Physiotherapy has long been known to help restore physical abilities after a serious accident or injury. However, if an individual is able to return from an injury with the help of experts in physiotherapy from London even stronger than before (not necessarily physically), this is definitely a tribute to the patient’s focus and self-determination. Lee Cartwright is one such person who was able to better himself after his stroke in 2011. Reporter Barnaby Davis writes about Lee’s amazing journey in his article for The Guardian:

Lee Cartwright, 41, from Nazeing, collapsed as he got out of bed in 2011, leaving him with no movement on his left side and suffering from depression.

After extensive physiotherapy, Lee learned to walk again and regained some movement in his arm.

Eye on the prize

All throughout his physiotherapy, Lee never lost sight of his goal to become normal once again. After regaining the use of his limbs, he experienced a burning desire to give back in gratitude for his second chance at life. He wanted to pay it forward by becoming an instructor.

He has now completed a course run by InstructAbility, a programme specifically aimed at training disabled people to become fitness instructors, and works at Waltham Abbey swimming pool in Roundhills.

Mr Cartwright said: “I have experienced how beneficial exercise has been to me and my continued rehabilitation and without it I would not have.the movement in my hand that I now have.

"The programme has given me a fantastic opportunity to help support other disabled people the same way”

How physiotherapy helps

Exercise, manipulation, massage, and electrical treatment are important factors in rehabilitation. For relatively mild cases, physiotherapy focuses on helping patients regain the ability to move and prevent complications. For severe cases, the goal is to make patients as independent as possible.

Moral support

Any capable physio in London knows the importance of having friends or family supporting patients as they undergo physiotherapy. They can get involved in the on-going sessions then take over once the patient has left the hospital premises to continue exercising at home.

Recovery Tips

Experienced practitioners like CK Physiotherapy recommend that after the initial sessions at the clinic or hospital, patients need to continue on their own, tracking their progress in a notebook or journal. Once they are strong enough, they should consult the physiotherapist about resuming sports activity. The trick with therapy is to be patient with the process and the results.

(Article Excerpt and Image from “http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11479864.Stroke_victim_becomes_fitness_instructor/”, 18 September 2014, The Guardian)