Exercise therapy is a valuable tool to doctors and orthopedists who are helping their patients rehabilitate injuries or recover from major surgery. It is a non-invasive method that can be used as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with other treatments. Exercise therapy describes a collection of therapeutic methods — such as massage therapy, hot and cold therapy, and electrical stimulation therapy — designed to challenge the body's musculoskeletal system, pushing it beyond the boundaries caused by disease, deformity, or injury.
Did You Know?
Although there is no way of knowing exactly when exercise therapy was first used, scientists know that both Hippocrates and Hector advocated for its use as early as 460 B.C. It wasn't until the late 1800s and early 1900s that formal schools of physiotherapy began to emerge. By the 1950s, physical and exercise therapy began to spread outside of hospital settings and into outpatient centers and doctor's offices where it continues today.
Will I Need Exercise Therapy?
There are many people who could benefit from exercise therapy — athletes with overuse injuries, patients with arthritis, joint replacement surgery patients, and anyone limited by chronic musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, or motion range restrictions. Patients may also benefit if they are suffering from traumas to the body's connective tissues, such as torn ligaments or tendinitis.
| Approach | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Mobility work | Restores range of motion in stiff, painful areas |
| Strengthening | Builds the support muscles that protect your spine and joints |
| Home program | Simple exercises that keep the gains between visits |
What Should I Expect During a Session?
Our office will provide exercise therapy that will challenge you without over-working you. The long-term goal for many patients is improved joint mobilization and less pain. You can expect your exercise therapy sessions to gradually increase in difficulty, constantly challenging you to make progress toward your goals. Some patients require exercise therapy for just a few weeks, whereas others need it for several years.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Improve Outcomes?
It is not unusual for our providers to prescribe in-office exercise therapy accompanied by at-home stretches or exercises. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may be advised to adopt a more active lifestyle or avoid certain physical activities until you make a full recovery. The most important thing you can do to facilitate a better treatment outcome is to follow your provider's instructions exactly as advised.