Evolve Neuro Rehab

09/08/2025

🌟 Understanding Fatigue After Brain Injury or Stroke 🌟

Fatigue is one of the most common — and frustrating — symptoms after a brain injury or stroke. But did you know there are different types of fatigue? Understanding them can help you manage your energy more effectively.

🔹 Cognitive Fatigue – Mental tiredness after concentrating, problem-solving, reading, or processing information.

💡 Tip: Break tasks into smaller steps, use reminders, and take regular “brain breaks” before you hit a wall.

🔹 Physical Fatigue – Tiredness in the body after physical activity, even simple tasks like walking or lifting objects.

💡 Tip: Pace yourself, use adaptive equipment if needed, and plan demanding activities for when you have the most energy.

🔹 Psychological Fatigue – Emotional exhaustion caused by stress, anxiety, or adjusting to life changes after injury.

💡 Tip: Build in time for relaxation, mindfulness, and enjoyable activities that recharge you emotionally.

💬 Fatigue management isn’t about “pushing through” — it’s about working with your energy, not against it.

📞 Need personalised support? We can help you develop a tailored fatigue management plan.

📧 hello@evolveneurorehab.co.uk |
📱 07763 735251
🌐 www.evolveneurorehab.co.uk

30/07/2025

🧠 Not all strokes are the same – here’s how they differ.

At Evolve Neuro Rehab, we tailor rehab based on the type of stroke you've had:

🔹 TACS (Total Anterior Circulation Stroke)
A more severe stroke affecting large areas of the brain. It often impacts movement, speech, and vision.

🔹 PACS (Partial Anterior Circulation Stroke)
Affects a smaller part of the same area. Symptoms may be similar to TACS but less extensive.

🔹 POCI (Posterior Circulation Infarct)
Involves the back of the brain. This can affect balance, coordination, and vision.

🩸 What caused the stroke?
There are two main types:

Ischaemic stroke – caused by a blockage or clot. This is the most common type.

Haemorrhagic stroke – caused by bleeding in or around the brain.

Knowing the stroke type and classification is key to delivering personalised, effective neuro rehab. That’s what we do best.

💬 Want to know how we can help?
📍 www.evolveneurorehab.co.uk
📧 hello@evolveneurorehab.co.uk

Neuro Occupational Therapy rehabilitation for stroke, brain injury and other neurological impairments. Based in Blandford, North Dorset.

27/07/2025

🖐️ Latest Evidence-Based Practice in Upper Limb Rehab After Brain Injury or Stroke 🧠

Did you know that intensive, repetitive, and meaningful task practice is the cornerstone of effective upper limb rehabilitation?

At Evolve Neuro Rehab, we use the latest clinical guidelines and neuroplasticity principles to support recovery after stroke or brain injury — tailoring interventions to your individual goals and abilities.

✅ What does the evidence say?
🔹 High repetitions and task-specific training improve motor recovery
🔹 Bilateral and constraint-induced movement therapy show strong results
🔹 Technology, such as functional electrical stimulation (FES) and virtual reality, can enhance outcomes when combined with hands-on therapy
🔹 Early, frequent, and personalised intervention gives the best chance for improvement

We work closely with clients and case managers to deliver effective, goal-focused programmes that promote real-life functional use of the affected arm.

📍Serving Dorset and surrounding areas
📞 hello@evolveneurorehab.co.uk
🌐 www.evolveneurorehab.co.uk

26/07/2025

👁️ Visual Problems After Stroke or Brain Injury 🧠

Did you know that vision can be affected after a stroke or brain injury — even if your eyes themselves are healthy?

Two common visual impairments we see are hemianopia and visual inattention (neglect). They might seem similar, but they’re very different.

🔹 Hemianopia is a loss of vision in one half of the visual field (often the same side in both eyes). It’s a physical problem where the brain can’t process visual input from that side. People might bump into things or not see food on one-half of their plate.

🔹 Visual Inattention (Neglect) is an attention problem. The brain is getting the visual information, but it isn’t paying attention to it. People may be unaware there’s even a problem — they may ignore people or objects on one side, or only shave/make-up one half of their face.

👓 As an Occupational Therapist, I help people recognise and adapt to these changes, using strategies, therapy, and education to support independence in everyday life.

Want to know more or book an assessment?
📞 07516714258
🌐 www.evolveneurorehab.co.uk
📧 hello@evolveneurorehab.co.uk

20/07/2025

🧠 What is Neuro Occupational Therapy?
And how is it different from Physio or Speech Therapy?

If you’ve had a stroke, brain injury, or live with conditions like MS or Parkinson’s, you may hear about different therapies — but what do they all do?

Here’s a quick guide ⬇️

🔹 Neuro Occupational Therapy (OT)
We focus on how your condition affects your everyday life. This might include:

- Memory or concentration problems

- Fatigue management

- Planning your day

- Getting back to work, hobbies or household tasks

- Using tools or techniques to feel more independent at home

We look at what matters to you — then help you rebuild the skills or find smart ways to adapt.

🔹 Physiotherapy
Focuses on movement, strength, and balance — helping your body work better after neurological changes.

🔹 Speech & Language Therapy (SLT)
Supports communication (speech, understanding, social interaction) and swallowing difficulties.

➡️ The three therapies often work together, each bringing a different piece of the puzzle to your rehab journey.

At Evolve Neuro Rehab, we’re here to support you with practical, personalised strategies — to help you live well with your condition.

📩 Get in touch to learn more or book an assessment.

www.evolveneurorehab.co.uk

Neuro Occupational Therapy rehabilitation for stroke, brain injury and other neurological impairments. Based in Blandford, North Dorset.

19/07/2025

🧠 Understanding Neurological Fatigue

Neurological fatigue is a common and often debilitating symptom following stroke or acquired brain injury. It's different from typical tiredness — often described as an intense, unpredictable exhaustion that affects cognitive, physical and emotional functioning.

This type of fatigue doesn't always correlate with activity levels and is not always relieved by sleep or rest. It can be triggered by minimal stimulation or effort, and significantly impacts participation in everyday activities.

🔎 Key Features of Neurological Fatigue:

• Disproportionate tiredness after small tasks
• Slow recovery time after activity
• Reduced concentration and processing speed
• Emotional sensitivity or irritability
• May fluctuate without clear pattern

🧭 Management Strategies:

✔️ Pacing – Incorporate regular rest periods and avoid overexertion
✔️ Planning – Spread demanding tasks throughout the week
✔️ Prioritisation – Focus on essential activities to conserve energy
✔️ Environmental control – Minimise noise, distractions, and busy settings
✔️ Communication – Educate others on fatigue-related needs
✔️ Monitoring – Use fatigue diaries to identify patterns and triggers

👥 Support from occupational therapists and the wider neuro-rehabilitation team is key to managing neurological fatigue and promoting sustainable engagement in daily life.

Get in touch today if you need some support managing your fatigue post-brain injury.

18/07/2025

🧄 Middle Aisle Magic! ✂️

As a Neurological Occupational Therapist, I love discovering affordable, everyday tools that can make a big difference in independence and confidence after stroke or brain injury.

Today, I spotted a garlic press and herb chopper in Lidl’s middle aisle that are ideal for people who have use of only one hand or arm. They cost £2.99 each.

✅ The garlic press is easy to grip and doesn’t require two hands

✅ The herb chopper has a rolling blade that glides through herbs with minimal effort and control

These kinds of tools reduce frustration in the kitchen and help people get back to doing what they enjoy – whether that’s cooking, contributing at home, or just having a bit more control over daily tasks. 💪

Let me know if you’ve seen other helpful finds in the middle aisle!

21/05/2024

Neuromuscular electrical Stimulation (NMES) is just one adjunct Occupational Therapists can use to help a person recover arm movement after a stroke. As you watch the video, you will see at the beginning that there isn’t a normal shoulder curvature. Instead, there is a dip – this is shoulder subluxation. This dip is caused by the humeral bone moving away from the shoulder joint because of weakness in the surrounding muscles caused by the stroke.

The NMES sends electrical impulses to the nerves, which causes the muscles to move. When the NMES is on, it helps the muscles pull the humeral bone back into the shoulder joint.

There is much evidence that NMES can reduce shoulder subluxation, and it is recommended in the latest National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke in the UK and Ireland.

Feel free to drop me a message if you have any comments or questions.

*** Video shared with permission. ***

23/02/2024

Electrical Stimulation, also known as functional electrical stimulation or neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an adjunct used to help restore function within a weak arm if the person affected by a stroke has no/minimal movement.

By applying electrodes to the skin it activates the underlying muscles, particularly key muscle groups involved in the reach-to-grasp movement.

This video has the electrodes placed to encourage wrist extension and thumb abduction, which are parts of the movements needed for grasping objects like glass or tin. Have a look at what position your wrist, fingers and thumb are in next time you reach for a glass. During my session, I like to keep it functional by reaching for a glass or a can and practising grasp and release.

Electrical Stimulation is recommended in The National Clinical Guideline for Stroke for the UK and Ireland (2023):

“People with stroke who are unable to exercise against gravity independently should be considered for adjuncts to exercise (such as neuromuscular or functional electrical stimulation), to support participation in exercise training.”

There are some contraindications to using it, so always speak to a healthcare professional before doing so.

Enjoy the video and I'm happy to answer any questions. Feel free to share also.

Ciaran

22/02/2024

I offer specialist neurological rehabilitation in and around Blandford and the wider Dorset area to help you recover after a stroke or brain injury. I also have experience with managing long-term neurological conditions like Parkinson's or MS.

I've had a long-term project end recently, so I have more availability to take on new clients. Feel free to message me here or check out the website for more information: www.evolveneurorehab.co.uk or contact me on 07763 735251

Feel free to share this post.

Ciaran

Neuro Occupational Therapy rehabilitation for stroke, brain injury and other neurological impairments. Based in Blandford, North Dorset.

25/01/2024

Today, Thursday 25th January, is Stroke Prevention Day.

We're asking people to check for atrial fibrillation (AF). Hundreds of thousands of people are living with atrial fibrillation but don't know it! This is because not everyone has obvious symptoms.

AF is when your heart has an irregular rhythm. This can cause the blood to pool and form clots, which can travel from your heart to your brain, blocking off blood flow and causing a stroke.

Atrial fibrillation can happen to anyone at any age, but you're more likely to get it the older you get.

The Stroke Association asks you to check yourself or your friends and family at home with a simple pulse check. Please take a look at the video below for how to check your pulse.

🚨Atrial fibrillation is a cause of 1 in 5 strokes, but half a million people are living with AF and don't know it.Atrial fibrillation (AF) is when your hear...

24/12/2023

We want to take this time to wish you all a wonderful and healthy Christmas. Let's hope you’ve done all your shopping, wrapped all your presents, and now you’re sitting in front of the TV watching a Christmas classic with a cup of tea (or sherry, we won't tell) and enjoying some treats.

Have a good one. See you in the New Year xx