The Explanation of Exercise Therapy

What exactly is Exercise Therapy?

Musculoskeletal disorders are the biggest cause of disability. Despite the billions spent, the problem is just getting worse. The latest medical guidelines strongly recommend Exercise Therapy as the first-line treatment for musculoskeletal disorders instead of much more expensive surgeries.

Exercise Therapy is a scientific proven method widely used by physical therapists for the rehabilitation of acute and chronic back, neck, shoulder, hip and knee complaints. In addition, Exercise Therapy also serves a method of preventing injuries by conditioning and strengthening the muscles and joints.

Increasing mobility

Exercise Therapy is based on increasing the mobility of the different directions of movement of the body. In other words, if there is a restriction of movement while stretching the back, for example, then an Exercise Therapy program is set up to ensure that the mobility of the back increases and the stretching of the back, in this case, is improved.

Increase of peak force

The second goal of Exercise Therapy is to increase the strength of the muscles in the body. By increasing the strength of the muscles, possible weak spots in the body can be corrected, increasing the function of the joints. An example of this is if a meniscus injury occurs in the knee joint. Then, it is necessary to strengthen the muscles around the knee. Because of this, the function of the meniscus is absorbed by forming a firm corset around the knee joint. Another example is strengthening the back muscles in order to be able to cope with a possible herniated disc in the back.

Hollistic approach

Several studies have shown that a holistic approach to Exercise Therapy training will play an decisive role in its success. In other words, the rehabilitation of the back and spine should be supported with controlled exercise and movement, not only part of the back, but also muscles in the neck, shoulder, knee, and hip. Through this approach, a patient receives a well-rounded treatment program, and a more successful road to recovery.

 

The fact that device-based exercise therapy is going to gain ground in the medical world is already clear. National level insurance reimbursements and contracts with health ministries in different countries are proof of that. When people become more familiar with these ideas and have a chance to personally try in practice how the system works, attitudes will change. Therapists, who may feel threatened by these new ideas quickly learn to embrace them after seeing how it changes their work for the better. For doctors, we have seen that an effective way to convince them is to ask them to “send their worst” and see the client outcomes and reactions.

Arno Parviainen Founder and CEO, DAVID Health Solutions LTD.

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