Archive for Post Rehab Tips

Post Rehab Tips #12 – Levels of Assistance

Sometimes you will receive a referral to work with a client that requires assistance with balance, transfers and ambulation. You must be aware of the three levels of assistance. The levels of assistance are:
a. Maximal Assistance
b. Moderate Assistance
c. Minimal Assistance
Click on the link below [...]

Post Rehab Tip #11 – The step-by-step medical history interview

A thorough medical history must be completed on each post rehab client. Verbally ask the client each question on the med history form. Direct interaction with the client allows for a much more accurate medical history appraisal and avoids the possibility of a medical condition slipping through the cracks. The medical condition [...]

Post Rehab Tip #10 – Overall Leg Strength in Post Rehab Fitness

“Overall Leg Strength” is a concept to be considered when working with clients referred with lower extremity disorders such as total knee or hip replacement and ACL rupture. Overall leg strengthening simply means strengthening the muscles of the lower extremity to lift 2-3 x bodyweight. This is important for climbing stairs, stepping off [...]

Post Rehab Tip #9 – Understanding Bone Spurs or Osteophytes

Bone spurs are known as osteophytes. Osteophytes occur as a result of osteoarthritic changes. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) does not cause osteophytes. RA usually polishes the end of long bones. When the physician looks at an x-ray, an indicator of osteoarthritis is the presence of bone spurs along the margins of the joint. Osteophytes are a [...]

Post Rehab Tip #8 – The Use of the Thomas Test

The post rehab and/or corrective exercise assessment of the lower extremity commonly includes the the Thomas test. The Thomas test is often illustrated and demonstated incorrectly with the pelvis positioned far back on the surface supporting the client. The test should be performed with the ischial tubs placed on the edge of the [...]

Post Rehab Tip 7 – The Components of Function

Medical Exercise Specialists and Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist are bombarded with information on “functional training” programs. It’s important to understand the components of function and how exercise will impact on the overall functional capacity of the post rehab client. Functional improvement is the most important aspect of rehabilitation. The components to function include:

If any [...]

Post Rehab Tip #6 – Utilization of Heart Rate Monitors

Use heart rate monitors with ALL clients. Even clients with musculoskeletal disorders should use heart rate monitors. Many clients do not exercise at the appropriate intensity levels. Working in the target zones ensures the improvement of cardiovascular efficiency and the avoidance of extremely high exercise intensity. Though heart rate monitors may [...]

Post Rehab Tip #5 – Wolfe’s Law

Wolfe’s Law is the very basis of post rehab and strength training. Wolfe postulated that if we stress connective tissue it will become stronger. Strengthen training actually makes bone, muscle, tendons, ligaments, muscle and even cartilage stronger. Even connective tissue has limits. This limit is known as the “physiologic threshold”. [...]

Post Rehab Tip #4 – Post Rehab Red Flags

When we implemented our Medical Exercise Specialist workshop and certification program, we realized it was important the post rehab professional be able to identify the inappropriate client. We established the “Post Rehab Red Flags” to give post rehab professionals hard fast signs they could easily see to identify that inappropriate client. The post [...]

Post Rehab Tip #3 – Post Rehab Scope of Practice

The scope of practice for the post rehab professional includes the following functions:
a. Fitness Assessment
b. Strength Training
c. Cardiovascular Training
d. Flexibility Training
e. Functional Conditioning
f. Aquatic Exercise
g. Spinal Stabilization Training
h. Diabetic/Hypertensive Training
i. [...]