HEP

Home Exercise Program (HEP) Compliance and Common Questions

Contributed by Tony John, PT

How do we assist patients with compliance to their HEP?

Research has shown that only 35% of patients are compliant with their HEP. Here at Repsher & Associates Physical Therapy, we strive for 100% compliance. We understand that our patients have work, school, and/or family commitments. We are also aware that many of our patients may have never participated in structured exercise before. Due to this, we strive to make our HEPs practical, concise, and realistic.

We not only want to help you, but also help you help yourself! Here are just a few steps we take to assist patients with compliance to their HEP:

  • We educate our patients on the importance of their HEP and how it can impact their goals.

  • We design our HEPs to take no more than 20 minutes to complete.

  • HEPs are customized to the specific patient, not just to the specific diagnosis.

  • HEPs are updated frequently, depending on patient progress.

Common questions from patients regarding their HEP:

Q: “Should I stop exercising if it hurts?”

A: It is normal for new exercises to cause some discomfort. It takes time and practice for your body to get used to it. If your pain significantly increases during or after your exercises, stop the exercises until consulting with your PT.

Q: “Do I have to do exercises at home in addition to attending PT sessions?”

A: Considering there are 168 hours in a week, spending 1-3 hours per week in PT is simply not enough time to consistently correct a deficit that may have taken months or even years to develop. Still speak to your physical therapist to see if your program can be adjusted to accommodate your commitments.

Q: “How do I know if I’m doing my exercises correctly at home?”

A: At Repsher & Associates Physical Therapy, we have the capability of sending our patients videos of their individual exercises to educate and reinforce proper form. In addition, we are always delighted to review home exercises with patients during their office visits.

If you have questions about your HEP, we are happy to help! Ask your PT at your next appointment or give us a call at 518-489-2524!

What is a Home Exercise Program (HEP) and Why is it Important?

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!