Hands down the best series of videos for understanding regaining movement after stroke that I have come across (and I've done a LOT of looking).

After following your recommendations and doing lots of your exercises daily since 3 months, my muscle tone goes down and the muscles in leg and arm really relax gradually. Thank you so much, Dr. Tara! I am watching one video every evening before sleep and watch them repeatedly to implement as many stretching as possible. Great results, especially with the very basic, calm long stretches. 🧡💖🧡

Hi guys! Just to clarify one point that came up today. When you do the exercise with your legs crossed the involved leg is on the bottom. The weight of the top leg (uninvolved) places more downward pressure on the involved leg to give more weight bearing through the foot.

I love your vedios doctor realy helpeed me so much iam from egypt and lam 40 years old and l have a stroke from 4 months and you helped me so much and given me a hope thank you so much for help others

Seriously you are awesome.... Kinda sad where some therapists can't relate but you can on KZfaq especially the video being three years old. Thank you.

i am a 70 year old man who had a stroke 5 months ago. Your videos explain what I am going through. Hopefully your videos will help me to walk correctly in the future. I am happy to take it on the gradient that you present. I am working simple to hard. Thanks!

11 years post stroke and I'm loving your videos. Im doing well but still work on improving my self

HANDS UP YOUR AWESOME LOVE THE WAY YOUR HELPING ME

You are the best teacher!!!

excellent! finally a tool for all the people with neurological issues! i will never thank you enough

Hi Dr Tobias! Oh my! our videos are very educational. Thank you so much for taking the time to create them. I wish to pick your brain about my particular situation. But first here's a little background on the matter. It's been over almost 2 years since my stroke/seizures. I was in a wheelchair for a couple of months as I couldn't walk after I woke from a coma. It took a lot of work and tears but I began to take some steps after a couple more months. Since then, my gait has been poor. At the time, it was believed that it was because I only started walking again after that much time of being unable to. Well, about 3 months ago I noticed that I was walking on the outside of my foot, of course I brought this up with my providers and care team. I saw a slew of experts in an effort to figure out what the problem was and a way to resolve it. In one of my doctor's notes, I noticed the phrase "inverted foot". Up to that point I didn't know how to medically describe what was happening to my foot and I'm grateful for that. I was able to use that phrase to search for resources about that on the internet. Luckily, I saw your video on "Inverted Foot" and there, you described exactly what I was experiencing. Well long story short, I followed your advice and was able to see an orthotist about a suitable brace for my foot. However, that didn't magically solve my problem as I expected it would, thankfully, they are sources was very portraits about this situation refusing to give me any brace until he sees a recommendation that would manage both situations simultaneously. This is because the problem was not just "inverted foot" but there is something else added to the mix. So, the thing is that as I attempt to walk, my toes point upward and stay pointed that way for the duration of the walk and the only time they stay down is when I stand on both feet and focus on putting a bit more weight towards the tippy toes of the involved foot, which oftentimes leads to me almost toppling over. What are your thoughts on this? I'm still working on finding a physical therapist that focuses on neuro rehabilitation. I've not been lucky yet in that regard. Please do let me know what you think and/or point me in the right direction where to go searching. Thank you very much for your help. I appreciate you. Thanks again for taking the time to make these videos. You are a godsent.

I like the videos with the break which helps with progression. One process at a time and get next progressive step. Thank you for your time and investment towards our recovery!

Thank you very much. I was diagnosed with foot drop and given an FES unit but I realise I have been misdiagnosed as my knee locks out and I turn over on my foot. I have started doing your e exercises and already managed to stop the foot rolling. I will continue with these and show your videos to my physio. Thank you again.

This is a great video I started doing this on my front steps after seeing your other video with the steps. I didn’t do them every day but I do enjoy them. Especially since I thought I could not get on my bottom step I was nervous but it was super easy than I thought. I am planning on bringing them back into my routine. I enjoy these videos and spasticity and tone are my biggest problems which is something my therapists also said . Thanks and please continue .

