Therapeutic exercise is a bodily movement prescribed to correct impairment, improve musculoskeletal function, or maintain a state of well-being.  It may vary from highly selected activities restricted to specific muscles or parts of the body, to general and vigorous activities that can return a convalescing patient to the peak of physical condition.  Therapeutic exercise seeks to accomplish the following goals:

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• Enable ambulation

• Release contracted muscles, tendons, and fascia

• Mobilize joints

• Improve circulation

• Improve respiratory capacity

• Improve coordination

• Reduce tone

• Improve balance

• Promote relaxation

• Improve muscle strength

• Improve exercise performance and endurance

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Therapeutic exercise can be further broken down into three types:

1. Endurance training

2. Resistance training

3. Flexibility training