If you have ever been to physical therapy before, you have likely been told to complete a certain set of exercises at home, in conjunction to your PT sessions. You may wonder why you need to do things at home if you are already coming to physical therapy 1-2x/week. You may be asking Why Home Exercise Programs are Important for physical therapy. Below are 4 reasons why I stress the importance of completing your home exercise routine.

1. Track Your Progress

Completing your home exercises allows you to better assess if the exercises are helping with your impairment. If you complete 2-3 individualized exercises at home throughout the week, ideally, you will begin feeling better. If you are feeling better and moving around better – it is working! If the exercises make your impairments worse or cause more pain, consult with your physical therapist before continuing. 

2. Maintain Momentum

It will keep you moving! If you are consistent with completing a few set exercises at home throughout the week, it will ensure that you are moving around throughout the day. After all, movement is medicine. The more you move around, the more your blood flows, and the more healing that occurs.

3. Jumpstart a Healthy Life

It can be the start of a healthier lifestyle. If you implement home exercises into a daily routine, this can carry over into continuing exercise even after you graduate from physical therapy! This will promote healthy habits that will carry over in day to day activities. 

4. Achieve Success

You will meet your goals! A physical therapist will individualize your HEP throughout your care and update it along the way. It will allow you to focus on specific activities to meet your own personal goals.

Summary

While doing exercises at home may feel repetitive, it is in your best interest to be consistent with what your physical therapist recommends.  Hopefully, this article helps you understand why home exercise programs are important. You are likely to meet your goals more quickly and may even enjoy it after a while…Movement is medicine!

Book an appointment online, if you’re ready to start your path towards long-term healing.

Susannah Azofeifa, PT, DPT was born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky but now calls North Augusta, SC home. She attended the University of Louisville and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science in 2017. She then attended Breanu University where she received her doctorate of physical therapy in 2021. Susannah enjoys treating a wide range of orthopedic conditions and also specializes in treating pelvic floor dysfunction, and pre and post partum individuals. She enjoys spending time doing activities such as CrossFit, being outdoors, traveling, being with family, and spending time with her husband, Fabian. She heads up our Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT) program here at ProActive.