Stroke can cause various long-term problems, including movement issues. Mitigating that damage requires quick action from a physical therapist with experience working with stroke patients.

“It’s important that physical therapy begin very soon after a stroke,” says Gary Beredo, a Bayonne physical therapy specialist who has more than 25 years’ experience. “Stroke physical therapists can stimulate affected muscles and nerves to maintain circulation and prevent stiffness, then guide patients through the stages of stroke recovery as they relearn basic muscle movements.”

Together with physiatrist Jennifer Beredo, M.D., Beredo provides stroke recovery services, geriatric and post-surgery care, and treatment for neck and back pain and auto-, work- and sports-related injuries.

Evaluation is very important for guiding the treatment of stroke, he says. A typical PT assessment includes a health history; a detailed discussion of symptoms; detection of risk factors associated with the condition; review of lab tests, x-rays and other images; clinical observation of the patient’s movements; and a hands-on physical assessment. Recovery depends on the size and location of stroke, how quickly the patient received care, the severity of the brain damage, and other health conditions.