When hearing the word “exercise”, most people think of fitness or “getting in shape”. Exercise can and does, make us fitter, healthier, stronger and more flexible.  However to a physical therapist, exercise is not a general term, but has many different purposes.
For example, John Smith lifted a box that was too heavy and strained his back.  He can’t straighten up and his torso is shifted to one side.  When John goes to his doctor, the doctor orders an image (X ray or MRI) and gives John pain medication and/or muscle relaxants. He also sends him to physical therapy. John is nervous because his back hurts too much to “exercise.”

However, the physical therapist understands that John is in pain. He or she will prescribe Early Injury Exercise.  This exercise GENTLY stretches the spasmed muscles and keeps the area lightly moving so that stiffness does not increase and the back begins to heal in a functional position.

As the injury begins to resolve, Postural Exercise is then prescribed to correct the postural problems.  John learns exercises to coax his spine into upright standing, to correct the torso shift and to begin to get normal spinal alignment.

As John continues to improve and heal, exercise changes again to restore his spinal motion and flexibility to normal.

Finally, in the last stages of healing, exercise is used to restore the strength lost and to give John the tools to avoid straining his back in the future.

Avoid “one size fits all” exercise programs and see a professional who understands the healing process.  The correct kind and amount of exercise is a large part of a physical therapist’s prescription for the treatment of an injury.