2023-10-27 18:30:00
MIAMI.- Movement is a vital part of human development. While we learn to crawl, walk and run, the brain develops more complex intellectual abilities that involve attention, fine and gross motor skills, among other aspects.
When a person for any reason remains in bed with some or no possibility of movement, they require constant physical therapy to prevent the body from becoming rigid, losing muscle elasticity or otherwise, wounds that are difficult to heal appear.
Caring for a person who is bedridden represents a challenge, not only for the family members or caregivers who accompany them, but also for the professionals who provide support to prevent the body from adopting inappropriate postures or any wound becoming complicated.
Before starting any routine it is important to consult with a specialist.
Exercises for patients in bed
There are two types of movements. The active and passive with which we seek to reduce rigidity and stop the hardening of the joints as a result of aging and poor mobility.
The active ones are those movements that the patient can perform independently and the passive ones are those that require them to be carried out with the partial or total help of the therapist or monitor.
Capacity diagnosis
When the bedridden patient is not in danger and can develop any movement, one must know what type of movements they can do on their own. Patients with strokes, or those who for some reason lost mobility in the lower part of the body, or patients with Alzheimer’s will be able to perform certain exercises that will help with their welfare general. But the daily routine must be created like a tailored suit, since it will depend on the previous diagnosis for establishing objectives.
The caregiver or therapist must note which are the motor potentialities and which are the most compromised areas of movement. That is, if a patient moves his arms and neck, but does not move his legs, differentiated goals must be established that establish what to do with each body extremity.
It is important that both caregivers and family members ensure that the patient does exercises every day so that the result is effective and lasting over time.
Physical Therapy.png
Specialist starts physical therapy exercise by moving patient’s head.
Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
How to take advantage of and use clinical beds
Clinical beds generally, at least in the US, come with inflatable anti-decubitus mattresses that prevent the formation of ulcers. These beds raise the patient’s back to sit up and also the legs to find balance.
It is very important for the caregiver to determine the point where the bed bends at the top, to locate where to place the patient. That is, the tailbone (lower back) should be above the point where the bed is folded so that when lifting it up it maintains an upright posture. If the patient cannot remain upright, pillows can be used to keep him in a proper position.
Once the person is sitting correctly, begin your exercise routine taking advantage of the inclines of the bed. A series of exercises can use the bed at 90 degrees, that is, with the back completely straight; while another can be made with the bed slightly inclined. Thus the set of muscles involved in each exercise varies.
It is important that you write down the exercises performed, to verify that each joint in the body moves.
Once the exercises that the patient can do are completed, passive exercises should begin, where the caregiver does the work.
Keep in mind that movements should always be done slowly and carefully to avoid mistreating the patient. If there is any sudden pain, stop exercising and consult a doctor.
physical therapy on the hands. jpg
Specialist helps patient in bed to perform hand exercises.
PIXABAY
Love and understanding for bedridden patients
For people without technical knowledge who care for bedridden patients, it is important to keep in mind that to turn the person from one side to the other they have to do so taking into account main points such as legs, hips and chest; This will prevent any bone or muscle from suffering an injury.
Before starting a routine, the patient must know it, know who is touching him, know why it is good for him to do the exercises. If the patient does not speak, a conversation should still be established explaining what is happening. Breathe with him or her. Make the person feel confident in what you are doing. It is preferable to take time for contact and approach calmly, rather than provoke an adverse reaction.
In short, what a patient in bed needs is love and time from those who care for him.
Short exercise routine
When beginning your exercise routine, start at one of the extremes. Many specialists prefer to start from the head.
Neck exercises:
With your hands indicate that you are going to make him turn his head to one side and then to the other. Try to get him to do it alone, but help him slowly. Help him tilt his head back and forth. Instruct him to have his ear touch his shoulder. Speak to him with a soft tone and sweet expression.
Exercises for upper neck
Raise the patient’s arm forward and then up over his head and down. You can do this exercise with the person sitting or with the person lying down. Place something close and elevated and invite him to grab it. This will stimulate your muscular and intellectual part. Place the person’s arm at their side with the palm facing up. Bend and straighten your arm.
physical therapy. jpg
Specialist helps patient in bed to perform leg exercises.
Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
Arm and wrist exercises
Bend the person’s hand toward your shoulder. The fingers should point towards the ceiling. Gently rotate the person’s hand in circles in one direction. Help him turn his hand toward the ceiling and then turn his palm down. Bend your fingers into a fist. Straighten your fingers once more, then bend and straighten each finger. Separate your thumb and index finger and then bring them back together. Finger Rotations: Roll each finger in a circle in one direction.
physical therapy Y.jpg
Specialist helps patient in bed to perform foot exercises.
PIXABAY andreas160578
Exercises for hip and knee
Slowly bend the person’s knee as close to their chest as possible. Then gently straighten your leg. Move one leg to the side, away from the other leg. Turn one of the person’s legs toward the other leg and then turn the leg toward the other side. Slowly ankle flexions. On one side and on the other. Rotate your ankle and foot slightly. Offer a gentle massage to your fingers. Add cream if necessary and stretch slowly. Then move lightly in circles.
General considerations
Always remember that the duration of the exercise is indicated by the patient. Increase the exercise time according to how the patient receives each activity. Don’t force him to do something he doesn’t want to do. Don’t cause pain. Talk to him, greet him as if you were with a friend. Tell him wonderful things so that his thoughts do not focus on the activity. This way you will be able to perform more exercises in harmony. But if one day the bedridden person does not want to exercise, respect their decision and return another time.
Movements should be slow, always taking care of your joints. If, when performing an exercise, the patient makes a bad movement, help him or her to straighten his or her posture or correct it.
Physical therapy is essential to advance and seek the well-being of patients who are bedridden; but if this is combined with love, the achievements will be more successful. Do not forget that the person you are caring for (whether a family member or an unknown patient) is a person who, even if they do not tell you, understands and perceives good treatment.
clinical bed.jpg
Clinical beds are of great help for bedridden patients.
Parentingupstream /PIXABAY
NULL
1698448952
#exercise #patient #bed
