What are rehabilitative exercises?

To keep it simple, rehabilitative exercises are movements that are prescribed for a specific injury that can help to decrease pain and restore proper function.

Why are rehabilitative exercises recommended? 

Exercises are selected based on the nature of a given injury. The purpose behind any exercise could be aimed at improving any combination of the following aspects:

• Strengthening 

• Pain relief

• Nerve pain relief

• Posture correction

• Muscle activation

• Muscle inhibition

• Stability

• Mobility 

• Flexibility 

• Motor control

Exercises may be focused on any one individual aspect mentioned above and a combination of exercises are given to form a comprehensive rehab program. 

For example, someone experiencing low back pain might need to focus on muscle activation exercises to properly stabilize their core, mobility exercises to improve range of motion in their hips, and motor control exercises to help them use their glutes and hamstrings instead of the muscles in their low back when bending forward.

How does someone know which exercises they should do?

There are multiple factors when designing an exercise program. In order to prescribe the correct exercises it’s important to perform a detailed physical examination, related movement screens, and identify the mechanisms or root cause of someone’s pain.

Want to learn more?

If you’re interested in incorporating rehabilitative exercises into your care plan, or if you’re unsure whether it’s something that might help, schedule a free consultation with one of our licensed Chiropractors to discuss your treatment options.