Improve Your Outcomes

You can get the most bang for your buck in physical therapy by participating in a Home Exercise Program (HEP). Compliance with your HEP is proven to significantly increase your chance of meeting your physical therapy goals. It’s estimated that only half of physical therapy patients comply with their HEP. What gets in the way?

Barriers to Exercise

HEP barriers tend to be the same as barriers to general exercise. Lack of time, planning, space, and equipment contribute to low HEP compliance. Try to schedule your HEP at a consistent time, and ask your physical therapist for tips and ideas to work with your existing space and equipment.

Pain and Perceptions

If exercise is painful, it’s understandable that you’d prefer to avoid it! It’s common to think that pain is inevitable or permanent, or to avoid reporting pain from exercise. But instead of skipping the exercises, talk to your physical therapist. Your therapist wants to you succeed, and will help adjust your HEP to set you up for success.

Perception is important too! If you don’t understand why a certain exercise has been prescribed, or what it’s meant to do, it can feel like a waste of time. Your therapist should explain the purpose and benefit of each exercise.

Lack of Support

Social support is shown to significantly improve HEP success. Strategies like CrossFit, group exercise classes, and someone to check in on you (a family member, friend, or physical therapist) will motivate you to be more consistent. Accountability is a big motivator!

At Alevia Physical Therapy, our goal is to restore optimal performance and function as quickly and safely as possible. A successful Home Exercise Program is a gigantic step on your road to recovery. We’re excited to personalize your plan to your goals, and to help you in your healing!