Dynamic Rehab exercises are split into 3 phases
The DRR Program's three phases of rehab is a graduating hierarchy of exercises. It begins with Phase 1, the most basic level, and escalates to Phase 3, the most difficult. These phases will keep patients sufficiently motivated, focused, and challenged to obtain their rehab goals. Further, insurance companies will recognize the legitimacy of this program for patient improvement and overal physical well-being because it is so well-structured.

Phase 1: Proprioception

Phase 1 focuses on the recruitment of the proper proprioceptive signals from the injury to the CNS by using instability exercises with little to no weight added.

Phase 1 exercises are the safest way to heal the injury without causing further damage. Using a patient’s own body weight, light weight, or tension for Phase 1 exercises is usually enough in the first couple of weeks of rehab. Adding too much weight or tension can be risky and may further inflame the problem area.

Phase 2: Strengthening

In Phase 2, the proprioceptive signals from the injured area to the CNS have become clearer and more efficient. Phase 2 exercises thus begin to increase the weight and tension to almost all of the proprioceptive exercises. This further strengthens the muscles surrounding the injury.

Phase 2 instability exercises are more challenging to the injured area and the entire nervous system than those in Phase 1. This additional challenge ensures that the firing of the nerve signals from the injury to the CNS will continue to become stronger and more efficient. Accelerated healing is the result.

Phase 3: Functional Training

Sometimes the reason a patient was injured initially is because they were moving improperly. The following are common examples:

• a patient picked up a box using his back instead of his knees and pulled his back out,
• a patient reached to pick up her keys from the floor and injured her neck as she stooped in a hurry, or
• a patient used too much of his shoulder as he moved to grab something heavy off of a high shelf and incurred an injury as a result.

In the third and final phase, using weights and instability equipment, we create many proprioceptive exercises that will mimic multiple real-life situational movements. This phase ensures that the patient will learn to move correctly and not re-injure him- or herself through an incorrect movement pattern when returning to normal activities.

Phase 3 seeks to make the patient aware of how his or her movements can safeguard against further injuries.