Use of exercise to improve or restore function, reduce pain, and prevent disability.
Anatomy and Physiology: The study of the human body's structure and how it functions, which includes the musculoskeletal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.
Biomechanics: The scientific study of movement and the forces acting on the body, which is important in understanding the principles and mechanics behind therapeutic exercise.
Exercise Prescription: The art and science of designing an exercise program that suits the individual needs, abilities, and goals of the patient. This includes the selection of appropriate exercises, repetition and duration, intensity level, and frequency.
Stretching and Flexibility: The practice of stretching muscles and soft tissues to improve range of motion, promote relaxation, prevent injury, and increase performance.
Strength Training: The practice of exercising muscles to increase their strength, size, and endurance, which is important in regaining lost function due to injury or illness.
Aerobic Exercise: The practice of performing prolonged physical activity using low to moderate intensity, which is important in improving cardiovascular fitness, reducing body fat, and preventing chronic diseases.
Balance and Coordination Training: The practice of performing exercises that challenge the body's ability to maintain balance and coordinate movements, which is important in improving stability and preventing falls.
Proprioceptive Training: The practice of performing exercises that help retrain the nervous system to recognize and respond to sensory input, which is important in improving motor control and reducing pain.
Pain Management: The practice of using various techniques and modalities to manage and relieve pain, which is an essential aspect of therapeutic exercise.
Rehabilitation: The process of restoring a patient's physical, mental, and functional abilities after an injury or illness. This may involve a combination of exercises, manual therapy, and other interventions.
Therapeutic Modalities: The use of physical agents such as heat or cold, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and hydrotherapy to enhance the effects of exercise and promote healing.
Patient Education: The process of providing patients with information, instruction, and guidance on how to manage their condition, maintain their health, and prevent future injuries.
Stretching exercises: These exercises aim to improve range of motion and flexibility by gradually and gently lengthening the muscle fibers. Common types of stretching exercises include static, dynamic, and PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching.
Strengthening exercises: These exercises aim to increase muscle strength and endurance by subjecting the muscles to resistance, either through weight-bearing exercises or manual resistance. Examples include weight training, resistance band training, and isometric exercises.
Cardiovascular exercises: These exercises aim to improve heart and lung function, as well as overall endurance, by increasing the heart rate and breathing rate. Common types include walking, cycling, swimming, and various aerobic exercises.
Balance and coordination exercises: These exercises help improve balance and coordination, which can be especially beneficial for older adults or people recovering from injury. Examples include standing on one leg, walking heel-to-toe, and various agility drills.
Functional exercises: These exercises aim to improve daily function by focusing on specific activities or movements, such as reaching overhead or getting up from a chair. Examples include squats, lunges, and step-ups.
Proprioceptive exercises: These exercises aim to improve proprioception, which is the body's ability to sense its position in space. Examples include various balance exercises that use unstable surfaces or resistance bands.
Range of motion exercises: These exercises aim to improve joint mobility and prevent stiffness or contractures. Examples include passive and active range of motion exercises, as well as joint mobilization techniques performed by a therapist.
Core strengthening exercises: These exercises aim to strengthen the muscles of the back, abdomen, and pelvis, which are important for maintaining good posture and stability. Examples include planks, bridges, and various exercises that target the abdominal muscles.