Stroke survivors benefit from Tailwind

Any stroke survivor who has arm weakness will like the sound of a new product about to launch in the UK.  Take a closer look at TailWind – you will see a new exercise technology designed to improve arm movement and strength following a stroke.  In research studies its been shown to help individuals recover even many years after a stroke. And we know that 44 percent of people who've had a stroke will normally have to tolerate arm weakness.  Stroke is actually common you know.  It’s like this.  Every five minutes someone in the UK has one.   That’s an estimated 150,000 people per year.  If you’re a male the bad news is that almost one in four men aged 45 can expect to have a stroke if they live to 85.  Women are slightly better off with odds of one in five.

Of course, when we really think about it, governments and health services are concerned that in the future they can’t possibly cope with providing quality care for all that might need it.  You may well feel that’s the case right now.  Look around and you see that more and more individuals are searching for practical ways they can get back on track with their lives after stroke.

There is a lot of research going on.  It’s overthrowing some ideas we once held about stroke – for example, that stroke survivors probably couldn’t continue to improve after six months or so.   That unwritten rule is being questioned now.  There are some theories about why and how the brain can recover by forming new connections – new wiring – even though “the circuits” were damaged by the stroke.  TailWind seems to take advantage of this so-called neuroplasticity.  It helps your body to help itself.

TailWind is not a “treatment” and you don’t need a prescription – it’s an effective exercise technology.  That means that it works if the user does.  By performing controlled exercises in your home using TailWind, in six weeks you can recover meaningful function – even years after your stroke.  

After Norris Turner's stroke a decade ago, he would tuck his right arm into his pocket to get the nearly useless limb out of the way.  Now the 68-year-old grandfather from Columbia can use the arm to play catch with his grandson and hit a golf ball nearly 100 feet.   Mr Turner was a test subject for Tailwind in studies conducted by the University of Maryland.  

Now Tailwind exists as a product brought to fruition by entrepreneur Kris Appel of Encore Path Inc of Baltimore.  Anatomical Concepts (UK) Ltd partnered with Kris to bring the product to the UK.  [blockquote]This is an exciting advance because not much else does a great job in improving arm function.[/blockquote

To get started you need the ability to consciously move your arm a bit and understand how to follow instructions.
We have found that the most important question to ask is:

    * Do you have some movement at your shoulder?
    * Starting with your affected (weaker) arm at your side, can you swing your arm forward 3 inches from the shoulder?

If you can answer “yes” to this question, Tailwind could help you improve your arm movement.

TailWind will be available very shortly in the UK.  For further information or to receive advice on suitability –

Please contact us for advice

If you, your doctor or therapist would like to read the research studies you can request them from us.