How Long Does Numbness Last After a Stroke

How Long Does Numbness Last After a Stroke?

Most stroke patients feel numbness after a stroke. But many wonder how long does numbness last after a stroke.

That is the focus of this article.

It is a common thing. And it’s called, appropriately enough, stroke numbness. This is often a fleeting yet continuous prickling sensation. There are also instances when there’s a complete loss of sensation. 

If you have these sensations, know that you are not alone. It is common for stroke patients. Does it go away? Yes, it does.

How Long Does Numbness Last After a Stroke?

So how long will this last? Well, it actually depends on the person and their recovery. However, most patients do say that their numbness goes away after spending a few months in recovery and rehabilitation. 

You may also feel other sensations change after you suffer from a stroke. For instance, you may feel tingling sensations, heaviness, hypersensitivity, pain, feelings of being wet or underwater, and some inconsistencies when it comes to feeling temperature. You may also feel some difficulties detecting the position of the limb. 

As we said, it depends on the person and their recovery. Those who have suffered a more serious stroke with more damages, the numbness often lingers. However, it does go away after some time in rehabilitation.

How To Deal With Stroke Numbness

Just because stroke numbness is common, it doesn’t mean that you should take it lightly. It could be a debilitating side-effect, and it’s important to deal with it right away.

Your recovery depends on the intensity and the frequency of your rehabilitation. Rehab has a great impact on your recovery. According to studies, stroke patients recover faster with regular rehab sessions. 

Treating Stroke Numbness

So how is stroke numbness treated? Well, there are a number of treatments that help with stroke numbness. Usually, doctors will recommend the following treatments with your rehab:

  • Electrical stimulation. In this type of treatment, the patient’s body will be stimulated with electrical impulses. It works very well if used during the first month after a stroke. 
  • Sensory Re-Education. This is usually done to help stroke patients interpret familiar sensations in a lot of different ways. Sensory re-education may be a slow-going process, but it is proven to be effective.
  • Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a holistic approach to bringing sensations back to the patient’s body after a stroke. It offers the same effects as electrical stimulation.

At home, you can also try a few things to alleviate the numbness after suffering from a stroke. Here’s a few tips to help you or your loved one recover from these sensations. 

Additional Tips

Try some texture exercises. The practice goes as this: gather a few different objects with varying textures and sizes. Place them on a table, and do not let the patient look at them. Once the patient picks them up, ask them to distinguish the differences between the textures. You can use a wide variety of items such as rough sandpaper, silverware, scarves, sponges, and etc.

Another trick also focuses more on sensors. Here, you can fill a bowl with uncooked rice and bury a bunch of different objects in it. You can use paper clips, coins, marbles, cotton balls, hair clips, keychains, and etc. Next step would be the same as the first tip. Reach into the bowl and start feeling for the items inside, then identify them one by one through touch.