
• Difficulty swallowing
• Vision changes
• Tiredness or low energy
• Mood changes, like feeling sad, angry or anxious

These changes can make daily life harder. You may need help with getting dressed, preparing meals or performing your job. That can feel frustrating or scary, but you’re not alone. Stroke rehabilitation can help you regain skills and confidence. 

What is stroke rehabilitation?

Stroke rehabilitation is a program designed to help you recover after a stroke. Rehabilitation helps retrain your brain and body. It teaches you new ways to do everyday things and helps you get back as much independence as possible.

No two strokes are the same, so your recovery plan will be tailored to your unique needs. Whether your stroke was mild or severe, your stroke care team will help you work toward your personal goals.

Your stroke care team

You’ll work with a team of experts trained in stroke care. Each member plays a role in helping you recover. Your team may include:

• Doctors (primary care providers, neurologists and specialists in rehabilitation and physical medicine)
• Rehabilitation nurses 
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Speech-language therapists
• Registered dietitians
• Eye specialists (optometrists and ophthalmologists)
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Pharmacists
• Vocational counselors
• Health care assistants and rehabilitation assistants

What’s involved in stroke rehabilitation?

Stroke rehabilitation uses focused, repeated practice to help your brain and body heal. Your rehab plan will depend on which parts of your brain were affected and what skills you want to improve. Rehab can include:

Physical activities

These therapies help you move better and do everyday tasks more easily:

• Motor skill exercises: Build strength and coordination in your arms, legs and core. These exercises help with balance and swallowing.
• Mobility training: Learn to walk again using tools like a cane, walker, wheelchair or ankle brace.
• Constraint therapy: Practice using your weaker arm or leg by limiting movement in your stronger one. This helps retrain your brain.
• Range-of-motion therapy: Stretching and gentle movement can reduce muscle tightness (spasticity) and improve flexibility.

Technology-assisted therapy

Advanced tools can support your recovery and make therapy more effective:

• Electrical stimulation: Small electrical pulses can help weakened muscles move and rebuild strength.
• Robotic devices: Machines can guide your arms and legs through repeated movements to improve function.
• Activity monitors: Wearable technology can track your progress and keep you active
• Virtual reality: Games and computer-based tools give you a fun way to practice tasks and stay engaged.

Cognitive and emotional support

A stroke can affect how you think, speak and feel. Therapy can help you adjust and build confidence:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: Work on memory, attention, problem-solving and safety awareness.
• Speech and language therapy: Improve speaking, understanding, reading and writing skills.
• Mental health care: Talk to a therapist or counselor, join a support group or take medications to help manage depression or mood changes. 

Learn more about coping with emotional and mental changes after a stroke.

Other treatments

Some new therapies show promise but are still being researched:

• Noninvasive deep brain stimulation: Techniques such as magnetic stimulation may help improve certain motor skills.
• Stem cell therapy: This is still an experimental treatment and is currently only offered through clinical trials.
• Alternative therapies: Some people try treatments such as massage, acupuncture or herbal remedies. Talk to your stroke care team before trying these alternative therapies to make sure they’re safe.

What to expect during stroke recovery

Stroke recovery takes time. Your recovery will depend on the type of stroke you had, how serious it was, your age and overall health. Most recovery happens in stages:

Stage 1: Early recovery

Rehabilitation often begins within 24 to 48 hours after your stroke, once your condition is stable. You may start rehab in the hospital or be transferred to a rehabilitation center. 

Therapy in this phase focuses on basic skills, such as sitting up, standing, walking and speaking. Your care team will create a plan to help you begin healing and prepare for the next steps after you leave the hospital. 

Stage 2: Ongoing therapy

After leaving the hospital, you may continue therapy at an outpatient clinic or with home health services. You’ll continue to work on strengthening your coordination, speech and thinking skills. Most people attend therapy several times a week.

This stage is important for rebuilding independence. You’ll practice real-life tasks with help from your stroke care team and use tools and techniques that support brain healing.

Stage 3: Long-term recovery

Stroke recovery doesn’t stop after therapy ends. As you regain skills, your appointments may become less frequent. The focus shifts to maintaining your progress and preventing another stroke.

You may still need to see your therapist, neurologist or health care provider to monitor your health. You may also learn new ways to manage stress, stay active and eat well.

Some people make a full recovery. Others learn to adapt to changes and find new ways to live independently. No matter your path, we’re here to help you stay strong and keep moving forward.

Support for stroke survivors and caregivers

Healing after a stroke doesn’t just affect your body. It also affects your daily life, relationships and emotions. 

At Banner Brain & Spine, we offer support for both survivors and caregivers, including:

• Banner Stroke and Aneurysm Support Group (every second Tuesday; 8 to 10 a.m.)
• One-on-one counseling and therapy for stress, grief and role changes
• Resource planning for home modifications and assistive devices 
• Help manage other health conditions, such as high blood pressure or ischemic stroke risk

Why choose Banner Brain & Spine for stroke recovery

Banner Brain & Spine offers award-winning stroke care across Arizona and the western U.S. Our hospitals are nationally certified stroke centers, with care teams trained in the latest treatments. 

When you choose Banner, you get more than medical care, you get a partner in your recovery. Our goal is to support your recovery at every stage, so you can focus on healing and living well.

We believe in your strength and your future. 

Find a Banner Brain & Spine specialist near you.