While making dinner for his daughters one night, James Abram, 59, collapsed on his kitchen floor. He was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center where doctors determined he had suffered a stroke.
He later suffered a second stroke and underwent emergency
surgery to reduce life-threatening swelling in his brain.
The strokes left Abram paralyzed on the left side. But in the seven
months since his strokes, he has made remarkable progress. He
credits his recovery to the advanced, multidisciplinary treatment
and rehabilitation that he received.
Did it include some sort of specialized surgery? Or a rigorous
physical therapy program? Nope -- it was something so gentle, even
pregnant women participate in it.
Abram’s recovery included wheelchair yoga, a new Loyola
program for hospitalized patients. The program is directed by Susan
Walsh, PsyD, psychologist and certified yoga
instructor.
She said she’s seen firsthand how yoga facilitates recovery, which allows doctors to better manage the potentially debilitating side effects of various medical conditions.
Like other patients, Abram attended a one-hour yoga class twice a week in a conference room transformed into a yoga studio. Lights are dim and electric candles line the room as soft music plays.
The class is led through a series of modified yoga, breathing and guided-imagery exercises from their wheelchairs.
The goal of the yoga classes is to enhance posture, alignment, coordination, mobility, psychological health and an overall sense of well-being. The exercises also help patients open their chest to increase oxygen flow, which makes movement easier and speeds healing.
“This was my first experience with yoga, and I found it to be enjoyable,” said Abram. “Yoga and all of the other therapy has helped me regain control of the left side of my body. I now walk without assistance and have some use of my left hand and arm.”
