Over the course of a single year, an estimated 4.27 million Canadians aged 12 or older suffered an injury severe enough to limit their usual activities.
Are you one of them? Recovering from an injury or an accident can be a complex, lengthy process. One of the best ways to return to pre-injury mobility is with the use of active rehabilitation.
Read on to learn what this is and how it can help.
What Is Active Rehabilitation?
Active rehabilitation is an all-encompassing exercise program designed to address injuries and return people to their pre-injury state. Active rehab begins with a detailed assessment that includes checking posture, core stability, muscle imbalances, and functional movement.
Then, a kinesiologist will create a custom corrective exercise program to address the specific issues of the client. Often, your therapist will be monitoring you during each exercise session to ensure that you are using the correct form and protocols.
Benefits of Active Rehab
Active rehabilitation has many benefits. These include the following:
- Decreased muscle scar tissue
- Reduced risk of falls and future injuries
- Better heart and lung function
- Increased bone density
- Increased energy and endurance
- Increased metabolism
- Increased self-confidence and independence
Active rehabilitation is a wonderful option for people who want to fully recover from an injury.
How This Differs From Physiotherapy and Kinesiology
The main difference between active rehabilitation and other treatments is that this treatment is active. So what’s the difference between active vs passive care?
Most other treatments, including massages, chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and seeing your doctor are passive forms of rehab. This means that as the patient, treatment is performed on you, but you do not do much.
Passive treatments can be useful in many instances. In fact, these are often used in conjunction with an active physical therapy program.
Yet, if you want to take control of your wellness and return to work stronger than before, active rehab is essential.
What an Active Rehab Specialist Does
Active rehabilitation is coordinated and administered by a kinesiologist. These specialists are qualified healthcare professionals who are educated and licensed by the Association of Kinesiologists in their province. They are experts on the science of the movement of the body.
During a foot consultation, an active rehab specialist will discuss injuries, medical history, and desired outcomes with clients.
Then, they will conduct a thorough initial assessment. After that, the specialist will create a custom client treatment plan.
The active rehab specialist may use many different therapy options, such as pool therapy, exercise therapy, fitness training, and more.
It’s important to understand that active rehab really is active. It will take effort and dedication from the client in order to make progress. Results will not be instantaneous, but they can be permanent.
Components of Active Rehab
People mistakenly believe that active rehabilitation is just one of many exercise-based programs. While the main focus of active rehab is exercise, there are other components that are just as important.
Rest
One of the things you will learn in active rehab is how important rest is. In fact, it is imperative to your recovery.
Exercise makes you stronger only when your body recovers following exercise. Your active rehab specialist will look at your sleep habits, how much you sit, and many other factors.
They will remind you to incorporate the necessary amounts of rest that your body needs between exercise sessions to achieve maximum results.
Nutrition
Nutrition may be a big component of your program. If you are overweight or obese, your weight is likely responsible for some of the symptoms you are experiencing, such as low back pain.
Weight loss and proper nutrition may be necessary as part of your active rehab plan. For others, nutrition may play a smaller role.
Mindset
Mindset is always an important part of your recovery. Your program will certainly touch on goal setting, focus, and attitude.
Having the right mindset is just as important as going through the motions. It won’t be easy. Your inner critic might try to sabotage your efforts.
The good news is that your active rehab specialist is your partner in this process. He or she will be able to help you develop a supportive mindset as you begin this healing journey.
Mindset can help with pain management, too.
Exercise
It’s no surprise that exercise is one of the components of an active rehab plan.
Exercise after an injury is vital for you to become stronger and more capable. Pain, fatigue, or other symptoms following an injury can make it a struggle to complete the tasks you want to do.
Exercise can help, and can also improve your quality of life. There are so many benefits to exercise, including better sleep, less stress, better moods, higher levels of energy, and more.
Also, you may be living with mechanical issues that aggravate your symptoms. For example, poor posture can make back pain worse. Exercises to correct spinal position and relieve tension on your muscles will make a big difference in how you feel.
It won’t be easy, but with your customized plan, you will see results.
Get Started With Active Rehabilitation Now
There you have it! Now you have a better understating of what active rehabilitation is, its components, and what to expect from the program.
At Easy Allied Health, personalized patient care is what sets us apart. We proudly serve the Greater Vancouver Area in both in-clinic and mobile appointments.
Book your appointment today to take the first steps to a better quality of life.
