Physiotherapy (physical therapy)

Physiotherapy helps people regain movement, balance, strength, and walking after a stroke, brain injury, or in conditions like Parkinson’s. It is delivered by a qualified physiotherapist (physical therapist).

1. 1 📋 Assess Goals & starting point
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3. 2 🎯 Task practice The real movements you want
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5. 3 🔁 Build the dose More reps, safely
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7. 4 📈 Review Track & progress

What the evidence says

A major Cochrane review found that physical rehabilitation improves recovery of function and mobility after stroke, including activities of daily living, motor function, balance, and walking speed ^{[Todhunter-Brown A 2025]} . Two findings stand out:

• No single “named” approach is better than another. Therapists should mix the best-evidenced components rather than stick to one school ^{[Todhunter-Brown A 2025]} .
• Dose matters. More practice - and extra rehab added to usual care - tends to produce better outcomes ^{[Todhunter-Brown A 2025]} .

Specific, well-studied techniques include constraint-induced movement therapy for a weaker arm ^{[Corbetta D 2015]} and rhythmic auditory cueing to improve walking in Parkinson’s ^{[Ghai S 2018]} .

Where it helps

• Regaining arm and leg movement and strength after stroke.
• Balance, walking, and reducing falls.
• Parkinson’s movement, gait, and freezing.
• Recovery of mobility after a brain injury.

Honest limits

• Recovery is usually gradual and effortful; there are no shortcuts.
• Gains depend heavily on doing the practice - passive treatment alone does little.
• The “best” programme is the one tailored to your goals and kept up consistently.

How this site helps

The movement and fine-motor activities and games below give extra, low-pressure practice between sessions. They complement - never replace - a physiotherapist’s tailored programme.