Thank you very much for your service to others.

I had my stroke in late November 2018 and I love watching your videos very inspirational

Every since I have been watching your videos, I realized you were describing my problem. I have been doing physical therapy since June 2019 and my foot and leg never changed. I am starting your exercises. I hope it makes a difference. Thank you.

Wao Dr ,u are such a blessing to me. After I got frustrated about progressive exercises for stroke patients. Av learnt alot. U're God sent. Keep doing the good job. U inspire us young physical therapists. I really wanna learn more about treatment protocol for stroke patients . Thanks a million

Just adding a creative taught to one of your tip. When legs are crossed, uninvolved leg over involved leg for weight bearing. Grabbing your involved wrist around un involved leg helps keeping fingers opened and to send gripping signals to the brain. Hope it helps all viewers. Wishing you all speedy recovery

Makes a lot of sense I hope u can add more upper extremities exercises please

Thanks a lot for your videos. My mother has benefit a lot from your tutorials.

So much luvs from Albania, Doc❤️❤️

Brilliant. I especially like where you introduced the shoulder turn into your pattern, Dr. That is where you got me. Call it a precursor, in this case an intent to act in the future...action and intent. Again, I love how you had determined in a previous video that learning to stand motionless for an extended period is an important teaching moment in the brain for learning how the motor-neuro-sensory system coordinates and times the transition from extension to flexion. I can see it in my mind as the internal actions of an escapement, that momentary click & hesitation we used to hear distinctively coming from inside the mysterious inner workings of the loud, spring-driven wall clock hanging in Aunt Ollie's kitchen. An ultimate coordination of rotational forces coupled with net vector movements at right angles along all 3 dimensions. You're turning 2 dimensional geometry into 3 dimensional trigonometry. So simply stated you managed to create a 3 dimensional movement pattern out of a two dimensional exercise. You froze the pose for a second, and in doing so established a clear demarcation in the mind of an initial first step in a continuation pattern. It took a bit but I think I understand you now. I can no longer think as fast as you speak but I def like the challenge. The shoulder turn then coordinates with the opposing hip turn/sway, which times the alternating arm/opposing leg swing & dorsi-flexing foot action. I know from other courses the medical profession likes to break anatomical locations down with Latin terms along horizontal and vertical axes to make it more convenient for doctors from different cultures to converse. Dorsi, meaning dorsal or on the top, in this case, on top of the foot. Hope that's correct. And what follows intent and action? It's entirely dependent on if there was any action that followed in the first place, because if we hesitate too long and stop there is nothing, and wow, aren't we humans good at both overthinking and inaction when faced with weighing the value of our intentions against the risks of our failing if we dare to take action? No stopping allowed. We soldier on. Results then of course follow actions, and then hopefully a little feedback cometh while making adjustments to our gait. Dr. Tobias's Philosophy of Motion on the Surface of a Sphere. Move over Isaac Newton. No, I am not mocking you, Dr. I love it. You are the exact opposite of your peers. You have zero qualms about sharing what you know.

Thank you for all your hard work Dr Tobias you've taught me more than any physical therapy I went to or neurologist that I want to we really need your guidance and once again thank you it helps me so much

Love your videos , teaching style and pace. Thanks for your sharing your skills !

Idk y the fkkkk would someone dislike such a great video

I absolutely adore your videos. I’m new at KZfaq so I don’t know how to search by date, I’m trying to reference your first two videos part part one that says watch first

Believe, believe in recovery, it will come, it takes years, recovery can be done decades after the event. My recommendation is to put a dumbbell on the arm and leg in order to get a stretch. Make circular movements of the hands, legs, head. Gentle circular movements in all positions standing, sitting, lying down. Transfer weight to the injured leg, climb stairs with the injured leg. Sleep on a hard surface. Good luck with God's help.

God bless you. You are amazing

You could do the low seated exercises, seated on a chair with the feet elevated onto the low stool/step instead for people who have too much difficulty getting down to sit on the stool. They may just need assistance getting the involved leg onto the step.

