THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE
The goal of a therapeutic exercise program is to improve strength, endurance, mobility and flexibility, and coordination and skill. Therapeutic exercises include the following:
- Passive Range of Motion (PROM) -Movement of the affected joint by the therapist without participation by the patient; there is no voluntary muscle contraction.
- Active Range of Motion (AROM - Movement of the affected joint by the patient through the available range of motion.
- Active-Assistive Range of Motion (AAROM) - A type of active range of motion in which assistance is provided manually by a therapist or mechanically. This type of range of motion is used when the patient is unable to complete the motion without assistance.
- Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) - Manually resisted exercises performed in diagonal patterns which incorporates multiple movements and therefore more functional in nature
- Progressive Resistive Exercises (PREs) - These are exercises in which the resistance and repetitions/sets are gradually increased over time. PREs are utilized in order to increase strength, endurance, and/or power.
- Stretching - A technique which is designed to lengthen soft tissue (e.g., muscles, connective tissue) with the goal of increasing range of motion.
- Isometrics - Muscle contraction without joint movement.