Rehabilitative exercise refers to a program of exercise which will allow an individual to return to work, or cope with daily living in terms of healing from specific injuries, restoring mobility and overall conditioning. The word rehabilitative is based on Latin ‘habilitare’ meaning to enable or make fit. Exercise is the physical exertion to improve fitness or health and is based on Latin root word ‘exercitare’ meaning to train. Some individuals have been injured through accident or are dealing with chronic conditions. Athletes want to better their performance or improve their training. Rehabilitative exercise is the means to these objectives. The underlying concept is that exercise plays a key role in the prevention of chronic disease and disability and the maintenance and enhancement of strength, mobility, fitness and overall health.
Rehabilitative exercise can address various situations and therefore can take various forms:
There are centres focusing on exercise rehabilitation which integrate physiotherapy, kinesiology, massage therapy, athletic therapy, and neurophysiotherapy. An initial assessment is carried out followed by a treatment program which is based on the specific conditions of concern. A program of exercise will usually be prescribed both in the center’s gym as well as take-home exercises. Other physiotherapy centers approach exercise rehab through physiotherapy complemented by other modalities: massage therapy, yoga, pilates, acupuncture and shockwave therapy.
Select a region to view to corresponding Rehabilitative Exercise professionals operating there: