Massage after a stroke for adults

A stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVD) occurs when blood flow to a specific area of ​​the brain is interrupted (ischemia), or when an artery in the brain ruptures and floods the surrounding tissues with blood (cerebral hemorrhage). A stroke caused by blockage of blood vessels is called cerebral ischemia, and NMCs caused by arterial rupture are known as cerebral hemorrhages.

Ischemic strokes are the most common, accounting for approximately 80% of all strokes. Depending on the severity and location in the brain, their damaging effects can range from mild to severe and include:

• weakness, numbness, tingling, or paralysis of the limbs, facial muscles, and sometimes the entire side of the body;
• impaired vision;
• inability to walk or problems with coordination and balance;
• problems with chewing, swallowing and speaking;
• memory loss.

Patients recovering from a stroke can receive support from a wide variety of healthcare professionals, including speech therapists, physical therapists, neurologists, and massage therapists.

Massage therapy can play an important role in a patient’s recovery process by helping to improve nerve function and joint mobility while relieving stress associated with cardiovascular injury.

The benefits of massage after a stroke for adults

Swedish massage is one of the most common techniques used for stroke patients. The most commonly cited benefits of this approach are:

• relief from anxiety caused by brain injury and associated loss of function;
• decrease in muscle tension;
• improved joint function.

The long, gentle strokes used in Swedish massage relax the entire body, lowering cortisol levels and stimulating serotonin production. This method also stimulates blood circulation and increases the level of oxygen in the blood.

Several studies report that stroke patients with swelling, numbness, or reduced range of motion in their arms and legs experience improved sensation and mobility after Swedish massage.

The massage therapist communicates with the stroke patient about their specific therapeutic goals, such as improving the ability to walk or use their hands. Starting with a Swedish full body massage, the massage therapist can then focus the treatment on specific muscles and joints, helping the patient achieve personal mobility goals. To further assist in the rehabilitation process, a course of massage can be combined with therapeutic exercises. This may include simple strength and stretching exercises to further improve flexibility and range of motion.

Although stroke rehabilitation therapy is best started immediately after the onset of the pathology, massage will be beneficial for the patient even months or years later.

The harm of massage after a stroke for adults

Can massage itself cause a stroke? People worry that it can loosen plaque in the arteries or activate blood clots. There is no conclusive scientific evidence on this issue. But there are a few facts that should reassure. Most atherosclerotic plaques are firmly attached to the wall of the artery. The plaque is rarely released suddenly, travels through the vessels and blocks an artery in the brain.

One caveat about massage: the carotid arteries on either side of the neck have nerve endings that respond to changes in blood pressure. Massaging these areas can lower your heart rate, sometimes enough to cause fainting. In some people, they are so sensitive that simply tightening a tie or turning their head can make them faint. This is called carotid sinus hypersensitivity. And it is better not to massage such people.

When massaging, it is important to remember several problems:

• if patients are taking anticoagulants to fight blood clots, too much pressure can cause bruising;
• if people have been on prolonged bed rest, then deep pressure can break up clots in the legs, which can then clog blood vessels in the lungs or brain;
• if patients have experienced loss or change in sensation in any part of the body as a result of a stroke, the feedback they can give regarding massage pressure may not be reliable if their sensation has changed.

Massage contraindications after a stroke for adults

A general contraindication is when massage therapists are unable to perform the massage due to an injury, illness, or condition of the client. This type of contraindication is also called absolute. These include:

• infectious or contagious diseases;
• diarrhea;
• vomiting;
• heat;
• kidney disease;
• strong pain;
• acute conditions requiring medical attention.

Massage may exacerbate any of these conditions or adversely affect the client’s health.

You can not massage a patient in shock. Shock is a life-threatening condition where blood flow in the body suddenly drops, limiting the levels of nutrients and oxygen delivered to the body’s vital organs. If the patient has just suffered a stroke or an acute heart attack, under no circumstances should massage be done!

Before massage, patients must overcome the acute phase of the disease. Therefore, it is important for the massage therapist to know the client’s medical history or health status, or to obtain the approval of a massage therapist. For example, the risk of a second stroke is very high within a month after the first one. Meanwhile, the chance of recurrent stroke is significantly reduced after 6 months.

How to massage after a stroke for adults at home

At home, massage can only be performed by a specialist. Recent scientific studies have shown that when massaging stroke patients, they experience increased mobility, reduced pain and depression, which may lead to less medication use.

By using various muscle massage techniques, the doctor can stimulate blood flow and lead to improved overall mobility. Using acupressure, you can stimulate certain nerve centers. Swedish massage techniques can also increase mobility.

One of the most common and long-lasting side effects of a stroke is fatigue. Massage therapy can increase energy levels and help a stroke patient maintain energy levels. This is achieved by relieving muscle tension and reducing toxins in the muscles, as well as lowering levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

Stroke patients may experience insomnia and difficulty falling asleep due to symptoms such as dry mouth, shortness of breath, muscle discomfort, and stiffness. Massage therapy can help reduce insomnia as it relaxes the patient both physically and mentally. Moreover, patients often fall asleep right during the massage.

A stroke is caused by a circulatory disorder. For patients who have had an attack, it is important to address this problem in order to prevent the occurrence of repeated strokes. Good blood circulation, stimulated by massage therapy, delivers oxygen-rich blood to damaged and tense muscles, which is exactly what is needed for rehabilitation.

With gentle massage, soreness and stiffness of the joints can be reduced, as the muscles surrounding the soft tissues and the joint now receive a better blood supply. Increasing circulation can also help relieve cramps, as they are a common result when a muscle does not receive adequate blood flow.

But we repeat once again: massage after a stroke can only be done by a specialist and only with the approval of the attending physician!

Popular questions and answers

Answered typical questions about massage after a stroke physiotherapy and sports medicine doctor, traumatologist-orthopedist, rehabilitation specialist Georgy Temichev.