I love this..it’s very heard to do but it’s a good plan thank you.

Thank you for your guidance and video clips .trying to stand straighbut it hard to move forward.iit takes times to do it.hoping I can do it in the future.

thank you so much, i have started all the exercises and also the standing and i already see results. thanks to you i understand more my body and the steps i need to make to come where i want after my stroke.

Thank you so much ! Just your voice makes work ! Can I email you and tell you my case ?

Have MS but struggles are same. The hypertonicity causes my foot to point downward and PTs in the past have tried to force the dorsiflexion. Frustrating for them and for me. So glad to have found you here before resorting to an invasive procedure

Great video Dr Tobias thank you!

I have just come across these! Thank you fantastic..15 years ago bleed on brain or so more than likely very bad habits.. i didnt get any spasticity arm or leg.. they removed a bit of my cerebellum to reduce swelling. As a result I always look drunk.. I can walk a bit now. I use to walk "to the left"in a circle effectively...it wasnt funny, but saw one of your videos explained everything....thank you...I swing my leg...Im not conf on other leg.

Thank you very much for your videos, they are very very helpful.

I'm focused on loading the left leg when walking with quad can trying to mimic single canebytmy brain won't let me be more confident goes into don't fall mode hard to concentrate to load the affected leg I'll keep practicing Thank you you're the best I wish you were up in Washington it eve great to do a virtual consultation right now I'm at a point where I'm trying to walk but I am walking with a clock game. Pretty decently but ready for the next progression. Thank you!

I can't quite follow the terms but I do enjoy the videos a lot

MY DOCTOR SAID I HAVE LOST MUSCLE STRENGTH IN MY LEG AND MY BACK MUSCLES ARE SO TIGHT THAT IS THE REASON I CANNOT STAND OR WALK. ANY THOUGHTS DR. TOBIAS? WISH I HAD A THERAPIST LIKE YOU. YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing

Thanks

Thanks for sharing this video.great content.

This was great and detailed..Thank you!!

madam i cannot sit stand and walk please suggest me excercise

I should add that I have been walking pretty well after left side weakness from a stroke 18 months ago, I would say my balance is pretty good, but my toes are still a problem.

I I'm new in your content but listening to your theory makes just the sense to resolve lifting up the affected leg. I had a stroke in 2021. I have the probl of lifting up my left leg from the ground. My difficulty is that,the leg wiould seem stuck into the ground,and I will remain poised in that position for a minute or so before imt able to lift it up and follow up with my other leg. Now I would need to transfer weight from the former ground stuck leg to the healthy leg. This also becomes rocket science. The point I wanted to bring forward is; that everything you saying makes sense, but I can't see what you're doing behind your talking face.thank you

Multiple Sclerosis. Diagnosed in 2005. Before the confirmed diagnosis test did show some schematic issue.

Going back to this. I am beginning to walk without a cane. Minimally as it completely changes my gait, so I mostly use trekking poles to mimic a correct (arm/leg swings) walking motion. My issue is the toe lift up of toes 3, 4, &5 (roast beef, none, and wee wee wee). I can scrunch down to gather a towel, but I cannot lift up.

Great information. In the case where the person can not flex both knees at all , the person is stuck in full knee extension after a brain injury. Where do you begin. What helps is that the person has dorsiflexion and extension to both ankles.

Please need more exerciseabout hand fingers

Thanks a lot for this great content. Quick question- How many times in a day would you recommend doing these exercises? I understand from your video on neuroplasticity that one should try doing these exercises as much as they can to break the pattern. Still, can you please recommend the minimum number of times one should definitely do these exercises each day based on your clinical experience.

Duration for weight bearing

I wear an AFO, should I stand and do these exercises with it on? I’m already walking with the AFO and cane, I’m 31 months post stroke, but I’m sure I have a lot of spasticity in my leg. I see that this question was already asked. Thank you.

