Stroke Rehabilitation

Providing an early start to recovery

Recovering from a stroke can be one of the greatest challenges you will face, and where you go for treatment can make a difference. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recommend that, whenever possible, patients recovering from a stroke be treated in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital rather than a skilled nursing facility.1 The goal of our comprehensive stroke rehabilitation program is to help you increase your independence and physical functioning, as well as enhance your quality of life.

Stroke patient on an elliptical machine.

What sets us apart


Banner Rehabilitation Hospital treats patients with a wide range of complex medical, physical, cognitive and emotional needs. This gives us unparalleled expertise and experience to address your individual challenges, goals and hopes for the future.

  • Stroke survivors who choose an inpatient rehabilitation hospital like Banner Rehabilitation Hospital have greater improvement, fewer complications and are able to return home sooner than those treated at nursing facilities or other settings.1,2,3  At Banner Rehabilitation Hospital, you’ll find a highly individualized, carefully integrated program of stroke care that has been shown to make the difference in patients’ outcomes. 

  • "Stroke rehabilitation requires the sustained and coordinated effort of a large inter-professional team. Communication and coordination among team members is paramount in maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of rehabilitation."1 — American Heart Association and American Stroke Association

    At Banner Rehabilitation Hospital, we draw on the knowledge of an experienced team of stroke rehabilitation specialists to address the range of medical, physical, functional and emotional issues you face.

    This interdisciplinary team is led by a physiatrist, a physician board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and includes rehabilitation nurses; physical, occupational, speech and recreation therapists; neuropsychologists; dietitians; case managers and other clinical and support staff as needed.

  • Studies show that the sooner you begin a highly coordinated, comprehensive stroke rehabilitation program, the greater gains you are likely to achieve.1  As a specialized hospital, Banner Rehabilitation Hospital offers you an early start to rehabilitation. We work closely with you, your family and the referring hospital to ensure a smooth transition to our program.

    Here you will benefit from a minimum of three hours of physical, occupational and/or speech therapies a day, five days a week. The skills and strategies you learn during therapy will be reinforced by your nursing team and in recreational activities.

    Depending on the nature and extent of your stroke, you may be provided with a wheelchair and/or other assistive equipment including electronic aids to assist with daily tasks during your admission.

    You and your family will also receive education and training to help maintain your overall health and well-being following discharge.

    When you’re ready, we’ll coordinate your discharge, help arrange for equipment and provide access to community resources that may be available to you. Our goal, like yours, is for you to move forward with as much independence and confidence as possible.

  • Treatment is carefully integrated and tailored to your specific needs and goals. Depending on the extent to which you have been impacted by a stroke, we will help:

    • Restore physical function and the ability to perform daily activities
    • Gain strength and endurance
    • Improve balance and mobility
    • Overcome speech or communication deficits
    • Address swallowing issues or nutritional concerns
    • Develop new cognitive, communication and behavioral strategies
    • Improve vision deficits
    • Deal with emotional, psychological and/or social challenges
    • Return to home, work, school or community activities with as much confidence and independence as possible

    Banner Rehabilitation Hospital’s highly individualized program will also help to maximize recovery for patients whose needs may be complicated by other existing medical conditions.

  • To help you return home and resume work, school, community and/or social activities, Banner Rehabilitation Hospital provides an unparalleled continuum and continuity of care. We are here to help you manage your health from inpatient to outpatient care.
Our patients say it best
Mark’s story
“I don’t know if the therapists realize what they’ve done for me. They made me work and pushed me, and wanted me to get better and because of that, I wanted to get better"

The technology of stroke recovery



To support your recovery, Banner Rehabilitation Hospital brings innovation and leading-edge technologies to treatment - and continues to research the most promising new avenues of care.

Below are some of the many advances now available to appropriate patients:

  • Robotic therapies, such as the Armeo Spring Trainer®, to improve motor function in the arms and hands
  • Body-weight supported treadmill training and electrical stimulation devices to improve balance, gait and walking
  • Electrical stimulation, mirror therapy and other strategies to improve arm and hand function
  • VitalStim®, a non-invasive external electrical stimulation therapy, applied to the neck, to treat swallowing disorders
  • Computer-based exercises to improve memory, concentration, decision-making and other cognitive skills
  • Adaptive gaming and other platforms to help individuals participate in recreational and social activities


Stroke Recovery. Let Us Help.

We will work closely with you, and your family, physician and/or the referring hospital to ensure a smooth transition to Banner Rehabilitation Hospital for your rehabilitation.

Did You Know?

Studies3 show that stroke survivors treated at a rehabilitation hospital like Banner Rehabilitation Hospital have a higher level of independence and are more likely to be discharged home than those treated in other care settings.

Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery. American Heart Association, Inc. 2016

Comparison of Functional Status Improvements Among Patients with Stroke Receiving Postacute Care in Inpatient Rehabilitation vs. Skilled Nursing Facilities. JAMA. 2019.

Assessment of Patient Outcomes of Rehabilitative Care Provided in Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) and After Discharge. Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, LLC. 2014.