Movement therapy

What is exercise therapy and how does it work?

Exercise therapy is a method of physiotherapy that can relieve pain, improve mobility and strengthen muscles.
Regular exercise stimulates blood circulation and increases general well-being, which can support the healing process.
There are two main forms: In active movement therapy, the patient performs the exercises themselves, while in the passive version, the therapist performs the movements.
Exercises with equipment or in water are often added to enhance the effect.
Exercise therapy can be used both preventively, to prevent illness, and for rehabilitation, to rebuild the body after injuries or operations.

What do you do during exercise therapy?

Movement therapy uses various movement exercises and techniques to improve health and promote mobility.
The therapy is individually tailored to the respective problem, be it muscle, joint or nerve damage.
The aim is to alleviate pain, facilitate movement and improve quality of life.

The methods include post-isometric relaxation (PIR), for example, in which muscles are tensed and relaxed to make stiff joints more flexible.
With PNF, nerves and muscles are specifically activated through manual stimuli such as pressure or stretching in order to improve coordination and mobility.
In manual therapy, joints and muscles are gently mobilized to relieve pain and promote mobility.

Medical training therapy (MTT) is also widely used.
Here, special equipment such as bands or dumbbells are used to train strength, endurance and mobility.
This is particularly helpful for back problems or osteoporosis.
For people with neurological problems, such as after a stroke, the Bobath concept is used, in which those affected relearn lost movement patterns through guided movements.

A therapy session at the NUHR Medical Center begins with a discussion in which our therapist assesses your symptoms.
Suitable exercises are then carried out, either actively (by the patient), assistively (with support) or passively (by the therapist).
The therapy can either take place individually, where the therapist takes care of you individually, or in a group, where exercises are done together.
Aids such as exercise balls or elastic bands are often used to facilitate or support the movements.

Who prescribes exercise therapy and how does the prescription process work?

Exercise therapy is usually prescribed by doctors, such as GPs, orthopaedists, neurologists or rehabilitation specialists, depending on the type of complaint.
There are clear medical reasons for prescribing exercise therapy, for example in the case of restricted movement, pain or after injuries.
Exercise therapy is also useful for chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis or back pain and after operations.

At the NUHR Medical Center, every treatment begins with a detailed consultation and a medical examination.
Our doctor decides whether exercise therapy is necessary.
The doctor’s prescription contains information on the duration and frequency of the therapy.
Based on this, an individual therapy plan is drawn up and you receive a specific offer.

Partial direct settlement of therapy costs is possible with BVAEB, SVS-LW and SVS-GW.
Other health insurance companies usually reimburse 80 percent of the costs.
If the exercise therapy is part of a rehabilitation or spa stay, social insurance usually covers the costs, although there is often an income-related co-payment.
We recommend that you contact your health insurance company directly for more information.

What does a movement therapist do and how do they differ from other therapists?

Movement therapists specialize in helping people with movement problems through targeted exercises and therapies.
In Austria, this profession is regulated by a three-year training course at a university of applied sciences.
This training qualifies graduates as “physiotherapists”.
Exercise therapists may carry out their treatments on a doctor’s orders, but can also work in health promotion without needing a doctor’s prescription.
In a therapy center, movement therapists work closely with doctors and other specialists such as occupational therapists or speech therapists.

There are various specializations within movement therapy.
Some therapists focus on the treatment of back problems or joint pain, while others specialize in neurological disorders or sports injuries.
The difference to physiotherapists, sports therapists and rehabilitation professions lies in the focus of their work.
While exercise therapists often work with patients who have limitations due to illness or injury, sports therapists usually work with healthy people who want to improve their performance.
Rehabilitation counselors also focus on recovery after injury or surgery, but often work more closely with medical rehabilitation programs.

When is exercise therapy used?

Movement therapy is used in many situations:

• It can be very effective for orthopaedic problems such as back pain or joint problems, as it can relieve pain and improve mobility.
• In the case of neurological diseases, such as after a stroke or multiple sclerosis, movement therapy helps to gradually restore motor skills.
• For people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or cardiovascular problems, exercise therapy is important to stabilize health and control symptoms.
• It is also used preventively to prevent injuries.
  For example, for older people to avoid falls, or for athletes to keep fit and prevent injuries.

What is the difference between exercise therapy and physiotherapy?

Basically, physiotherapy is the generic term that covers both areas.
Physiotherapy includes physiotherapy as a major sub-area that focuses on specific exercises to improve physical functions.
Movement therapy is also a branch of physiotherapy that uses a broader range of methods that focus on movement.

Physiotherapy aims to systematically improve patients’ mobility and strength through exercises, especially after injuries or operations.
This therapy focuses on restoring movement skills and relieving pain.
In contrast, movement therapy covers a broader spectrum.
It is not only used for orthopaedic complaints such as back pain or joint problems, but also for neurological conditions such as after a stroke, chronic diseases such as diabetes or for injury prevention.

