Introduction
Exercise therapy focuses on helping the body function at a higher level of efficiency. Exercise is important for helping all body systems function optimally while preventing injury, pain, and deterioration. Exercise therapy may help improve flexibility, strength, endurance, and posture. Exercise therapy may focus on select muscle groups and/or the body as a whole. Exercise and therapy modalities may be used together to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Exercise may help reduce pain and improve function. Strength training, aerobic exercise, and stretching may comprise a whole body program. Various types of yoga may be used to improve joint health, proper breathing, and relaxation.
Treatment
Your therapist will assess your baseline skills before formulating your individual exercise program. The evaluation results are necessary to customize a treatment plan with specific short term and long-term goals. You should tell your therapist about any problems or concerns that you have. You should also discuss your specific goals, expectations, and priorities. This information is helpful for formulating an individualized plan that is safe for you.
Your therapist will instruct you on the specific exercises or techniques in your exercise program. You should perform your exercises as instructed. At periodic intervals, your exercise therapy program will be reassessed and changed as you meet goals. By working with professionals, you are ensured that you are exercising at a challenging yet safe level for you.
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.
The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Author
Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD,
Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. The library
commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on 4-27-2010.