How to build the best home workout program for patients?

For all the physical therapy patients, completing the recommended home workout program is an essential component of the recovery routine. A set of exercises known as a home exercise program is something that patients do on their own time at home in order to maintain their strength and quicken the course of their treatment. The […]

April 10, 2023

Preetika Thakur

For all the physical therapy patients, completing the recommended home workout program is an essential component of the recovery routine. A set of exercises known as a home exercise program is something that patients do on their own time at home in order to maintain their strength and quicken the course of their treatment. The exercises patients perform at home are made to be useful and practical so they can exert themselves to the fullest without assistance.

The best home workout program encourages patients to engage in specific exercises and is intended to continue a patient’s recovery progress outside of the physical therapy office. Patients who routinely engage in these workouts and build up their muscles have a better chance of recovering.

As a physical therapist, you know that the patients need to do some work on their own if they want to fulfill their rehabilitation goals. A home exercise program can help them meet their goals. While the advantages of a home exercise program are well-established, the subsequent adherence to them in rehabilitation is a significant problem. The reasons for this are multifactorial and vary between everyone. You need to consider these reasons while designing the personalized exercise programs.

Here are some strategies that you need to follow while implementing best home workout programs to patients whose lives are already so full. Have a look –

Come up with an apt reason for every workout you design

As a physical therapist, you need to consider that any challenge that you set for your patients should be directly related to their goal, and they should be aware of this. They are more likely to follow through if it makes sense to them.

Do not forget who the real boss is

The patient is ultimately responsible for carrying out the plan, even if you are an expert in this area. It is best to ask your patients what they would like to do and how much time they can devote to the at-home element of the program. This will go a long way in creating a plan that they are thrilled to do rather than a task they might avoid.

Let your patients pick exercises for themselves

It is not fair to your patients if you are choosing the best home workout program for them. It is important to ask your patients if they like the exercises they are doing. If they do not, you need to work together to design a workout that they cannot wait to do.

Create exercises related to their functional goals

Your patients should be aware of every workout they are doing in the home program. Additionally, these workouts should be related to their functional goals. Your patients should understand how each exercise they are performing will gear them towards their goal without pain.

Simple and focused programs

Patients do not need carefully cataloged home programs to meet their goals. They can not dedicate hours and hours to their home exercise program. You need to keep it straightforward and focused.

A personalized approach

You can create the best home workout program tailored to specific needs of the patients. You can also provide patients with your own pictures and videos performing the prescribed exercises. They will get more involved in the treatment and it will eventually boost their confidence.

Takeaway

Physical therapists need to understand that a successful home workout program gets integrated into everyday life, and progress back to normal life. Patients want to do things they love. You will notice more compliance with home programs if you create HEPs that are fun and focused. Overall, adherence to HEPs can be facilitated by increasing the attractiveness of the program and by ensuring that they are being fully supported.

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