Unlike general exercise, therapeutic exercise is prescribed to target a specific impairment or activity that a person is having difficulty performing. Your therapist will identify the relevant impairments by performing an evaluation. After interviewing you about your symptoms and about the activities with which you are experiencing trouble, your therapist will utilize a series of tests and measures to identify impairments that may be contributing to or causing your symptoms. This provides the therapist with a list of targets toward which they can direct their treatment. While therapeutic exercise is likely not the only treatment that your physical therapist will prescribe, it often makes up a large part of your care.

While the list of potential impairments is very long, here are some examples of impairments that a therapist may address using therapeutic exercise:

• Pain at rest or with certain positions
• Pain with movement or during certain activities
• Loss of range of motion in a joint
• Reduced muscle length or flexibility
• Reduced aerobic or cardiorespiratory endurance
• Reduced muscle strength
• Reduced muscle endurance
• Reduced muscle power
• Impaired breathing mechanics
• Impaired motor control
• Loss of coordination

THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE

Many different types of exercise fall within the category of therapeutic exercise. Each type is intended to address a specific impairment. These are some of the most common categories of therapeutic exercise. You can see how each one relates to one or several of the impairments noted above:

• Strengthening exercises
• Muscle endurance exercises
• Muscle power and plyometric exercises
• Agility training
• oordination exercises
• Breathing exercises
• Relaxation exercises
• Stretches
• Mobility exercises
• Range of motion exercises
• Aerobic training exercises
• Speed training
• Cardiorespiratory endurance training
• Neuromotor control exercises

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct your MSK issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

WHAT IF I HAVE NO EXERCISE EXPERIENCE?

No need to worry! You do not have to be an experienced exerciser to benefit from therapeutic exercise. In fact, those that are new to exercise may see a great deal of benefit from working with a physical therapist to address impairments like the ones listed above. Physical therapists are trained in the principles of exercise and rehabilitation and know how to prescribe exercises to beginners and those with years of experience in the context of any health conditions or injuries they have. Also, you can feel confident that you are learning how to perform exercises with good technique and in a way that helps your body heal and move optimally.

MAKE YOUR EXERCISES A PRIORITY

While it can be hard to find time to do your exercises outside of therapy, it is important to stick to the prescribed frequency given by your therapist. Each exercise needs to be performed at a specific dosage, frequency and intensity in order to be beneficial. It will be difficult to tell if the physical therapy is working if you do not complete your home program as prescribed. If you are having some trouble fitting the exercises into your schedule, your therapist can give you some ideas and may even make some modifications to help you be as successful as possible. My team of therapists is ready to teach you the exercises that will help you recover faster and empower you to stick with an exercise program that will minimize the recurrence of your symptoms in the future.