Exercise library

Neurological rehab exercises

Movement practice after a stroke or other neurological condition.

Single-exercise guides and staged recovery programmes, each drafted to a shared house style and clinically reviewed by an HCPC-registered physiotherapist.

Individual exercises

Smile / Mouth RaiseGently raise both mouth corners into a smile, aiming to move the weaker side to match the stronger one.FaceFacial rehabView details

Eyebrow RaiseLift both eyebrows as evenly as you can, then relax — retraining symmetrical forehead control.FaceFacial rehabView details

Gentle Eye CloseSoftly close both eyes together and reopen, encouraging even eyelid control on both sides.FaceFacial rehabView details

Cheek PuffPuff out both cheeks and hold, then release — building lip seal and cheek-muscle control.FaceFacial rehabView details

Brow FurrowPull both eyebrows down and together into a frown, then relax — retraining even upper-face control.FaceFacial rehabView details

Big SmileA wider smile progression — push both mouth corners up and out as far as feels comfortable, keeping the sides even.FaceFacial rehabView details

Open Eyes WideOpen both eyes as wide as you can, as if surprised, then relax — encouraging even eyelid lift on both sides.FaceFacial rehabView details

Lip PuckerDraw both lips forward into a pucker, as if to kiss or whistle, then relax — building lip-rounding control for speech and drinking.FaceFacial rehabView details

Bed Mobility RollingPractising rolling side to side in bed with guided cues, rebuilding basic functional movement after neurological injury.NeuroEarly rehabView details

Bridging for TransfersLifting the hips off the bed to assist with repositioning and transfers, an early building block for independence.NeuroEarly rehabView details

Sit-to-Stand with SupportRising from a chair using armrests as needed, a foundational functional movement retrained after neurological injury.NeuroEarly rehabView details

Weight-Bearing Through Affected LegStanding with weight guided onto the affected side to rebuild sensation, strength and confidence on that leg.NeuroMobility phaseView details

Reaching Tasks (Affected Arm)Guided reaching for objects using the affected arm, encouraging use and retraining coordinated movement.NeuroMobility phaseView details

Parkinson's Big Movements (LSVT-style)Exaggerated, large-amplitude arm and leg movements, based on LSVT BIG principles to counter the small movements typical of Parkinson's.NeuroStrength phaseView details

Rhythmic Stepping to a BeatStepping in place to an external rhythm or count, a cueing strategy that helps reduce freezing episodes.NeuroReturn to functionView details

Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue-Paced CircuitA short, energy-conserving set of gentle movements with rest breaks, following pacing principles for fatigue management.NeuroMobility phaseView details

Coordination Drills (Finger to Nose)Slowly touching the finger to the nose and back, a classic coordination exercise for cerebellar conditions.NeuroEarly rehabView details

Heel-Shin Slide (Coordination)Sliding the heel smoothly down the opposite shin, training coordinated, controlled limb movement.NeuroEarly rehabView details

Standing Balance with Visual FeedbackStanding in front of a mirror to visually correct posture and weight distribution after neurological injury.NeuroMobility phaseView details

Functional Grasp and ReleasePractising picking up and releasing everyday objects, rebuilding fine motor hand function for daily tasks.NeuroReturn to functionView details

Gait Re-Education with CueingWalking practice with verbal or visual cues to correct step length and foot clearance affected by neurological injury.NeuroReturn to functionView details

Trunk Rotation in SittingRotating the upper body side to side while seated, rebuilding trunk control that underpins balance and reaching.NeuroEarly rehabView details

Standing Frame or Supported StandingSupported standing for a set duration to maintain bone density, circulation and standing tolerance.NeuroEarly rehabView details

Dual-Task Cognitive-Motor TrainingCombining a simple physical task with a cognitive task (like naming items), rebuilding real-world dual-tasking ability.NeuroReturn to functionView details

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Using these exercises safely

A few general rules that apply to every exercise and programme in this library:

Build up gradually. Start with the easier end of what is suggested and add more only when it feels comfortable.
Some muscle soreness during or after is normal - up to about 3 or 4 out of 10 that settles within a day is fine.
Sharp pain, pain that spreads down a limb, pain that wakes you at night, or pain that is clearly worse the next morning means stop and get it checked.
Do not push through pain to 'earn' progress. Slow, steady loading is what builds tissue tolerance.
These are general exercises, not a substitute for a personal assessment. If you are not sure what is wrong, or things are not improving, book an assessment.

If your symptoms are severe, spreading, or you feel unwell, see a doctor rather than starting exercises.

Not sure which exercises are right?

Get a plan built for you

Book an online assessment with an HCPC-registered physiotherapist and get a rehab plan matched to your condition and stage.

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