Continuous Care, Prehab and Post-Rehab Training
Prehab is designed for clients who want to build strength and resilience before undergoing surgery. Post-rehab programs help patients recovering from injury or surgery, including other conditions that require physical and/or occupational therapy.
The Lori Michiel Fitness “continuous care” training approach emphasizes practical, functional movement by assessing each client’s needs and then applying exercises that complement their stage of rehabilitation. Each client is given exercises that are carefully selected for them so they may achieve their goals with greater confidence
“…It was important for our family to have you and Stephanie actively work with Peter to change his own mindset from that of he was “recovering with a therapist” to the mindset of he was “working out with a trainer.”
How Physical Therapy and Lori Michiel Fitness Work Together
Conversations between Lori Michiel Fitness and a Physical Therapist start prior to a client being discharged from service.
- Prescribed exercises from the client’s Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist or Physician are incorporated into the exercise protocol
- Differentiate between muscle weakness caused by lack of use or as a result of a medical condition
- Develop an exercise program to minimize pain and improve overall strength
- Take into consideration any neurological challenges such as Parkinson’s disease or post-stroke, or orthopedic limitations due to knee, back, shoulder and other types of injuries, etc.
- Arrange a safe and effective exercise program at home to help encourage improving quality of life
1. Basic Training
The first three to four sessions after an assessment are used to create a client’s workout base. All clients are required to go through this process. Our goal is to give our clients everything they need to train safely while learning all they can about exercise.
- Core Training
- Stretching/Flexibility
- Posture
- Balance
- Correction of Form
2. Prescribed Exercises
Close communication takes place between Lori Michiel Fitness and the client’s PT, OT or MD to maintain the client’s protocol while adapting it to a new training program. Prescribed exercises are performed concurrently with number three: Imbalance Correction.
3. Imbalance Correction
Every client has muscular imbalances that may cause the same repetitive injuries. Our job is to understand these imbalances and use corrective exercise techniques. Every client is different; therefore, the selection of exercises is different. This phase is never fully completed because our bodies are always changing. We use specialized balance training equipment, resistance bands and weights to improve overall ability and condition.
4. Continuous Care (Direct Training)
Once prehab and post-rehab training is complete, this stage can be a real milestone for most clients. From here, we focus on helping them keep the progress they’ve worked to achieve while continuing to grow stronger with new exercises and techniques.