Introduction to Therapeutic

Exercises
Therapeutic exercise Electrotherapy
‫طاهر صالح‬.‫د‬ ‫أحمد مصطفي‬.‫د‬
 Objectives

1- Define Therapeutic Exercises

2- Report the aims of Therapeutic Exercises
3-. Identify the principles of Therapeutic Exercises
4- Justify, and proper importance of Therapeutic Exercises.
5- Formulate the Prerequisites For Designing Exercise Program
6- Enumerate the classification of Therapeutic Exercises
What is physical
therapy?
 INTRODUCTION
Physical therapy “ is the art and science of
treatment by means of heat, cold, water, manual
manipulation, electricity, therapeutic exercise
and other physical agents.
Physical therapy or physiotherapy is the
provision of services to population to develop,
maintain and restore maximum movement and
functional ability throughout the lifespan.
 Physical therapy
Physical therapy is a part of practice
medicine involves treating disease and
injury with different physical modalities.
The use of Therapeutic exercise in
treatment is an important part of
physical therapy.
 Therapeutic exercise is an essential and important
part of the practice of physical therapy. One of the
most difficult tasks for any physical therapists is to
design and apply an exercise program.
Exercise presents both benefits and risks. This
balance can be easily achieved towards the benefit
side of the equation with the optimal exercise
prescription.
What is therapeutic
exercise
Definition of Therapeutic Exercise
The systematic performance of planned physical
movements, postures, or activities intended to enable the
patient/client to:
 correct or prevent impairments
 Enhance function
 Reduce risk
 Optimize overall health
 Enhance fitness and well-being
The ultimate goal of any therapeutic exercise program is
achievement of optimal level of symptoms free movement
and improvement of function.
 Importance of Therapeutic Exercises

1. To improve and restore physical function.

2. To enhance a patient’s functional capabilities
and prevent loss of function.
3. To prevent and decrease impairment and
disability
4. To optimize overall health status, fitness and
sense of well-being
Aims of Therapeutic Exercise:
1.The ultimate goal of a therapeutic exercise
program is the achievement of an optimal level of
symptoms free movement during basic to complex
physical activities.
2.To improve and restore physical function.
3.To prevent loss of function.
4.To enhance a patient’s functional capabilities.
5.To prevent and decrease impairment and disability
6.To improve overall health status, fitness and sense
of well-being
 The positive effect of therapeutic exercise

• Include the development, improvement,

restoration, or maintenance of normal range
of motion, strength, endurance, mobility,
stability and flexibility.
• One of the most difficult tasks for a physical
therapists is to design and apply an exercise
program
Pre-requisite
Prerequisites For Designing Exercise Program

For designing a successful and effective exercise

program the followings should be fulfilled:
1.The physical therapist must have knowledge of
anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, and
pathology and can integrate and apply this knowledge
to each condition.
2.The physical therapist must understand the different
forms of exercises and how these exercises affect body
system.
3.The exercise program should be individualized to the
special needs of each patient.
 Classification of Therapeutic Exercises
Therapeutic exercises are classified according to the aim and
purpose of the exercises into many types:
1.Range of motion exercises which aim to maintain and increase
range of motion as traditional ROM exercises (passive, active and
active assisted ROM exercises) and techniques of joint mobilization
and soft tissue stretching.
2.Muscle performance exercises to increase muscle strength, power
and endurance as resisted exercises and endurance exercises.
3.Postural exercises to improve posture and correct faulty posture.
4.Balance and coordination exercises to improve balance and
coordination.
5.Relaxation exercises to induce relaxation.
6.Area specific exercises as breathing exercises and circulatory
exercises.
 Steps For Designing Exercise Program
1. Start with comprehensive examination of the patient.
2. Determine the patient’s problems and functional disabilities.
3. Set the aims and objectives of the treatment program.
4. Select the proper exercise program that can solve the patient’s
problems and improve functional capabilities.
5. Periodic re-evaluation and examination of the patients should be
carried out weekly or monthly depending on the program.
6. Modifications of the program should be made to achieve the optimal
degree of improvement according to the results of the re-evaluation,
NB:The purpose and goal of the exercise program should be clearly
identified to the patient.
 Examination of patient Assessment

Assessment includes:
1- subjective information:
- name, age, sex, address, occupation,
diagnosis.
- How the patient perceive his symptoms.
- Describe the behavior of the symptoms.
- Related History of any previous medical or
surgical history.
2- Objective data:
- By Inspection (observation).
- By palpation.
- By measurement:
Muscle palpation, muscle testing,
functional ability, ROM, round and
long measurement, muscle tone,
special tests.
• Goals of treatment:
according to assessment results.
- Long term goals.
- Short term goals.
• Plan of treatment.
Common Physical Impairments
managed with Therapeutic
Exercise
• Musculoskeletal
■ Pain
■ Muscle weakness
■ Decreased muscular endurance
■ Limited range of motion due to:
- Restriction of the joint capsule
- Restriction of periarticular connective tissue
- Decreased muscle length
■ Joint hypermobility.
■ Faulty posture
• Neuromuscular
■ Pain
■ Impaired balance, postural stability
■ Incoordination
■ Delayed motor development
■ Abnormal tone (hypotonia, hypertonia,
dystonia)
• Cardiovascular/Pulmonary
■Decreased aerobic capacity (cardiopulmonary
endurance)
■Impaired circulation (lymphatic, venous, arterial)
■Pain with sustained physical activity (intermittent
claudication)

• Integumentary
■Skin hypomobility (e.g., immobile or adherent
scarring)