Pl guide me my upper arm is not able to lif suuestsomvedios of rexercise

I don't have a stiff leg, I have toes that lock up, and my foot turns into a paw. I can control the stiff knee nut the toes are driving me crazy., as soon as I put weight on the foot it locks up.

I want to know how to position in early flaccid stage.

Thanks again for another great series of videos. I'm 18 months post stroke and am walking with and without a cane depending on conditions around me. I've just started the progression in this video (for about 3 days now) to see if loading the "flexure pattern" you talk about in this video will help my walking gait.. One modification, that I'm trying, is to sit in low rocking chair while weight bearing on my affected leg. I then rock back and forth while leaning on my affected leg with my elbow to increase the pressure. I think this is helping but I'd like to know if you think this is productive. Am looking forward Progressions 2 and 3 in a few more days.

This can be relevant for MS as well

How do we manage the patients that still have a high risk of having a new stroke, with hight bp, and cardiac issues, embolism? how do we work with them without creating the possibility for a new stroke to reappear ?

How can someone correct over extension of the knee on an unaffected leg??

Just want to say why my foot. Only moves when i stretch it moves but is still numb when it just hangs there is it trying to come back

Love your videos!!

I I have a question when I try and get up to stand my knees pull together and everything tightens

affected stroke leg also has arthritic knee, making all thid difficult. any ideas?

How long to stand to get ride from spasticity

I’m a bit late for comments but... I have MS and always tell myself I have foot drop. But I’ve also question this a bit. I once went to the movies and had a nice recliner and during the whole movie I positioned my involved leg against my uninvolved leg so the foot was quite flexed. After the movie I walked right up the stairs with almost no problem.... seemed almost like a flook at the time but these videos are helping me question everything I have been telling myself since I started having issues. Thank you Dr Tara this along with my yoga will be something I will continue to practice

Thank u maam

Hi Dr. Tara, how often should I be doing this exercises daily and how many reps? How can I tell when I am ready to move on to the next progression? Thank you!

Could I ask if riding a stationary bicycle is helpful or not please

Dorsiflex? I can cross my legs no problem and cross my legs no problems but I have dropfooot on my left leg I believe. I have burning sensa toon in my left leg foot! I’ve been walking for about 4 months. But my heel hurt now and then!

What if both your legs are affected by the stroke

just want to ask mam how cani av9id smoking cigarrette hope you can help me

are these exercises to be done with afo on I have yet to recover my ham string use my quad on the affected side is pretty strong not near the other side what I am concerned about is when I walk I lurch to the left the left being my affected side I can walk with out using a cane butswing my leg around when I do

How about (when you’re trying to get somewhere) you get a sudden warm feeling down an affected limb (or leg in my case)? And no- it’s not pee, either… Fatigue would set in around the same time (I’m betting it was a bout of neurofatigue). I had my stroke a month ago, and I’ve been doing all the exercises my PT/OT as well…

I have foot drop from neuropathy. Will these exercises help me? Or is it hopeless to improve my situation?

My partner has a spastic hamstring and her knee always stays a little flexed while walking. While sitting her involved leg is flexed that it bends and goes beneath the chair and she is unable to get that leg forward. Her quads are weak. But during walking her foot goes in plantarflexion and inversion. What to do?

How many minutes do you hold each position? Thanks so much

Hi! How many repetitions for each exercise? Thank you 8n advance

i have pain in the top of my foot when going up on my toes

Hi Tara. I just started watching your videos. I like what you are showing and how you present the exercises. I however do get a bit lost sometimes as I am not medically trained and don't know much of the nomenclature you use. Like "Dorsey" and "Flex" and the muscle names like "Tibialias". I think for many of us its like having to learn a new language. Perhaps you could include a laymen"s simple definition as you go along. Thank you.

Can these done to the old age person with over weight. Please suggest me

Kudos for your nobel work, after stroke i am not able to move my foot in eversion pl. help

It's been 9 years since my stroke still not walking my left leg will not bend

It’s so sad for me to find your videos 5 years post brain surgery. I don’t know if it’s too late me to learn from your videos. My entire left side is effected by the surgery, I have issues with my shoulders, with my gait, with my balance, my toes curl and the list goes on. Can i undo the bad habits I develop?

