Figure 5-1. Types of body movement.
c. Range-of-motion exercises should be done at least twice a day. During the
bath is one appropriate time. The warm bath water relaxes the muscles and decreases
spasticity of the joints. Also, during the bath, areas are exposed so that the joints can
be both moved and observed. Another appropriate time might be before bedtime. The
joints of helpless or immobile patients should be exercised once every eight hours to
prevent contracture from occurring.
d. Joints are exercised sequentially, starting with the neck and moving down.
Put each joint needing exercise through the range of motion procedure a minimum of
three times, and preferably five times. Avoid overexerting the patient; do not continue
the exercises to the point that the patient develops fatigue. Some exercises may need
to be delayed until the patient's condition improves.
MD0905
5-7