Contributed by Tony John, PT
A home exercise program (HEP) is an individualized set of therapeutic exercises that a patient is taught by their Physical Therapist to be completed at home, to complement and reinforce their program in the clinic.
In addition to these exercises, the HEP may also include activities to avoid to minimize the chance of reinjury, as well as the application of lower level modalities, such as heat or ice.
Why is a HEP Important?
Home exercises reinforce what you have learned during your PT visit. This will promote a more rapid progression to the next level of your rehab program.
Home exercises can help improve muscle memory. This muscle memory is helpful when new exercises are added during your rehab sessions.
Home exercises often turn out to be the beginning of a new active, healthy lifestyle!
Home exercises help prevent reinjury.
For patients with chronic or progressive conditions, home exercises are often beneficial long term to maintain strength and functional gains long after in-office PT visits have ended.
Research shows that patients who comply with a HEP are up to 5 times more likely to successfully achieve their rehab goals than those relying only on their in-office PT visits!