Exercise therapy is often preferred when the treatment requires complex approaches and involves more than just performing exercises.
In practice, both forms of therapy are often combined for a holistic treatment concept.

What types of exercise therapy are there?

Active vs. passive

In movement therapy, a distinction is made between active and passive approaches.
In active therapy, patients do exercises themselves.
These can be targeted gymnastic exercises, sports or special training programs.
Passive therapy, on the other hand, is carried out by the therapist without the patient actively participating.
This includes massages, passive stretching or certain mobilization techniques.

Aquatherapy, back training, respiratory therapy

There are some particularly popular types of exercise therapy, such as aquatherapy, which involves performing exercises in water.
The water supports and relieves the body, which makes movement easier and can reduce pain.
Then there is back school, which is specifically aimed at preventing and treating back pain.
Here, patients learn exercises that strengthen the back and improve posture.
Respiratory therapy is also important, especially for people with respiratory diseases.
This involves specific breathing exercises to improve breathing patterns and support lung function.

Combination of exercise therapy with other forms of therapy

Modern movement therapy often goes one step further and combines different approaches.
For example, movement therapy can be combined with occupational therapy.
Occupational therapy helps patients to cope better with everyday tasks, while movement therapy improves their physical ability to do so.
This combination ensures that patients not only increase their physical fitness, but also improve their overall quality of life.

Manual therapy vs. device-supported therapy

Manual therapy involves targeted manual techniques in which the therapist works directly on muscles, joints and connective tissue.
Techniques such as mobilizations and soft tissue treatments are used to relieve pain and improve mobility.
Equipment-assisted therapy uses special training equipment to support patients in their exercises.
Here, things like pulleys, elastic bands or dumbbells are used to perform targeted movements and strength exercises.
Both methods have their strengths and are often used in combination to achieve the best possible therapeutic success.

What are the benefits of exercise therapy?

Exercise therapy has a positive influence on various aspects of health.

Improve mobility, strength and coordination

Regular exercise therapy strengthens the muscles, mobilizes the joints and improves coordination.
This leads to better mobility and strength in everyday life, which helps you to cope with everyday tasks more easily and increase your physical fitness.

Prevention of further injuries and chronic illnesses

Exercise therapy can help prevent injuries as it stabilizes the muscles and supports the joints.
It can also reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease by stimulating the metabolism and strengthening the cardiovascular system.

Promoting independence in everyday life

By improving your physical fitness and functional ability through exercise therapy, your independence in everyday life is promoted.
This can be particularly important for people recovering from injuries or operations or older people who want to maintain their quality of life.

Positive effects on mental well-being

Exercise not only has physical but also psychological benefits.
It helps to reduce stress, lift your mood and improve your general well-being.
Regular exercise therapy can therefore also strengthen your mental health and promote a sense of joie de vivre and satisfaction.

What does individual treatment look like in movement therapy?

Therapy begins with a detailed consultation and a thorough examination.
Our NUHR expert collects information about your medical history, current complaints and lifestyle habits.
Every person is unique, so the therapy approaches should also be individually tailored.
We select targeted techniques and exercises that take into account your specific complaints and support your personal goals.
Whether it’s gentle techniques, mobilization, manipulation or special exercises – everything is designed to best suit your condition.
Depending on the nature and severity of the condition, therapy can be short or long-term.
Short-term therapies often focus on acute problems or specific goals, while long-term therapies involve more comprehensive rehabilitation or preventative measures.
The course and duration of therapy are regularly reviewed and adjusted to ensure that you make the best possible progress.

The exercises and techniques are continuously adapted as the therapy progresses.
Your progress is regularly evaluated by our experts and the therapy is modified accordingly to achieve new goals or meet changing needs.

How can the success of exercise therapy be secured in the long term?

To ensure the success of your exercise therapy in the long term, it is important to remain active and committed.

First of all, you should plan regular exercise into your daily routine.
Find set times for physical activity that suit your lifestyle – whether that’s daily walks, visits to the gym or yoga sessions at home.
It helps to make exercise a habit so that it becomes a pleasure rather than a chore.
Even small changes can make a big difference: Take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk short distances instead of using the car.

In addition to regular exercise, home exercises are also important.
Our physiotherapists will show you exercises that you can easily do at home.
Even if it is sometimes difficult and takes a lot of effort: do these exercises regularly.
To keep yourself motivated, you could, for example, keep an exercise diary in which you record your progress.
This can help you to keep an overview.

In addition, supplementary therapy measures such as nutritional advice or relaxation techniques can support your progress.
Our NUHR nutrition experts can give you detailed advice on how to eat a balanced diet to enhance the results of your exercise therapy.
Relaxation techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises also help to reduce stress and improve your well-being.

It is also important that you attend regular follow-up appointments so that we can check your treatment progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
It is also a good opportunity to celebrate your successes and stay motivated.

Make an appointment at the NUHR Medical Center today and discover the positive changes you can achieve through your individual therapy.
Our experienced team is at your side to help you achieve your health goals.
We look forward to accompanying you on your journey!