I am often asked the question “How long do I need to keep up the exercise program you’ve established for me?”
My answer: Forever.
Then I get that look, seriously?!
The injured area will always be a weak point in your body. If you had a fracture, your bone mends, but it is not the original bone which is stronger.
If you had a strain or tear of a muscle, the inflammation will subside and the muscle will knit together, but it is also weaker. The scar tissue that is put down is a crisscross random laying down of fibers, unlike original muscle where the fibers interlock to allow smooth contraction and elasticity.
To keep an injured area strong you have to keep up your strengthening program. This will assure that the area stays as stable and healthy as possible.
Saying that, our bodies are constantly in flux. Why is that one day you feel you can run up the stairs and not be out of breath and the next day you’re huffing and puffing after the 2nd flight?
Why can you one day do a double pirouette without even thinking about it and the next day you struggle to stay balanced for a single turn?
It all depends on how our bodies are centered from activities we did that day or the day before, how we slept, or even our mental status.
So even though you have a great exercise program, it is always wise to have revisions done to it. It may no longer be relevant to your current situation. Did you gain weight? Did you lose weight? Did you start a new activity? Did you change jobs where you may no longer be at the computer as much but standing more?
Not only are there changes in your life, but muscles begin to get used to what they have been doing over and over again. Therefore, one of 2 things can happen: 1. you get an overuse syndrome or 2. you stop progressing forward in your strength.
Ever wonder why all of a sudden something is easy when initially it was so hard to do?
Your exercise program should always change according to what your body is currently going through.
Many of my clients do follow-up care after discharge because they aren’t sure if they are still doing the exercises correctly or if they are still currently valid for them.
I offer a year of wellness package where you come in once a month for me to check up on your program and see if we need to do any changes to it and to check your form. This is for those who want to ensure they keep making progress towards their goals with an occasional tune-up once they have completed their plan of care in Physical Therapy.
Interested in signing up for this package, reply to this email.
Let’s continue your road forward to reach your goals of a more active, mobile, and fully functional life!
To Your Health,
Cynthia
President/Wellness Rehabilitation Inc.
10410 Kensington Parkway, Suite 11, Kensington, MD 20895301-493-9257 www.wellnessrehab.org cynthia@wellnessrehab.org
