Exercise

Therapeutic Exercises

Created in Types of Treatment, Exercise
Therapeutic exercises refers to a wide range of physical activities that focuses on restoring and maintaining strength, endurance, flexiblity, stability and balance. The goal of therapeutic exercises is to return an injured patient to a fully functioning, pain-free state.

A physical therapist begins by conducting a thorough evaluation of an individual's physical capabilities through both a medical history and physical assessment. The physical therapist then uses his/her knowledge to shape a treatment care plan containing a slowly-progressing exercise program that is appropriate to each individual's needs. The physical therapist monitors progress, assists with some physical movements and continuously modifies the plan as the client recovers.

The first objective of therapeutic exercise is to help the body reduce pain and inflammation. Once this is achieved, the exercise program focuses on regaining range of motion and rebuilding muscle strength and endurance. Exercises that may be included in a therapeutic program include:

• Strengthening exercises, usually performed with heavy resistance and fewer repetitions.
• Endurance exercises that engage large muscle groups over a longer period of time.
• Flexibility exercises achieved through stretching and movement.
• Balance and coordination exercises that focus on maintaining an individual's center of gravity.
  

Range of Motion Exercises

Created in Types of Treatment, Exercise
Range of motion refers to the distance and direction a joint moves between a flexed (bent) position and an extended (stretched) position. It also refers to therapeutic exercises designed to increase this distance in a joint's movement.

A number of health issues contribute to restricted range of motion, including:

• Problems with body mechanics
• Swelling
• Inflammation
• Muscle spasms
• Infection
• Disease, such as arthritis

Range of motion is also one of the dimensions used in Functional Capacity Evaluations to measure and determine joint flexibility.

There are three types of range of motion exercises:

• Passive Range of Motion (PROM): With PROM, the client applies no effort to move the joint, which is moved through a variety of stretching exercises by a physical therapist or with the help of equipment.
• Active Assisted Range of Motion (AAROM): With AAROM, the client uses the muscles around a weak joint to complete stretching exercises with the help of a physical therapist or equipment.
• Active Range of Motion (AROM): With AROM, the client performs stretching exercises, moving the muscles around a weak joint without any aid.
  

Gait Retraining

Created in Types of Treatment, Exercise
Gait retraining is a method used to prevent and rehabilitate injuries to the leg, knee or hip that occur from walking or running. The goal of this technique is to correct body mechanics for a better stride and to lessen stress on the joints and soft tissue. It is most commonly used to reduce joint wear and tear for runners and to help older adults recover from falls or stroke.

During gait retraining, sensors placed on the legs convey real-time, three-dimensional images to a computer where gait problems can be identified. The client uses the 3-D imagery to practice and learn corrected body mechanics to prevent future injury. Gait retraining is often coupled with strengthening and stretching exercises in order to overcome muscular imbalances.