Exercise and Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy exercises can greatly help patients suffering from musculoskeletal conditions. There are many various kinds of exercises that can be learned in rehabilitation to help patients regain their strength and mobility, and these can be coupled with other methods of therapy for ultimate results.
The type of exercises that will be taught depend on which stage you are at in your recovery process. Recovery is not overnight and will vary from one individual to the next.
Range of motion exercises
Range of motion exercises can be done with a physiotherapist, or can be taught so that they can be done in the comfort of your own home. There may also be tightness in a joint or muscle, which restricts your range of motion. If this happens, the use of a heating modality can help loosen tightness prior to stretching, thus increasing your range of motion significantly.
Types of Range of Motion Exercises
- Passive range of motion exercise (PROME) Your physiotherapist will move the affected limb along the range of the joint. This is for those patients who cannot move their limb.
- Active-assistive range of motion exercise (AAROME) may be described as a movement with partial or minimal assistance. The restriction in movement might be found due to muscle weakness or muscle pain during activity. The physiotherapist will help in completing the movement. The pain should then cease after the motion is stopped.
- Active range of motion exercise (AROME) The patient completes the movement without the physiotherapist, who may use verbal cues to help the patient with the exercise.
Strengthening exercises
Strengthening exercises are for muscles that have become weakened due to an injury leading to immobilization. They can also be included in a patient’s general exercise program to prevent future injuries and muscle weakening, and also encourage overall health and well being. With this type of exercise, the muscle will become stronger gradually with the use of various tools such as resistance bands and weights. The intensity of the exercise will increase as the patient gains strength, and this, of course, depends on each individual and the severity of the original injury.
General conditioning exercises
General conditioning exercises use a combination of various exercise techniques including the above-mentioned range of motion and strengthening exercises, as well as walking. This will help to increase your cardio fitness, muscle/joint flexibility, and strength.
Balance exercises
Balance exercises can be incorporated into your personalized program if you are experiencing issues with your balance. In this scenario, strengthening your muscles will be a large part of your program. As above, these exercises will be developed gradually and will increase in intensity as time goes on and as balance is further achieved.
Please ask your physiotherapist for an assessment to learn about the different exercises available for your individual needs.
POST SURGICAL REHABILITATION: Your physiotherapist can help you recover mobility after surgery. If you have just experienced surgery, please call to have an assessment done to best evaluate your individual needs. A combination of the exercises noted above will be used to help you recover.
F.A.Q.
Get Every Single Answer There If You Want
Our medical center is dedicated to providing comprehensive patient centered healthcare with a commitment to excellence we offer a broad range of medical services from strive to create a welcoming environment where patients feel valued
Exercise and rehabilitation physiotherapy is a treatment approach that uses targeted exercises to help patients recover from injuries, manage pain, improve mobility, and restore function. It is an essential part of physiotherapy designed to strengthen muscles, improve joint movement, and prevent future injuries.
Exercise is the key to long-term recovery. It helps:
- Rebuild muscle strength
- Improve joint flexibility and mobility
- Enhance balance and coordination
- Reduce pain by supporting the body’s natural movement patterns
- Prevent re-injury by correcting muscle imbalances and poor posture
Exercise-based physiotherapy can help with:
- Back and neck pain
- Arthritis
- Sports injuries (sprains, strains)
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Shoulder, knee, and hip problems
- Balance and mobility issues in seniors
- Chronic conditions like fibromyalgia or osteoporosis
Yes. A trained physiotherapist will design a program that is safe and appropriate for your condition. The exercises are progressive — starting gentle and increasing in difficulty as you get stronger. The goal is to reduce pain, not increase it.
Not necessarily. Many exercises use your own body weight or simple tools like resistance bands, light weights, balance boards, or exercise balls. Our therapist will guide you based on what’s available at home or in the clinic.
Our therapist will create a personalized plan, but typically, patients are advised to do their exercises 3-5 times per week for best results. Consistency is key to recovery.
Some mild muscle soreness is normal, especially at the beginning, as your body adapts. However, sharp or intense pain is not normal — always communicate with your therapist if you experience discomfort.
Many patients notice improvements in pain, movement, and strength within 2-4 weeks of starting an exercise program. Full recovery times depend on your condition and adherence to the plan.
Yes! One of the main goals of rehabilitation is not just recovery, but prevention. Strengthening weak muscles, correcting posture, and improving balance helps protect you from future injuries.
Absolutely. Exercise is especially important for seniors to maintain mobility, independence, and reduce the risk of falls. Our therapist will customize exercises to be safe and effective at any age.
