What is Functional Re-Hab? Functional rehabilitation is a program designed to help the patient improve or maintain functional abilities (eg activities of daily living). Re-hab includes building strength, flexibility and endurance, learning proper biomechanics (eg posture) for spine stability and injury prevention. Functional re-hab incorporates physical therapy principles. That is, passive treatments and therapeutic exercise are combined. Passive treatments include orthopaedic manipulation, electrical stimulation, myofascial release, ultrasound and heat/ice. Active treatment includes therapeutic exercise such as floor exercise, exercise on special equipment and aquatic therapy.

Passive Therapies
Orthopaedic Manipulation: Manual Therapy
Manual therapy includes manipulation and mobilization. This therapy involves restoring mobility (eg range of motion) to stiff joints and alleviating pain. Manipulation is a passive, specifically controlled, quick movement to release a joint back into correct position and/or reduce muscle spasms that may cause or contribute to spinal nerve irritation.

Prior to manual therapy, a passive therapy may be given. Passive therapy might include application of heat, ultrasound and/or electrical stimulation. These therapies relax and warm underlying soft tissue allowing joints to be more easily manipulated.

Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation is also known as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). TENS delivers a painless electrical current through the patient's skin to specific nerves. The current produces mild heat that works to relieve stiffness and pain and helps to improve range of motion (mobility). This treatment is non-invasive with no known side effects. It may be used to control acute pain and chronic pain.

Myofascial Release
Fascia is a sheath of connective tissue that supports muscles, bone, and organs. Stress from injury or poor posture causes the fascia to tighten. As the fascia constricts, muscles and bones may be pulled out of place causing pain. The physical therapist uses his fingers, palms, elbows and forearms to firmly and gently stretch the fascia.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a common non-invasive therapy used to treat back and neck pain, tendon and ligament injury, muscle spasms, joint problems and other spine related conditions.

The physical therapist applies gel to the patient's skin to create a friction free surface and the ultrasound probe is gently swirled over the area. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to deliver heat deep into tissues (eg muscles). This therapy promotes circulation and healing, relaxes muscle spasm, decreases inflammation and helps to alleviate pain.

Ice and Heat Therapies
Cold treatments are never applied directly to the skin. Ice (cold) can burn. A barrier such as toweling is placed between the skin and the cold source. Ice helps to reduce blood flow thereby decreasing swelling, inflammation and pain.

Heat therapy options include heat packs (plus skin barrier) and ultrasound. Warm moist heat increases circulation to the affected area. Blood carries needed nutrients to the area and flushes away toxins. Heat helps to relax stiff, sore muscles.

Active Therapies (Therapeutic Exercise)
Aquatic Therapy and Exercise

Patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal stenosis, back and neck pain and other spinal disorders can benefit from aquatic therapy (hydrotherapy). Treatment takes place in a heated pool. Aquatic therapy addresses impaired mobility, weakness, weight bearing tolerance, pain, flexibility and coordination. Warm water relaxes muscles. The buoyancy of water enables joints to be moved without excessive stress. Often, what a patient is unable to do on land can be done in water.

Therapeutic Exercise
Anyone can benefit from therapeutic exercise. Exercise builds strength, improves balance and coordination, improves sleep, increases flexibility, revs-up the cardiovascular system, tones muscles, and relieves musculoskeletal stiffness, fatigue and pain. The physical therapist will customize a program to meet the patient's individual needs.

Prior to therapeutic exercise, a passive modality is usually administered followed up by a period of pre-exercise warm-up activities. Warming up the body can be achieved by walking on a treadmill or stationary cycling.

Learning How to Move Safely: Biomechanics
During physical therapy, patients are taught how to maintain proper posture. Good posture helps protect the spine against unnecessary stress and strain. Back and neck pain are often caused by poor posture. Learning how to lift, reach, carry, stand, sit and get in and out of a car are all practical skills that can help prevent injury and pain.

Conclusion
At CCSI we are committed to the long-term well being and health of our patients. A carefully designed re-hab program for many of our patients is a critical part of their journey to return to health.