What is exercise therapy done with?

A physiotherapist selects exercises for your symptoms, movement limits, strength, balance, and daily goals. The session may use body weight, resistance bands, weights, steps, a wall, or a treatment mat. Mobility work can guide a stiff joint through a controlled range, while strengthening exercises challenge a muscle gradually. Balance and coordination tasks may be added when walking or changing direction is difficult. EMG biofeedback uses sensors to display muscle activity, helping you recognise whether a target muscle is switching on or relaxing as intended. The equipment is optional and does not replace the exercise plan.

Use the technique, pace, and repetitions taught by your physiotherapist rather than copying a routine that was designed for someone else. Mild effort or muscle fatigue can be expected, but sharp pain, rapidly increasing swelling, or symptoms that remain worse after exercise need review. Keep track of which movements improve or aggravate your symptoms. Progression may involve changing resistance, range, balance demands, or everyday tasks once your current level is controlled.

Stop an exercise and contact your clinician if it causes new weakness, loss of sensation, severe pain, or marked swelling. Seek urgent care for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, or a new inability to use a limb. A sudden change in walking, speech, or facial movement also requires emergency assessment.

Which movements match my specific problem? What should I feel during and after each exercise? When should the programme become harder? Would EMG biofeedback add useful information for my muscle control?