Rehabilitation is an essential part of the recovery process after surgery or a major injury. To make the most of the resources available, it is important to understand the basic goals and principles of rehabilitation, as well as its limitations. There are four main principles of rehabilitation that form the foundation of this process: adaptation, emphasizing skills, treating the whole person, and time. Adaptation is the ability to adjust to changes in the environment.
This principle is especially important in physical rehabilitation, as it helps individuals to adjust to their new physical abilities and limitations. It also helps them to develop new skills and strategies for managing their condition. The second principle is emphasizing skills. This means that rehabilitation should focus on helping individuals develop and maintain the skills they need to function in their daily lives.
This includes physical skills such as balance and coordination, as well as cognitive skills such as problem-solving and decision-making. The third principle is treating the whole person. This means that rehabilitation should take into account not only physical needs but also psychological, social, and emotional needs. It should also consider any underlying medical conditions that may be affecting an individual's recovery.
The fourth principle is time. Rehabilitation should be tailored to an individual's specific needs and goals, and should be adjusted over time as those needs and goals change. It is important to remember that recovery from injury or surgery can take time, and that progress may not always be linear. Most people are surprised to find out how their injury or surgery can cause muscle weakness and loss of endurance.
Objective measures of muscle weakness and wear and tear are commonly seen after injury or surgery within 4-6 weeks. Minimizing muscle loss and strength deficits are important rehabilitation goals set out in a physical therapy program. The two main principles of motor learning to consider during rehabilitation are the amount and type of practice and the feedback available to the athlete. The principle of motor learning helps the rehabilitation professional to properly reintroduce movement patterns in the athlete. For this reason, the principle is widely used in the field of physical rehabilitation, where specific exercises are used to involve certain muscles or muscle groups.
