- Hi, I'm Bob Schrupp, physical therapist.
- Brad Heineck, physical therapist.
- And together,
we are the most famous physical therapists on the internet.
- In our opinion, of course, Bob.
- Brad, you wanted to talk today
about strengthening for a person who's in a wheelchair.
- Right.
- Using theraband.
- Right.
- Or stretch band.
- These people typically are unable to walk
or just very short distance,
but we still need to get them exercise.
And in the wheelchair's,
oftentimes a very convenient place to do it.
And it works well for these particular exercises.
For this, you're gonna need a theraband.
- Or a stretch band.
Yep.
Now, you can usually get these at the therapy department,
because this is oftentimes gonna happen in a nursing home.
- Right.
- But it doesn't need to be.
The first thing we're gonna do is
we're gonna start from the feet
and work up to the hips.
Okay?
One foot at a time.
Can you move that foot over a little bit, Bob
- Oh, sure.
Just lay it, just like that.
Put one foot there.
The other foot here.
- How about I put my foot there so you can see?
- Yep.
And you get a little tension on the theraband, not much.
And simply start tapping your toe.
Now, if the person's not strong enough to do this
with resistance, simply do it without,
but once they get stronger, you're gonna do that.
You're gonna do 10 times.
Okay, relax, Bob.
How you doing?
- That starts to burn.
- Yeah. Where do you feel that Bob?
- Right up in here.
Yeah. It's working that muscle.
- Really important for walking
or when you scoot with your chair.
So, your toe doesn't drag.
- Right.
- Let's do another 10 Bob.
One, two and you know, count out with them.
Go up to 10.
Let's go to the next exercise.
We're gonna skip through that.
We're gonna go to the hamstrings.
Wrap this gently around their ankle.
You know, spread the theraband out
so it's not one tight,
not like this,
cause that could dig into their...
- All bunched up.
- Yeah. That could dig into their skin
and cause a problem.
So, you're gonna be careful
and attentive to that.
And have them bring their leg out like Bob.
Can you pull that foot underneath the wheelchair?
One.
And it doesn't matter
if the foot drags on the floor a little bit.
Two. Where we on?
Eight.
Nine.
Can you do with your foot not touching?
If they can do with their foot not touching, go ahead.
Now this theraband
will have a tendency to ball up like that.
If that's the case,
you may want to take a towel or a rag.
- Sure.
- And wrap it around there so that doesn't limit it.
Or if they have socks on, you know, it might be enough.
- Sure.
- You just have to look at the integrity of their skin.
Next one,
we're going to do
is the old clam shell or the hip abduction.
Okay?
Just have them bring their knees together.
- So, I'm gonna put my heels together.
- Yep.
- I actually need to sit out for a little bit further there.
- Right.
Bring your knees together, Bob.
You're jumping the gun.
- Oh.
- I like to have the knees together.
And instead of tying a knot in it.
I just like to give about two twists,
hold it like this.
And that provides resistance on that.
And we're gonna do again, 10 to 15 repetitions.
And like Bob's bouncing there.
See if you can have them do it slow
and nice smooth repetitions, not bouncing.
As far out as they can get.
Again, 10 to 15 reps of this.
You might wanna do two sets
depending on how tired they are
or how energetic they're feeling.
Okay?
You'll say we finished with that.
And feet together again, Bob.
And the last one,
actually, you can keep the theraband.
- In the same position.
- In the same position and simply do marching.
Alternate leg, I like best,
but you can do one leg at a time.
This one may not work.
If it doesn't work,
because they're wearing a skirt or a dress,
obviously you don't do it.
You should have pants on.
It works great if someone has jeans on, especially,
or some material like that.
And the same repetition, 10 to 15.
- That's a hard one.
- Yeah, it's harder than it looks.
- Yeah.
- All these are harder than they look.
- Yep.
- All right.
So that works well.
You should be done with one person
in probably about five to eight minutes.
- It works fast, Ben.
Very versatile.
- You better believe it.
- For strengthening, so.
- So, keep strong and be healthy.