It is really good to be exercising right now, when physio practices are not fully open again. The great thing about exercise is that it is keeping the status quo in check. This means that your mobility is staying the same and you are not deteriorating, which is exactly what we want as physios in the time like this.

But, have you been following the same program for the past 4 to 6 months now, doing the same exercises over and over again?

You probably wondering why I am asking you this.

Whilst repetition is important for re-learning and re-integration before movements become automatic, so is the right level of difficulty for your exercises. You see, once movements become automatic, it means the body has internalised the learning and exercises should be progressed in order to keep the brain engaged in your exercises. Exercises need to be pitched at the right level of difficulty with the right awareness in order to encourage your brain and body connection and in order to promote muscle building or strengthening. What many people don’t know is that the brain switches off during rehab if exercises are not varied or if they are too easy or if they are not stimulating or engaging.

So, what if you could be getting stronger and more mobile versus maintaining your current level of mobility?

Just think about how different things could be if you were stronger and more mobile

Think about what your life would be like for you if you were more mobile and stronger

Think about all the new activities would be possible that could you be doing or planning with your loved ones

Take one of my clients who had a brachial plexus injury. When I first met him, he could barely move his arm away from his body actively and the muscles around his shoulder were very tight. Over a 3-year period, we continually increased the intensity, difficultly and focus of his exercises with the right awareness to ensure his brain was also engaged in his rehab with his body. We worked on regaining range of movement passively and actively in his shoulder and arm. You see he was told that he would regain 50% of the function in his arm by specialists initially. Fast-forward 2.5 to 3 years and he is able to do shoulder stands, do indoor climbing and lift barbell weights overhead with good control and stability in his arm. 

Yes, you read correctly…. shoulder stands. This incredible progress took hard work, dedication, his motivation and belief that he could achieve more than specialist said he could, and we constantly varied his exercises and challenged his muscles and worked on his brain-body connection. This is what rehab is all about. The other really important things to know are what exercises to do and when in order to encourage progress and strengthening.

So, I have a question for you to ask yourself; are your exercises pitched at the right level for you or has your body outgrown them, needing more stimulation and fresh exercises again to challenge your body?

If the answer is yes, and if you are a go-getter and want to take the reins and be in control of your rehab, then the 30-Day Reconnect your Arms or 30-Days to stronger arms course gives you just that. Click here to find out more

Love and Blessing 

Natalie x

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