Highs, Lows, and Plateaus
A Path to Recovery from Stroke
by
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The brain is amazing and the strength and resilience of the human psyche is equally as amazing. In the following pages, I hope to provide a framework for understanding the stages and process of recovery to inspire stroke survivors and their families to move along the path of recovery. It is important to recognize that “recovery” does not always mean being 100% restored to the pre-injury condition. Recovery is a process and each individual sets their own goals and determines their own acceptable outcome. It is important to set reachable goals and once those are achieved set new goals. Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you. Remember that just because someone else tells you that you cannot do something does not mean it is true. While this book focuses on recovery from stroke, I do want to emphasize that much of the information applies to recovery from any traumatic injury to the nervous system including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. There will be highs, lows and plateaus. It is a long path, but the resilience of the human spirit never ceases to amaze me.
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About the Book
Stroke survivors, health care professionals working in rehabilitation, and anyone whose life has been affected by a stroke, will find critical information in Highs, Lows, and Plateaus. Anne Burleigh Jacobs, PT, PhD, a neuroscientist and a physical therapist with a successful track record of helping patients recover from stroke, explores complex topics in an easy-to-understand and conversational tone. Using real examples and powerful analogies, she leads readers along a path of recovery. From the initial injury, to mechanisms of recovery, to the future of rehabilitation, you will get guidance on: • recognizing the initial signs of a stroke and the importance of emergency treatment; • understanding the physical and neural processes associated with rehabilitation; • understanding the concepts of neuroplasticity that drive recovery of the brain; • providing useful resources and ideas to progress one through the stages of recovery from stroke. Dismissing the negative connotations of “plateau”, this book provides hope and inspiration along the continuum of recovery. Each step along the path is supported by basic science, concepts of neuroplasticity, and the resilience of the human spirit. Filled with illustrations, this guidebook to recovery from stroke also includes information that can be helpful to those who have suffered a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. Dr. Jacobs is innovative and displays initiative in developing new ideas to help people with neurological disabilities. In her private practice, she was among the first in applying the concepts of neuroplasticity in therapy. Jack and Cyndy Bradley, stroke survivors
About the Author
AU's instructions: this will not appear on back cover of soft copy. Anne Burleigh Jacobs, PT, PhD, earned a physical therapy degree from the University of Colorado in 1985 and a doctorate in Neuroscience and Physiology from the Oregon Health Sciences University in 1995. She specializes in post-stroke recovery through her private practice, provides research consultation to technology companies, and teaches neuroscience and movement science courses. Dr. Jacobs was a contributor to the textbook, Neuroscience: Fundamentals for Rehabilitation and has lectured nationally and internationally on topics related to neuroscience, recovery of sensory and motor function, and motor learning. As a co-founder of the Peninsula Stroke Association (now Pacific Stroke Association), Dr. Jacobs remains committed to education and advocacy for stroke prevention and recovery.