Rehabilitative exercises are essential in an optimal recovery and resumption of strength and movement. Often times, exercise alone can strengthen an injured limb – ultimately aiding in the recovery of minor injuries with no need for more invasive treatment.
Rehabilitative exercise as primary treatment is particularly effective in repetitive stress injuries and conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis and golfer’s elbow, Guyon’s canal syndrome, and trigger finger. It can also help educate patients about non-stressing joint movement and positions for improved joint function. Often times changing the manner in which a task is performed or a repetitive activity is approached can dramatically alter the adverse affects it previously prompted.
And by strengthening and improving flexibility of surrounding and opposing muscles, tendons and ligaments, the impact from force as well as daily activities is better distributed – placing less stress on a single region.
Rehabilitation programs may also initially include a period of rest from the activity placing stress on the limb, along with cold compression in order to reduce swelling and inflammation that causes stiffness and prolongs the rehabilitative process.
