Your Physiotherapist’s talks! Know your Moves

S. Hemakumar*

Physiotherapist, Department of Physiotherapy, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai

*Correspondence: +91 98843 13271; [email protected]

What is an exercise prescription?

Teaching or educating exercises to an individual is a highly personalized approach. It involves developing a program that is tailored to the individual’s specific goals, fitness level, and physical limitations.

The first step in teaching exercises to an individual is to conduct a thorough assessment of their current fitness level and health status. This may involve testing for cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, and body composition, as well as reviewing any medical history or injuries (depends on where physiotherapist working speciality).

This decision-making can be fast, intuitive, or heuristic to analytical and evidence-based. Physiotherapist (clinicians) are expected to accurately diagnose patients’ problems based on limited evidence and in limited time. They must be a highly skilled expert to fulfil this expectation. A patient-centred physiotherapy practice requires shared decision-making based on collaboration between therapists and patients

This may involve incorporating exercises that target specific muscle groups or areas of the body, as well as incorporating cardiovascular activities to improve their pain score, restricted Range of motion, functional limitation, overall fitness and health.

When teaching exercises to an individual, it is important to provide clear instructions and demonstrations to ensure proper form and technique (most of the time Hard copies don’t work). This can help reduce the risk of injury and maximize the benefits of the exercise.

Patient education appears to be more effective when it is delivered in a systematic way according to an educational programme. Patient education has been defined as, “any set of planned activities designed to improve a patient’s health behaviours, health status, or both.”

One of the benefits of teaching exercises to an individual is the ability to provide personalized feedback and support. This can help individuals stay motivated and engaged in their exercise regime/movements, and can also help them overcome any obstacles or challenges that may arise.

Overall, by providing personalized guidance and support, it can help individuals achieve the following

To reduce pain
Improve self confidence in their movements (eating, self-dressing, bathing etc.)
Achieving their Functional independence (walking, climbing stairs, crossing roads etc)
And improve their overall health and well-being.

Chennai Physiotherapy Department

Mr. Hemakumar,

Physiotherapist

Your Physiotherapist’s talks! Know your Moves