Rehabilitation Exercises

What is Rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is a treatment method designed to facilitate recovery after a serious injury, illness or surgery. It is aimed at restoring the physical, sensory, intellectual, psychological and social function of the patient.

What does Rehabilitation aim at?

The goal of a rehabilitation programme varies depending on the patient’s needs but is aimed at achieving a quick recovery. This programme assists the patient to return to normal life through therapy or training.

The rehabilitation team works with the patient on various physical activities and flexibility exercises that help to regain the strength and motion of the muscles in the injured site.

What are the various Techniques used during Rehabilitation?

A rehabilitation programme often includes stretching and bending exercises, massage, stability exercises, physiotherapy, heat therapy and much more. Various techniques employed in a rehabilitation programme have a significance of their own in improving physical performance and restoring the patient to normal activities.

• Stretching and bending exercises improve the flexibility of the muscles at the injured site.
• Massage techniques relieve the tension of the muscles and improve the blood flow to the site of injury.
• Stability exercises restore the functions and movements of broken or injured joints.
• The use of appropriate devices to correct biomechanical dysfunction such as specially designed running shoes is recommended for sports individuals with a foot injury. These shoes have a harder material inside of the sole which prevents the foot from rolling in.
• Practising several measures may help you obtain better results from the rehabilitation programme.
• Exercise and walk regularly.
• Gradually increase the time and intensity of exercises.
• Choose correct footwear.
• Do not work out on an empty stomach and drink plenty of water during your exercise.

Post-Operative Rehabilitation Recovery

Post-operative rehabilitation programmes are recommended to strengthen the muscles at the injured site, relieve pain, ensure mobility, and restore to normal functional capability. The common rehabilitation procedures include:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen to reduce pain
• Usage of crutches, braces, or heat retainer to prevent movement of the injured site
• Physiotherapy
• Sports massages

In addition to the above-mentioned treatments, your physiotherapist may instruct special exercises following surgery depending upon the type of injury and type of surgery.