Freedom in Function, LLC

American Stroke Foundation The ASF empowers stroke survivors and their families to overcome the challenges of life after stroke.

Have you tried mirror therapy? What did you think about it?

In our brain we all have special neurons called “mirror neurons.” These neurons will mirror actions they see and can help develop new functions and lead to an improvement in occupational performance. After a stroke, function is lost because of damage to the brain, so these mirror neurons can help regain function. This can be done by watching other people complete an activity or using a mirror to have the non-affected side complete an activity to help the affected side mirror those movements of the unaffected side. Because of the ability for our brain to change, these mirror neurons help improve function and occupational performance. Doing exercises in front of a mirror can help train the affected side as you focus on the movements of the unaffected side!

Strokes, like most things, affect each person differently. Factors like age, weight, and current health status contribute to the effects of the stroke. Most importantly though is the location of the stroke leading to damage of different structures.

This post is the first of three discussing the effects of each of the three main areas we see strokes happen.

Today, this graphic shows the common effects seen with a LEFT HEMISPHERE stroke. Tomorrow we will have information about right hemisphere strokes and the day after we will discuss cerebellar strokes.