Exercise Therapy

Description

During the treatment, posture improvement and good quality of movement are central. There will be looked at what the patient does in daily life, so that the posture is also practically usable. There is little or no use of equipment, so the patient is able to keep his symptoms under control by himself. The patient becomes self-reliant, which has the great advantage that there are less recurring symptoms.
There are two methods for exercise therapy: Cesar and Mensendieck. A difference between both methods is that the Cesar therapist demonstrates the exercises and the Mensendieck therapist, on the other hand, suffices with an oral instruction. In addition, Cesar exercise therapy offers more dynamic exercises, such as swing exercises with the arms.

Indication

Exercise therapy offers help in case of back and neck problems, joint pain (pelvis, knee-ankle-foot, arm-shoulder-wrist), symptoms of chronic diseases of posture and musculoskeletal system, postural defects, headache, stress and incontinence.

Application

Exercise therapy is a form of therapy in which the patient mainly independently and actively deals with the symptoms. The patient gets a personal interview and a physical examination, in order to be able to make the right diagnosis. Then the therapist draws up a personal treatment plan for the patient, based on his or her physical and mental condition and social circumstances. The patient will also learn relaxation and breathing exercises and get tips for at home.

Effect

The goal of exercise therapy is to let the symptoms disappear, reduce and/or prevent them, based on your own movement capabilities. The situation of the patient and his or her daily activities are also taken into account.

Considerations

• Although the physical therapist gives exercises as well, and calls this exercise therapy, physical therapy also uses other techniques and tools such as massage, ultrasound, traction and fitness equipment. This is an essential difference with the approach by exercise therapists. These therapies are a do-it-yourself therapy par excellence, in which principally no other tools or devices are needed.

Facts

• The Mensendieck exercise therapy was developed in 1895 by the American exercise therapist Bess Mensendieck.
• One of her students was Marie Cesar. Cesar thought that the exercises should be performed in a certain rhythm. She also demonstrated the exercises. The patients should first imitate these exercises in front of the mirror and then do them without the mirror. Bess Mensendieck disagreed with her and the ladies got a big fight. Then Marie Cesar decided to start her own training program.