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Can Exercise Help Stroke Survivors?

Monday, May 30, 2022 | By: Tracy Markley, C.P.T.

The Journey of a Fitness Trainer and a Stroke Survivor

In November of 2014 I met Gary, who was six months post stroke. When he walked towards me into the gym to meet me, he was using walker and was with, what appeared to be his own personal entourage, by his side.

Earlier that week I had received a phone call from a woman asking me if I could train her brother who had suffered a stroke. He had his sister, brother-in-law, and neighbor by his side.  It was heartwarming to see someone with such a great support team. After we spoke for a few moments, I experienced how much love, support and laughter he had around him.  I thought to myself, "This is a special person."  At that very moment a woman approached him and said "You are going to get through this. Look at me. I had a stroke five years ago." She moved as if she never had one. We all teared up, including Gary, which is very common after a stroke. It was as if it was meant to be for us all to meet that day, at that moment and speak right there at that very spot in the gym, right near her so she could give him encouragement and hope. It was one of the most remarkable and unforgettable first meetings with a client that I had experienced in my 20 years in the fitness industry. I knew at that very moment that Gary and I meeting was a God-send and that it was very important for us to meet.
 
To read Gary's Stroke Recovery Journey, please see my books
 
The Stroke of an Artist, The Journy of a Fitness Trainer and a Stroke Survivor
 
Dear Stroke You Suck, The Journy of a Fitness Trainer and a Stroke Survivor
 
Gary wanted his story shared to help other stroke survivors and care givers.  He often said, "If my story only helps one person, then that one person is worth it." 
This experience resulted in such a remarkable journey that we wanted his story shared to help encourage other stroke survivors and their families.  His story had so much knowledge and great gains to fill a book...and that is exactly what I did, I filled a book in Gary's honor...
 
 
The Stroke of An Artist, The Journey of a Fitness Trainer and a Stroke Survivor. Now available on amazon and renamed to "Dear Stroke, You Suck"
Book Chapters:

1. Gary Walks into the Gym
2. Dear Stroke You Suck
3. Gary Took a Chance
4.  Communication is Essential
5.  Rebuilding the Body and Pathways
6.  The Body Was Made to Move
7. Treadmill and Walking
8.  Homework
9.  Spatial Awareness and Feeling Safe in Movements
10. Numbness and Loss of Sensations
11. The Balance Disc and BOSU Ball
12.  Leg Brace, Foot Drop and Turn Out
13. Poor Posture and Rotator Cuff Injury
14. Pilates
15  Peripheral Vision Loss and Seeing Colors
16.  Gary Meets the Paramedics Who Saved His Life
17  A Soul of Inspiration

In Chapter 5 you will find to be very education about the human body an dhow it functions and moves. This is extremely important as you are trying to regain movement and build new pathways. Here are a few examples
 

Rebuilding the body from the inside out is very important. This is very important knowledge right here:  The brain sends a message to the Multifidus muscle first to stabilize the body before the body moves.  The Transverse muscles, pelvic floor muscle and the Mutifidus is on the same neuromuscular loop.  If the Transverse muscle is weak or not getting clear messages from the brain the Multifidus and the pelvic floor muscles will not work properly.

More about this and how this can be achieved in the book throughout the wonderful journey in Gary's stroke recovery.

Book Available on Amazon

Order Your Copy
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