Rehabilitation is not the right route for a sudden change in someone’s condition. Physiotherapy appointments are planned around progress, not emergencies. This article is about recognising when to contact a doctor rather than wait.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh Kumar, MPT
Last reviewed: 2 August 2026 · Our clinical team
If you think someone is having a stroke, or they are seriously unwell, call emergency services immediately. Do not wait to contact a therapist, and do not wait to see whether it settles.
Contact a doctor promptly if you notice
- New weakness, numbness or facial droop, or a sudden change in speech or vision
- A sudden, severe headache, or a headache unlike any before
- Reduced alertness, new confusion, or difficulty waking the person
- Chest pain, breathlessness, or new palpitations
- A new seizure, or a change in seizure pattern
- Coughing or choking on food or drink, or a wet-sounding voice after swallowing
- Fever, or a productive cough — chest infections are common after stroke
- A red, swollen, painful calf, particularly if one leg is more affected
- Skin redness that does not fade when pressed, or any broken skin over a pressure area
- Any fall, particularly with a head injury, or if the person takes blood-thinning medication
- Sudden severe pain, or a limb that looks out of shape after a fall
- A marked change in mood, or any talk of self-harm
Contact the therapy team about
Pain during exercise, a joint that has become stiffer, increasing spasticity, equipment that no longer fits, loss of a skill the person previously had, or fatigue that has clearly worsened. These need review but are not emergencies.
Why families hesitate
The most common reason people delay is not wanting to make a fuss, or assuming a change is “just part of the stroke”. Post-stroke complications — infection, clots, swallowing problems, low mood — are common and treatable when caught early. It is always reasonable to ask.
Be prepared
Keep a written list of medications, the medical history and contact numbers somewhere accessible, so anyone in the household can find it quickly.
Related
Medical disclaimer: this article is general information and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for individual assessment. See our medical disclaimer.