Exercise Therapy    >     It will move you..

Exercise therapy is a program of physical activities carried out in an effort to reach specific health goals. Its purpose is to return to normal musculoskeletal function or to decrease pain caused by injuries or other health problems. There is a difference between physical activities and exercise. Many of us are not sure about it. Physical activities are actually activities that get your body moving, something like walking in and around the house, there is no structured planning for it. On the contrary exercise is a form of physical activity that is specifically planned, structured , and repetitive and is meant for getting some positive outcome out of it. Therapeutic Exercise is planned and systematic performance of body movements and posture.

Importance of exercise

Physical

Exercises help to reduce Weight or maintain it, Impact of chronic medical illness like type DM, HTN, etc. , Impact of osteoporosis and joint problems, Improves flexibility, strength and balance, Optimizes overall health.

Mental

Exercises help to Improve sleep, Improves self confidence, Keep brain active. Exercise program designed by physiotherapist is individualized to unique needs of patient.

Types of exercise programs

Aerobic fitness/ cardio-vascular exercise

Exercises improve ability to perform low intensity, total body movements (walking/cycling/swimming) over extended period of time. They help in improving cardiac and lung fitness (cardiopulmonary endurance)

Flexibility training- Improve ability to move joints/ muscles in order to allow range for function. It refers to the absolute range of movement in a joint or series of joints, and length in muscles that cross the joints to induce a bending movement or motion.

Balance training- Improve ability to align body against gravity without falling.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is a physical treatment primarily used by physiotherapist to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability; it most commonly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation. Manual therapy utilizes skilled, specific hands-on techniques by the physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures. Manual therapy helps by increasing range of motion; reducing or eliminating soft tissue inflammation; inducing relaxation; improving tissue repair, facilitating movement; and improving function. Manipulation is the artful introduction of a rapid rotational, sheer or distraction force into a joint. Manipulation is often associated with an audible popping sound caused by the instantaneous breakdown of gas bubbles that form during joint cavitation. Mobilization is a slower, more controlled process of articular and soft-tissue (myofascial) stretching which improves bio-mechanical elasticity