Strengthening - continued

If you have conditions such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, physical therapists can help teach you appropriate strengthening exercises that can increase your ability to perform daily activities with less pain and more safety.

If you have heart, lung, or neurological diseases, the appropriate strengthening exercises can increase your health and improve your quality of life. If the wrong strengthening exercises are performed, you can increase your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other health problems.

It is important to have a physical therapist teach you the appropriate strengthening exercises for you, as an individual. Physical therapists will perform a full assessment that will give them information about you and your medical condition. They can then make a strengthening program that is safe and healthy for you.