These are a few of the most common terms used to describe therapeutic exercise:
Resistance – This can be in the form of weights, gravity, water (pool therapy with paddles), hydraulics (piston-driven strength equipment), or can be manually applied by a therapist.
Range of Motion – This is the amount of available movement of a joint or set of joints. For example, a knee may have a range of motion from 0 – 130 degrees.
Repetitions – These are the number of a particular exercise performed before taking a short break.
Sets – These are groups of repetitions of a particular exercise performed with a break between each.
Balance – This term can be used in a couple of contexts. Muscle balance or imbalance refers to teh relative strength of muscles around a joint or an area like the back or pelvis or hip.
Agility – This is your ability to negotiate obstacles. Not an athlete? That doesn’t matter. Sometimes an obstacle can just be a toy on the floor, an uneven yard, or a series of steps of different sizes to get into your apartment building.
Coordination – In physical therapy, this usually refers to the ability to coordinate muscular contractions to complete a specific activity or movement correctly.
Closed Kinetic Chain – This refers to strength training exercises where the distal end is fixed, and the rest of the body moves as a result of muscular contraction. An example would be a squat – the foot is fixed on the floor, and the rest of the body moves up and down as a result of muscular contraction of the leg musculature. A push-up is an example of a closed kinetic chain strengthening exercise for the upper extremities. CKC exercises require the coordination and balance of multiple muscle groups.
Open Kinetic Chain – This refers to strength training exercises where the distal end moves as a result of muscular contraction while the rest of the body is fixed. An example would be seated knee extensions, where your body is fixed (sitting on the seat) and your leg moves resistance resting against your ankle. A bench press is an example of an open kinetic chain strengthening exercise for the upper extremities. OKC exercises require the contraction of an isolated muscle group.
At Terry Rehabilitation, each patient is expertly evaluated, each treatment plan is customized for that patient, and all treatment occurs with a highly trained professional.
Our rehabilitation programs include:
- Hands-on manual therapy techniques – to quickly correct loss of motion
- Supervised therapeutic exercises targeted to specific deficiencies
- Modalities such as cold packs, heat, and electrical stimulation to reduce pain, inflammation, and to increase flexibility
- Targeted home exercise programs that do not require special equipment
- Restoration of functional strength and stability for daily activities
- Work-specific or sport-specific rehabilitation
Contact us to schedule an initial evaluation. If physical therapy is recommended, we will contact your physician in writing regarding the recommended plan of care, allowing him or her to make the most informed decision possible for the care.
