Exercise therapy

Depending on the specific problems you are experiencing, your physiotherapist may recommend a variety of different treatment and preventative approaches such as exercise therapy, education and preventative advice and or mobilisation and manipulation. Sometimes we might try other techniques, such as acupuncture or shockwave therapy.

Your physiotherapist will carry out an assessment on you to help determine what treatments might help you most.

What is exercise therapy?

Movement and exercise can help improve your mobility and function.

Depending on your specific condition, your physiotherapist may recommend:

• Set exercises to improve movement and strength in a specific part of the body – you will normally have to repeat set exercises regularly for a specific length of time
• Activities such as swimming or walking that involve moving your whole body – this type of activity can help if you’re recovering from an operation or injury that affects your mobility
• Mobility aids – such as crutches or a walking stick to help you move around
• Advice and exercises to help you increase or maintain your physical activity – advice will be given on the importance of keeping active, and how to do this in a safe, effective way
• Exercises carried out in warm, shallow water (hydrotherapy or aquatic therapy) – the water can help relax and support the muscles and joints, while providing resistance to help you gradually strengthen.

Your physiotherapist may also recommend exercises that you can continue doing to help you manage pain in the long term or reduce your risk of injuring yourself again.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) website has some useful exercise advice leaflets for some common problems, as well as exercises to prevent falls.