update on my post stroke client

[Laura Srygley]

I saw my client for the second time after his stroke today. He reported that after the last session he noticed some significant changes. Ever since the stroke he said he could feel a disconnect between his right and left brain, and that it took a lot of energy to sense that all the time. After the first session he said that was gone! He still has the lower functioning of his left side, but the energy drain had receded, and his brain felt 'more connected'.
He also reported that he feels that his AB sessions are the only time his brain can completely 'take a break', that after the stroke it has to work harder all the time. He loves his sessions! I am very intrigued with the possibilities for stroke patients, and would like to talk to the stroke clinic that they have at one of the large hospitals here. If anyone else has stories to share I'd love to hear about them.

[Cameron West]

Hi Laura ~ Wonderful to hear yours and Diane's experience with clients that are post CVA (stroke). The water has such an amazing built in support system for the neurologically impaired because of it's inherent properties of assist and resist. Buoyancy supports them while being floated and hydrostatic pressure gives just enough challenge and or push for a stretch to open up without being manually forced. These aspects allow an invitation for the body to trust it's own abilities empowering the client, instead of making them feel dependent they can see, sense and feel signs of independent movement and this gives hope.
The rotational movement of the torso in most of aquatic techniques has a direct affect on the
central nervous system. Soothing and normalizing the functional sympa and para sympathetic nervous systems. Also affects the structural sensory and motor divisions from the brain down the spine to the tailbone. In the spine we see the division of the two systems, but in the brain we see their integration.
All that said, my sense is the most important thing that happens in these sessions is the relational piece of practitioner/client. Pure acceptance of the being in your arms, that they are beautiful in their survival of what ever life has brought, allowing the protocols and labels to move to a place where it is not your overriding choreography. Sounds like you are doing this..thus his appreciation for your presence and acceptance of him as a whole person.

[Diane Tegtmeier]

I'm sure that Cameron West has lots of data and experience with stroke.

[Diane Tegtmeier]

Laura this is so inspiring. I used to work at a rehabilitation hospital as a social worker (1986-1994) and ever since I began working in the water, I thought how this waould be just the right kind of therapy for stroke and head trauma. Your experience points out the value of the bi-lateral movement inherent in our work, especially healing dance in enhancing bi-lateral brain communication. This is definitely something to document well to develop a research base.

I once worked with an 87 yr old man 9 years post stroke. His r- arm was in a painful contracture, folded in on itself. He, too experienced a strong neglect of his right side. As a former successful watercolor painter of landscapes, it was very sad for him to not be able to paint anymore. He'd given up feeling anything but pain in that arm. After each session, he was able to open the arm more than he had in 9 years and was pain-free for several days following the treatment. After weekly sessions for a couple of months, he felt a lot better, but it also got too difficult for his caregiver to bring him up to Harbin. Too bad for both of us, because as I worked on his arm, he would gaze at the trees around the pool and reflect on and imagine how he would paint them, which gave him much peace. In addition, he was able to find release and comfort in some longings he had around his parents. We can't forget, when we document the specific symptom relief, that often other life-enhancing healing happens, too.

Therefore, I can't help but think that aquatic bodywork initiated soon after stroke, like you've done, will be of amazing benefit in preventing contractures and all the other long-term sequele of strokes. I expect that adding energy work with touch, color and sound can also have a healing effect on the brain tissue and it's peripheral effects.