Exercises to Be Cautious Of Post Rehab Exercise Programs

Published:  02/19/2018

Don't risk re-injury after recovering from an injury. Post-rehab exercise programs, led by certified professionals, provide a safe and structured approach to regaining strength and flexibility. These programs are customized to your individual needs, minimizing the risk of setbacks and maximizing your recovery.

Post-rehab exercise programs meet the needs of clients who do not feel comfortable or knowledgeable enough to exercise on their own, given their medical condition and history. These types of programs are typically designed for the patient who has completed their physical therapy and want to transition to gym workouts. 

If you have had an injury, you may not know how to proceed with post-injury exercise. It is crucial that you consult with someone who knows how do transition you from injury recovery to the gym with a program that is going to help you and not cause further harm.  Most personal trainers do not have the training in this area. The ultimate goal is to achieve physical fitness, continued recovery without further or continued harm through carefully developed, customized and specialized personal training.

Do not try to create your own program. Post-rehab is a key component to keeping your body healthy and without it, it is possible to regress. Trained Post Rehab Exercise Specialist fitness professionals have been specially trained to design specialized programs with people with musculoskeletal, neurologic, and cardiovascular conditions. For example, a 56-year-old former football player, with a history of multiple surgeries and chronic conditions, was referred to us. Their self-designed workout routine included high-risk exercises that could have exacerbated their existing injuries. By working with me, a trained post-rehab specialist, they were able to develop a safe and effective program that helped them regain strength and mobility without risking further damage.

Exercises to Consider Avoiding

Here are the contraindicated exercises that I removed from my client's program and my explanation of why.

The Pec Dec Machine is high risk for those with shoulder problems since many machines take the joint to an extreme range of external rotation and horizontal abduction, placing the joint in a vulnerable position.

The Overhead Shoulder Press is controversial due to the vulnerable position of shoulder and increased risk of injury.

The DB Fly is considered high risk because of the risk of extreme, uncontrolled end range of motion in the eccentric phase), leading to shoulder joint injury.

The Triceps Dip is risky because the front of the shoulder is placed at risk due to the starting position of the upper arm.

The Leg Extension Machine creates constant ACL tension and it places undue stress on the kneecap, so people with ligament injuries should avoid this exercise. There is an increased risk of lateral patellar deviation, no hamstring activity and increased joint stress in regards to shear forces.

The Sitting Ab Crunch Machine limits you to one restricted movement, specifically one that may cause lower back issues, including herniated discs in your spine. Core Exercises such as: Sit ups, Low Leg Lifts, Leg Tosses, GHD Sit-Ups, Scissor, Crocodiles, Hanging Leg Lifts, Pilates Roll Up, Pilates Jackknife. Here is a link to more information about How Your Ab Exercises May Be Hurting Your Back.

I am removing these harmful exercises from his workout and replacing them with safe, more effective exercises.

If you've recently undergone physical therapy, transitioning back to regular exercise can be daunting. Post-rehab exercise programs are designed to guide you safely through this process. These programs are tailored to your specific needs and medical history, ensuring a smooth and effective recovery.

Let me know how I can help you with your post-rehab workout. I can work with you even if you do not live in my area.