After a serious illness or a medical event, being on bed rest for months at a time, having a major surgery, or undergoing intense treatments like chemotherapy may keep you alive. However, people often come out of these experiences with very different needs and different abilities than before. They may only have a fraction of the strength they used to have, and their mobility may be limited.
Medical rehabilitation involves much more than the basics of physical and occupational therapy. These help to restore range of movement, coordination and strength. Most people will need additional strength and mobility training to live an independent and rewarding life.
This article outlines 10 benefits of strength and mobility training for people with disabilities, serious illnesses or injuries.
How does strength and mobility training help people with disabilities, serious illnesses or injuries?
After a serious illness, injury or medical event, strength and mobility training can make a big impact on your quality of life. It takes energy and endurance to do the activities that make life meaningful. Physical fitness helps you actively participate in life, boosts your immune system and can reduce pain.
You may have limited ability due to muscle imbalances, weakness, amputations or other lingering effects. Mobility training helps you learn adaptive ways to get around. You may need to develop some new skills or learn to use a prosthetic, a mobility device or other forms of assistive technology.
10 benefits of strength and mobility training for people with disabilities, serious illnesses or injuries
At the beginning of outpatient medical rehabilitation, you may not know exactly how your life will change or how much you’ll be able to recover. Our job at Ability KC is to provide the unique treatment plan you’ll need to reach your full potential and help you every step of the way. Your strength and mobility are foundational pieces that other aspects of your rehabilitation will depend on.
People with disabilities, serious illnesses or injuries can expect the following benefits from strength and mobility training:
- Personal safety — Having the strength and ability to get around is a matter of personal safety. In an emergency situation, you will rely on your mobility for safety.
- Independence — Your physical abilities play a large role in your daily independence. Strength and mobility help you with everyday activities both in your home and out in the community.
- Decreased pain perception — Having strong muscles and tissue makes your body more resilient to pain. Whether you have arthritis, pain and stiffness, or other illnesses, physical fitness will help the recovery process and help decrease pain.
- Increased energy — Exercise can help you regain energy. Better circulation, stronger muscles and flexibility will help you do more of the things that make life worth living.
- Better mood — Along with physically feeling better in your body, the endorphins in your system are likely to boost your moods. After regaining some strength in medical rehab, many of our patients start to feel more confident and optimistic about future goals.
- Cardiovascular health — Cardiovascular health is important for everyone. Especially those with a higher risk of heart disease, infections, diabetes, stroke and other health concerns.
- Faster and more complete recovery — Your physical strength and mobility support specific treatment goals and desired outcomes. Moving your body increases circulation and blood flow, which helps physical injuries heal faster.
- Adaptive movement — You may not be able to do things the way you did before, but mobility training will teach you adaptive movements and skills to find alternative ways for independence.
- Assistive technology training — If you need a prosthetic, a wheelchair, a walker, a white cane or another type of assistive tech to get around, you’ll learn how to use it in mobility training.
- Physical fitness — Physical fitness is a benefit in itself. Strength and mobility training will help you learn ways to exercise that work for you to be healthy and fit.
Strength and mobility training is an important part of rehabilitation at Ability KC
The scope of outpatient medical rehab is broader than the treatments you receive and the exercises you do during sessions. It’s about adapting each area of your life so you leave with a plan to maintain your wellness and independence. This includes multiple areas of life, from diet and meal planning to work, transportation, social support and more. At Ability KC, we help our patients develop the strength and the skills they need to get around in their homes and their communities.
We have a full fitness center with adaptive equipment for every body. You’ll use these with your therapists and work on strength and mobility during group training sessions. Group therapies help provide some motivation and encouragement throughout your rehabilitation journey.
Ability KC surpasses national and international standards for rehab facilities. We’re a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF). We also have a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation.
Ready to get started? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.