At Orthopedic Physical Therapy Institute, it is our job to get you back to health after surgery or injury. We know just how important physical health is to quality of life, and we take our job seriously. With each appointment, our Physical Therapy team actively works with patients on their road to recovery, but we know we only have limited time in a patient’s life. To help our patient’s succeed in getting back to health, we send patients home with a customized home exercise program to aid in recovery.
We know how hard it is to carve out exercise in our busy daily lives, and so much more so during the recovery process. With the program OPTI uses for our patients, it is simple and straightforward to begin a home exercise plan tailored to you. We use a program called Medbridge to give our patients specific, recovery-oriented exercise plans available in a handy app right on a phone or tablet (or a computer browser)!
Our easy to use plans have a custom exercise program, educational resources, as well as any notes the PT may have for the patient. We don’t expect our patients to remember every single detail of a handful of exercises and proper technique we show them in the clinic when they get home. Our passion is seeing people return to their full lives healthy and healed, and one of the biggest ways we do that is by setting our patients up to succeed.
Through Medbridge, each exercise has an instructional video, as well as specific details for how often each exercise should be performed, and how many reps and sets. Each exercise also has written instructions that include setup, the type of movement, and any necessary tips for proper form, or adjusting for specific patient needs. There is no guesswork involved in the road to recovery, but it does take effort and consistency from each patient to fully heal. Here are our top 5 tips to succeed in your home exercise program:
- Know Your Why
If your reason for completing each workout is “well, my physical therapist told me to”, there is not a lot of motivation to get you started or maintain the program. Understanding fully your “why”, and keeping that in the forefront of your mind as you exercise can make all the difference.
What is your “why” in recovery? Maybe your “why” is being able to chase after your kids or grandkids again. Maybe it’s entering that next race. Or skiing next season (or this season!). Each “why” is as different as each road to recovery, but they are all equally important.
- Understand Your Path to Recovery:
Understanding your injury and recovery progress fully is imperative to succeeding in your recovery. Patient education is a key part of our treatment, but if you do not understand an aspect of your care or exercise program, speak up! We’d love to answer any questions and set you up for success.
- Plan Out Your Day
Plan ahead! Pencil in your exercise time, and make it a priority. Set a reminder on your phone or home hub, until doing your exercises is a normal part of daily life. The key to recovery is consistency, and your body will thank you for forming positive habits for recovery.
- Have the Right Equipment
Check with your physical therapist to make sure you have what you need at home as far as exercise equipment. Most exercises can be easily performed with no equipment, and is tailored to each patient’s specific recovery needs. The exercises may be performed from the couch or bed depending on the patient, or on the floor, standing up, or using a chair for balance. However, using light dumbbells, resistance bands, or a foam roller may be necessary for your exercise
plan. Make sure to assemble everything you need before starting your program, with the help and recommendation of your physical therapist.
- Make an Environment for Success
An open, safe space is essential to succeed with your home exercise program. Set aside a place to exercise. You can lay down a yoga mat, have a water bottle nearby, and turn on some music. Your body and brain will appreciate the cues of a good environment to signal “Hey, We’re ready to work out now!”
Let us assist you in your road to recovery after injury or surgery! Call OPTI today at (208)966-4476 to schedule an appointment with one of our excellent Physical Therapists.
Photo Credit: Medbridgego.com