You have helped me soooo much to understand about spasticity, I am greatful. Please,will this help with a leg that is not extending to a stand. My brother's leg has started to move at his hip, but I can't get his knee to straighten. I'm doing the exercises with the wedge for the spasticity in his foot. But his ligaments and tendons seem not to want to loosen to extend the knee. Even some muscles in the thigh. They are starting to move some but I can't get the leg out of the bend at the knee. I've had 3 strokes myself. And was able by God, and a lot of walking and balancing to not go into high tone. But working my brother out of his very, very high tone has been very heart breaking and difficult. I get one area better and another gets tight. I just can't get his leg straight. Not sure if it's because his knee is not opening especially at the top of the knee cap, of if it's more muscles in the thigh that needs to lengthen. Soo frustrating. But thank you for all you do and give.

Will these really help my tone if I am 2 1/2 years post hemmoragic stroke?

I am the incomplete spinal cord injury,, can't do sit to stand

You are doing a great job i have a dought if a person with circumdactory gait will back to normal walking pattern if she tried to walk 1 month like that

Why is the other side of my face feeling numbness during my post stroke?

Wish I could go to your clinic for evaluation and help but don't live near there. I am right hemiplegia for 25 years from a brain tumor. It never came back. First 21 years I managed to function well staying very active with kids and ministry. I walked usually without a cane unless hiking or uneven ground and fell only 3 times leaving bruises within 21 years. Now in past 4 years I’ve had a desk job and deterioted. I have fallen 3x a year always leaving bruises or even hurt tailbone doing simple things, this year 4x . I am back in therapy for past year and still falling even though they’ve strengthened my muscles. Current therapist not good at watching for mechanics. I do a lot of home exercises but know I'm missing mechanics help. I also got a sit/stand desk to help. Hamstring doesn't work well ( tummy leg lift really hard) can't get get over hurdles backward well always goes around it at least a bit Knees - don't lift high well when I walk - the locking has reduced drastically Foot is really bad- can lift toes but cannot move to side. Cannot do heel raise by itself the other foot has to also do it. Using a wobble board and have yoga ball thing for balance practice Ankle is improving, I think - I can deep squat holding one side of parallel bar with one hand. I think Kurtis fixed my hip movement - still do the exercises because I am not sure. My sit to stands and walking look awful. Whereas in the past some wouldn't even notice I was handicapped until winter came around and spasticity really kicked in. Sometimes my husband would tell me to limp more when using my handicap placard 😂 No need now. Any suggestions? I try to figure out where I fit in the ”progression” by trial and error but never sure.

Thank you so much 😍how can we know that we can move onto progression 2 ?

Hi Find your videos to be very helpful Is there a way to schedule an online appointment with you I have written a couple of emails to you but didn’t get a response from your team Please help

Hi, would can you do for stuff ankle on foot drop. I also have very tight hips that don't allow me to walk well. Thank you

Dear doctor I am suffering with mnd(als), please give the suggestion

Hi good day just wanted to ask when my is at rest I can move my finger freely but when I wanted to move it but itself it cannot...what I should I do to move it

Dr Tara, in my previous comment you replied that 5 years post surgery that it isn’t too late to begin to correct all the bad habits . I have been watching your videos but I am lost in terms of the sequence of the videos. My surgery to remove a brain cavernoma left me hemipligea with severe numbness and propioception. I currently walk with a cane but constantly trip on my own foot since I am not able to lift my toes when I walk. I had severe spasticity in my toes and ankle. Can you assist me by advising the correct sequence of your videos. I know I have a lot of work and it would help if I have a list . Thank you so much.

Should I remove my AFO when starting progression one exercises?

Hi hello, are these exercises best suited for individuals whom experienced a recent injury (0-6months) or do they also aid individuals whom have had an injury for a longer amount of time?