Range of Motion, its Effects on Independence and How NeuLife Helps to Regain Both
The ability (or inability) to move a joint is called the joint’s range of motion. It is a major factor that dictates the extent to which an individual can use the joint. In turn, the ability or inability to use a joint can have an impact upon an individual’s independence. This can occur, for example, because the limitation can affect his or her ability to attend to activities of daily living
The only real way to determine the range of motion of a joint is to measure it when the joint is at rest and again at the end of a motion. The range of motion is often measured by a physical therapist with the use of an instrument called a goniometer. This instrument measures the angle of a joint, such as a knee, and analyzes the range of motion of it during different types of physical activity1.
A joint’s range of motion is usually gauged by both active and passive motions. Physical therapists consider an active motion to be one where an individual moves the joint or the body himself or herself. A passive motion is when the physical therapist moves the joint or body without the assistance of the individual. In both cases, the amount of movement and the amount of pain are monitored because both are material to the evaluation of the individual’s range of motion.
It is important to rehabilitate an individual’s range of motion as quickly and as fully as possible consistent with his or her physical abilities for yet another reason. The longer that muscles connected to and foster joint movement are immobile, the stiffer the joint becomes. In turn, if the joints, and hence the muscles, are not moved either actively or passively, they quickly begin to atrophy. The atrophied muscles become hard and rigid, shorten, and the potential for effective joint range of motion rehabilitation is reduced.
Regardless of the catastrophic injury or trauma that caused the diminishment of the range of motion of one or more joints, acute care must be immediately obtained. Once there has been medical stabilization, the innovative post-acute rehabilitation furnished by NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida is vital. NeuLife Rehab provides the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceed the expectations of all persons served.
When an individual becomes a Client of NeuLife Rehab, he or she undergoes an independent functional evaluation by a multidisciplinary team that may include:
- Board Certified Neurologist
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Board Certified Physiatrist
- Neuropsychologist
- Psychologist
- Board Certified Psychiatrist
- Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Nurses
- Certified Rehab Counselor
The results of the independent functional evaluation form the basis of a Client Goal Plan for each Client. The Client Goal Plan is implemented by NeuLife Rehab’s multidisciplinary team of professionals. The goal is the attainment of independence for each of our Clients to the fullest extent of his or her physical and mental abilities.
While each member of NeuLife Rehab’s multidisciplinary team is actively involved in the rehabilitation of our Clients, physical therapists have a particular role when range of motion rehabilitation is required. Physical therapists are experts in improving mobility and motion and thereby, fostering the physical aspect of our Client’s independence. Physical therapy can also help to avoid, or to reduce, the need for prescription drugs for numerous conditions2.
NeuLife Rehab consistently provides the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceeds the expectations of all persons served. Our philosophy of that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best accomplished in an uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourage, assist and support each Client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife Rehab believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to increase function and independence.
Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” — the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.
NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best achieved in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourages, assists and supports each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to achieve function and independence.
NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Amputations, Burns and other Catastrophic Injuries and Challenging Diagnoses.
