What’s a therapeutic exercise?

​

Therapeutic exercise refers to a range of physical activities that helps restore and build physical strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and stability. The goal of therapeutic exercise is returning an injured person to a pain-free, fully functioning state.

​

Here at Lifetime Wellness Chiropractic, therapeutic exercise is managed  by our chiropractor,

Dr. V. Claudia Varga BS, DC.

​

A therapeutic exercise begins by taking a medical history and evaluating a patient’s physical condition and capabilities. Based on an initial assessment, our chiropractor will determine a treatment plan that includes an exercise program tailored to the patient’s needs. Therapeutic exercise programs are carefully monitored and emphasize slow progression. Our chiropractor may assist the patient with some physical movements, if warranted, and will continuously modify the treatment plan according to the patient’s progress.

The first goal of any therapeutic exercise plan is to reduce pain and inflammation. Next, the goal may shift to regaining range of motion, rebuilding muscle strength, and developing endurance.

​

Therapeutic exercise programs may include:

• Strengthening exercises: To develop strength, the emphasis is on heavy resistance and a limited number of repetitions.

• Endurance exercises: To develop endurance, large muscle groups are engaged for a longer period of time.

• Flexibility exercises: To develop flexibility, stretching and movement are emphasized.

• Balance and coordination exercises: To develop balance and coordination, the emphasis is on center of gravity.

• Functional movement assessment: The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is a movement-based diagnostic system that assesses seven movement patterns. This system quickly identifies the root cause of musculoskeletal pain symptoms, allowing providers to select therapeutic exercises that will address the underlying problem.