Use the Mirror Technique

I am not sure if this is a term currently being used in rebab circles but it is a strategy that I have been using to strengthen my affected left hand, arm and leg.

What I do is mimic with my left hand the same movements that I can naturally perform with my unaffected right side. I do the same with my arm and leg.

You can be very creative, personally I do it with everything like bouncing and catching a ball, opening doors squeezing those exercise hand grippers to carrying my empty dishes back to the sink and shampooing my hair

These are a few examples. The way that I look at it if my right hand can do it then so can my left.

I have a marvelous relationship between myself,  my brain, and both my right side and left side.

Together we are totally committed to making( us/myself) the best that I can be.

You will push yourself and you will discover new pains that you have never before experienced. This is good. It is your muscles and nerves waking up.

Even if you can't do it, do it anyway. By attempting something you are at least firing up the neurons in the brain.

It is similar to the visualization techniques employed by most of the great athletes. Tiger Woods sees the ball leaving the tee before each shot. All the great one's play the game in their mind before and during the game itself.

Their are countless stories of the same techniques used by American POW's while being guests of the infamous Hanoi Hilton during their captivity in Vietnam. Presidential candidate  John McCain is a good example.

Do this and you will improve. How much? Who knows? But I guarantee you this, just like anything else in life if you want to improve at anything you need to practice and you will be better than if you didn't try.

It's coming on two years for me since my stroke and I continue to see improvements daily.

Like any new exercise that you take on make sure that if you have a doctor or therapist always check with them first to make sure that you are not causing yourself any harm to yourself.

Just never ever give up on yourself. You need always to have a positive attitude and commit to yourself.
 

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