What is post-rehab fitness?

Post-rehab is the development and implementation of fitness programming for clients with special conditions and post-rehab conditions. Post-rehab does not purport to provide any aspect of medical treatment of a client’s condition or diagnosis. The post-rehab program should provide the following services:
1.Fitness assessments
2.Strength training
3.Flexibility training
4.Cardiovascular training
5.Functional conditioning
6.Aquatic fitness training
7.Weight reduction
8.Hypertension/Diabetes fitness training
9.Spinal stabilization

Post-rehab training requires a clear understanding of the role of the fitness professional when working with post-rehab clients. The fitness professional should not attempt to provide any form of diagnosis, medical treatment nor parlay the post-rehab program as being anything other than a specialized fitness program.

Clients should be properly screened to ensure their safety and integrity of the program. Every client should be required to have a referral from a physician, physical therapist or chiropractor. The referral should indicate the client’s condition, the requested services and expectations of duration and frequency of the post-rehab program.

Each client should complete a musculoskeletal and cardiovascular fit screen prior to beginning any activity. The fit screen allows the fitness professional to ensure the client is appropriate for post-rehab services. If the client demonstrates any of the following red flags he or she is sent back to their referring practitioner.

Radiating pain
Numbness/tingling
Chest pain/shortness of breath
Swelling
Loss of range of motion
Night pain
Open wounds

Following the screening a functional fitness assessment should be completed to determine the client’s functional conditioning level. The fitness program is then developed based on the findings of the assessment. The fitness program is than forwarded to the referral source for review and approval. The functional conditioning level should be re-assessed at least every four weeks to determine the client’s progress.

Health and Exercise Prescriptions has PostRehab guidelines for:

Fibromyalgia
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cerebrovascular Accident
ACL Rupture
Tennis Elbow
Achilles Tendon Rupture
Ankle Fx/Sprain
Lumbar Disc Herniation
Cervical Strain
Knee Meniscus Tear
Patello-Femoral Syndrome
Total Hip Replacement
Total Knee Replacement
Rotator Cuff Tear
Impingement Syndrome
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Shoulder Dislocation
AC Joint Separation
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Multiple Sclerosis
Osteoporosis
Hypertension
Congestive Heart Failure
Diabetes
Patella Tendon Rupture
Total Shoulder Replacement
Laminectomy
Spinal Fusion
Spondylolethesis
Bicipital Tendinitis
Asthma
Myocardial Infarct
Myocardial Infarct
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Piriformis Syndrome
IT Band Syndrome
Patellectomy
Patello-Femoral Syndrome
Piriformis Syndrome
Spinal Stenosis
Tibial Plateau Fracture
PCL Rupture
Glenoid Labrum Tear