Arnold Clavio begins physical and occupational therapies following hemorrhagic stroke
Veteran broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio has started his physical therapy on June 15 after suffering from a hemorrhagic stroke days before.
In an Instagram post on June 20, Clavio shared a so-called continuation of his story about his health.
It opened with a text message on a yellow background that read, "June 15, 2024, Physical Therapy."
The video showed Clavio wearing a hospital gown using a walker as two physical therapists guide him.
A closer shot showed the 58-year-old opening and closing his right hand. He also marches in place.
"Matapos na mailipat ako sa regular room ng [St. Luke's Medical Center], doon na ako sinimulan na dumaan sa physical therapy," Clavio said, adding that because of his hemorrhagic stroke, the left part of his body got numb.
According to WebMD, a hemorrhagic stroke happens when a weakened blood vessel in the brain bursts, resulting in bleeding inside the brain that can be hard to stop. It's commonly caused by high blood pressure.
"Natigil kasi ang normal na pagdaloy ng dugo at ang nadale na bahagi ng utak ay ang ‘thalamus’ area," he said, noting that thalamus is responsible for bringing motor and sensory signals to the cerebral cortex and controls one's sleep, alertness, and waking up.
Citing advice from a physical therapist called "GK," Clavio said different exercises in the arms, legs, and feet are useful to bring back normal movements.
He said his rehabilitation may last a month, if not six months.
"Sa mga nakaranas ng stroke, maaari ninyong sundan ang mga ehersisyo na ipinagawa sa akin para muling bumalik ang sigla ng inyong pangagatawan," he said.
"Sama-sama nating malalagpasan ang pagsubok na ito sa tulong ng inyong mga panalangin at sa makapangyarihan na pangalan ni Hesus. Amen," he added.
In another Instagram post on June 21, Clavio said he also underwent occupational therapy on June 16 upon the advice of his doctor.
"Sa proseso ng OT, sisikapin na maibalik ang sensor o pakiramdam ng aking mga kamay," he said, noting how the hemorrhagic stroke greatly affected his right hand.
He gave a shout-out to his occupational therapist Dave for giving him exercises that would make his right hand comfortable.
"Kailangan dito ang matinding tiyaga," he said.
Last June 14, Clavio said he finished playing golf in Rizal on June 11 when he, during his trip back home, felt extreme numbness in his right arm and leg.
He stopped by a gasoline station to check himself and had difficulty walking upon going to the restroom.
He returned to his car, vowing to visit the first hospital he'd see.
Doctors found that Clavio's blood pressure shot up to 220/120 and his blood sugar reached 270.
According to the National Institute on Aging, normal blood pressure for most adults is a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80.
WebMD, meanwhile, states that healthy blood sugar levels are less than 100 milligrams per deciliter after not eating for at least eight hours, and less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating.
A computed tomography scan then showed there's slight bleeding on his brain's left side, and doctors found he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke.