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Area of care: Paralysis and the nervous system

Hemiplegia after a stroke

In short

Hemiplegia is paralysis that affects only one side of the body. It is one of the most common after-effects of a stroke.

  • Page reviewed on October 30, 2026

Common signs

  • Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
  • Arm and hand movements take longer to recover than walking
  • Walking, balance and coordination are disturbed, with a risk of falling
  • Tiredness and difficulty concentrating

When to see a doctor

  • A mouth that droops, an arm or leg that loses its strength, or difficulty speaking, coming on suddenlycall the emergency services straight away
  • Any new or unusual symptom that worries you
  • Bleeding while on anticoagulant treatment

What physiotherapy does

For many patients, rehabilitation is a cornerstone of recovery after a stroke. It starts in hospital and can then continue in a rehabilitation centre. It relies on the brain’s ability to let areas that are still healthy take over. The physiotherapist offers physical exercises and works on posture, balance and walking, with one goal: more mobility and independence, including several months after the stroke.

Techniques used at the practice

Depending on the assessment and the patient’s needs: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (Kabat/PNF), Bobath approach, coordination and motor control exercises, Perfetti method, mirror therapy, muscle strengthening, work on balance and walking, and functional electrical stimulation if indicated.

How the sessions go

A motor, sensory and functional assessment identifies the patient’s abilities and difficulties. A personalised programme is drawn up with repetitive, progressive exercises, aimed at recovering movement and independence in daily life.

My pain diaryFill it in every day, show it at your session

Advice

Repeat the prescribed exercises regularly in a safe environment, encourage use of the affected limb without overloading it, adapt daily activities and respect rest periods.

Sources

  1. Accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC) (new tab)Inserm, accessed October 26, 2026
  2. Le quotidien après un accident vasculaire cérébral (new tab)Assurance Maladie (ameli.fr), accessed October 26, 2026
  3. AVC : que faire ? (new tab)Assurance Maladie (ameli.fr), accessed October 26, 2026

Page reviewed on October 30, 2026

This page is for information and does not replace a consultation. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Paralysis and the nervous system

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