Lecture 1: Intro to Therapeutic Exercises

What is a Disease?

pathologic process with characteristic and identifiable set of signs and symptoms

What are examples of Diseases?

medical diagnosis from physician: osteoarthritis, Diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease

What is an Impairment?

any loss of psychological or physiological structure or function

What are examples of Impairments?

pain, loss of ROM, loss of strength

Is a rotator cuff partial tear a disease or impairment?

disease

A total hip replacement is a disease or an impairment?

disease

Low Back Pain is a disease or an impairment?

impairment

Is Plantar Fasciitis a disease or an impairment?

both disease/impairment

What is a disability?

lack of ability to perform an activity in a manner considered normal for that individual (functional limitations in ADLs)

What is handicap?

social disadvantage that results from an impairment or disability

What is examples of handicap?

loss of employment, living arrangement

Physical activities are specifically designed to correct or prevent…?

injuries/ weaknesses

Physical activities are specifically designed to improve or restore…?

muscular function

Physical activities are specifically designed to advance overall…?

health status and/or maintain a state of well being

What is the overall goal of therapeutic exercise?

symptom free movement and pain-free function

When will you use Therapeutic exercise in your treatment?

any goal that states increase: strength, endurance, mobility, flexibility, relaxation, stability, coordination, and balance

What is strength?

the ability of a muscle (or group of muscle) to produce tension and enough force to meet the physical demand placed on them

How do you measure strength?

by measuring a patient’s maximal force exerted against an immoveable object (MMT)

How can you increase strength?

it’s increased only when the performs maximally, so the muscle must be overloaded

What is (general) endurance?

ability of an individual to sustain low intensity exercise over a prolonged period - “overall performance”

What is muscular endurance?

ability of a muscle to contract repeatedly, sustain tension, and resist fatigue over a prolonged period

What is mobility

What is relaxation?

a conscious effort to reduce tension in muscles

What is stability?

synergistic muscle action that provides a stable base for movement

What type of strength is required for coordination and endurance?

proximal strength

What is coordination?

the ability to use the right muscles at the right time with the right intensity

What is balance?

the ability to maintain the center of gravity over the base of support statically or dynamically and the ability to move the body in space and control body position

What is the 1st step in creating an effective exercise program?

review the treatment goals included in PT’s Initial Evaluation and POC (is there a goal?)

What is the 2nd step in creating an effective exercise program?

develop a set of specific therapeutic exercises to alleviate the impairments and meet their goals

What is the 3rd step in creating an effective exercise program?

Implement the ther ex program keeping in mind the patient’s own functional goals

What is the 4th step in creating an effective exercise program?

assess the effectiveness over time: is it working?

What is the 5th step in creating an effective exercise program?

progress the ther ex program if making gain or change the program if the pt. is not making progress toward the goals