The variety of methods available to treat PAIN and pathologies of musculoskeletal origin has increased in recent years.
Therapeutic exercise in physiotherapy is a key tool in the treatment of these diseases and injuries in order to achieve the objective set at the beginning of the treatment.
What is therapeutic exercise?
We define therapeutic exercise as the execution of controlled body movements, prescribed by a physiotherapist, with the aim of improving the functionality of patients.
And what is the importance of therapeutic exercise in this case?
A correct technical execution of the exercise allows improving the physical condition of the person who suffers from some dysfunction, functional limitation or disability, while preventing the appearance of possible alterations.
Moreover, exercise benefits numerous body systems, so that intervention methods are based on several approaches:
Techniques to improve mobility, strength and muscular endurance.
As well as the improvement of the cardiocirculatory system and neuromuscular control that favours coordination, muscle tone and pain reduction.
Postural control, breathing patterns and movement patterns also have a positive influence on the improvement of the patient’s functional capacity.
The importance of the physiotherapist in choosing and designing an exercise programme according to the goals established in the assessment should be emphasised.
Successful exercise prescription
The factors that determine the success of exercise prescription in the face of injury are as follows:
Frequency
Intensity
Duration
Presence of symptoms
Adherence to treatment.
In order to achieve a functional outcome of the prescribed treatment, the physiotherapist must provide a specific treatment plan for each person in an individualised and personalised manner.
The progression of the treatment plan will be achieved through modifications in the parameters that determine the level of therapeutic exercise.
Exercise programme combined with technology
In conclusion, the prescription of therapeutic exercise plays a fundamental role in preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitation medicine.