Standing Propriosensory Exercise Progression
/If you have been with us for any length of time, you know how we feel about proprioception. Here are a few samples from some of our posts on this subject.
Here is an exercise progression we like to use, and we use it often. You are free to use it in your clinic, but please do not “rip it off” or print this copyrighted material without our permission.
Enjoy,
Ivo and Shawn
Standing Propriosensory Exercises
©1997 Ivo F. Waerlop DC, DABCN
patient positioning: patient stands in a door way with arms outstretched near door jam (for support if needed).
progression of exercise: when the patient can perform exercise pain free and with appropriate proficiency for 60 seconds, the next exercise is introduced. That exercise receives periodic review by the examiner, and is discontinued in a supervised setting. The patient may continue that exercise at home for 1-3 minutes, 3 times per day.
duration of exercise: each exercise is performed one time for up to 60 seconds or to patient pain threshold, whichever comes first. As the patient improves, time and may be increased up to 3 minutes.
frequency of exercise: exercises are performed daily under supervision until the patient demonstrates proficiency in that exercise. The patient then continues that exercise at home for at least 1 minute, at least 3 times per day.
standing with eyes open: the patient stands in the door way with both feet together, eyes open, and arms outstretched. The patient should feel stable and confident before progressing.
standing with eyes closed: the patient stands in the door way with both feet together, eyes closed, and arms outstretched.
exercise #1 is repeated while standing on one leg: the non weight bearing leg and thigh are brought to 90E flexion.
exercise #2 is repeated while standing on one leg: the non weight bearing leg and thigh are brought to 90E flexion.
one legged dips/ eyes open: The patient assumes a one legged standing posture (as previously described with arms outstretched for stability if needed). The patient then lowers their torso as low as possible without losing their balance.
exercise #5 is repeated with the eyes closed
the entire sequence is repeated with the head extended 60 degrees
