How to Perform Passive Range of Motion
Schedule passive ROM exercises once per day., Choose a bed or soft table in which your patient can lay., Ask the patient to relax and take several deep breaths., Ensure that the patient tells you if they are feeling increased pain during the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Schedule passive ROM exercises once per day.
This is the recommended amount to prevent severely tightened joints and muscles.
A doctor may request that you do them at a greater frequency. -
Step 2: Choose a bed or soft table in which your patient can lay.
The best platforms are beds that can be adjusted so that the helper doesn’t need to lean over and strain the back while working with the patient’s joints.
If you must use a low bed for a passive range of motion routine, grab a chair and get it as close to the bed as possible to reduce strain.
Lock the bed or table so that it can’t move while you are performing the exercises. , You will be performing the movements, so they should not have any strain or feel out of breath. , You should stop the exercise and lay the patient’s body in a relaxed position until the pain subsides.
Skip the painful exercise and move onto the next one if the patient is able. , Some physical therapists suggest doing the exercises in the bath if possible, since it can improve the flexibility of the joints and relax the patient. , Usually this means placing a hand beneath each of the joints on a limb., It is more important that you move slowly and extend the joint through its full range of motion than it is to hold the stretch for a long period of time., It is important to exercise both sides equally. , Turn the person’s head gently from side to side while supporting the neck with one hand. , Move as if the ear is attempting to touch the shoulder. , Return it to a comfortable position. , Support the elbow with one hand and hold the wrist with the other.
Raise the arm forward and over the head, then bring it back down. , Raise the shoulder out to the side as far as it will go.
Bring it back down. , Bend the elbow and then straighten the arm. , Hold the fingers with the other end and bend the wrist back and forth to its fullest motion. , Roll the wrist in one direction and then the other. , Curl the fingers into a fist and then straighten them again.
Repeat with each finger, one at a time. , Roll the fingers in each direction.
Touch each fingertip to the thumb. ,, Hold onto the ankle with the other hand.
Bend the knee up to the patient’s chest and then straighten it completely. , Bring it forward to cross over the other leg slightly. , Then, roll it out, with the toes pointing outward. , Support the person’s ankle with one hand and their foot or toes with the other.
Flex the person’s foot and then point the toes. , Repeat in the opposite direction. , Then, point it outward. , Straighten each toe. , Then, bring the toes to rest normally., -
Step 3: Ask the patient to relax and take several deep breaths.
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Step 4: Ensure that the patient tells you if they are feeling increased pain during the exercises.
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Step 5: Dress the patient in flexible clothing.
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Step 6: Support the person’s limb or body part with one hand while you move it with the other.
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Step 7: Move very slowly through each exercise.
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Step 8: Repeat the exercise on the opposite side.
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Step 9: Start with neck exercises.
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Step 10: Support the neck with one arm and forearm while you slowly tilt the head to one side.
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Step 11: Bow the patient’s head toward their chest.
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Step 12: Move the shoulder up and down.
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Step 13: Transition to a side movement.
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Step 14: Turn the wrist so that the palm is facing up.
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Step 15: Rest the elbow on the bed and support the wrist with one hand.
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Step 16: Rotate the wrist by rocking the hand back and forth from side to side in a waving motion.
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Step 17: Hold the person’s hand in your hands.
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Step 18: Spread the fingers as wide as you can.
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Step 19: Repeat these shoulder
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Step 20: wrist and finger exercises on the opposite side.
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Step 21: Support the back of the knee with one hand.
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Step 22: Move the straight leg out to the side.
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Step 23: Roll the patient’s leg so the toes point inward.
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Step 24: Place a rolled-up towel under the knee.
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Step 25: Roll the ankle in gentle circles one way.
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Step 26: Move the ankle so it points inward toward the opposite leg.
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Step 27: Curl the toes toward the sole of the food.
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Step 28: Spread each toe apart from the other individually.
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Step 29: Repeat with the opposite leg
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Step 30: ankle and foot.
Detailed Guide
This is the recommended amount to prevent severely tightened joints and muscles.
A doctor may request that you do them at a greater frequency.
The best platforms are beds that can be adjusted so that the helper doesn’t need to lean over and strain the back while working with the patient’s joints.
If you must use a low bed for a passive range of motion routine, grab a chair and get it as close to the bed as possible to reduce strain.
Lock the bed or table so that it can’t move while you are performing the exercises. , You will be performing the movements, so they should not have any strain or feel out of breath. , You should stop the exercise and lay the patient’s body in a relaxed position until the pain subsides.
Skip the painful exercise and move onto the next one if the patient is able. , Some physical therapists suggest doing the exercises in the bath if possible, since it can improve the flexibility of the joints and relax the patient. , Usually this means placing a hand beneath each of the joints on a limb., It is more important that you move slowly and extend the joint through its full range of motion than it is to hold the stretch for a long period of time., It is important to exercise both sides equally. , Turn the person’s head gently from side to side while supporting the neck with one hand. , Move as if the ear is attempting to touch the shoulder. , Return it to a comfortable position. , Support the elbow with one hand and hold the wrist with the other.
Raise the arm forward and over the head, then bring it back down. , Raise the shoulder out to the side as far as it will go.
Bring it back down. , Bend the elbow and then straighten the arm. , Hold the fingers with the other end and bend the wrist back and forth to its fullest motion. , Roll the wrist in one direction and then the other. , Curl the fingers into a fist and then straighten them again.
Repeat with each finger, one at a time. , Roll the fingers in each direction.
Touch each fingertip to the thumb. ,, Hold onto the ankle with the other hand.
Bend the knee up to the patient’s chest and then straighten it completely. , Bring it forward to cross over the other leg slightly. , Then, roll it out, with the toes pointing outward. , Support the person’s ankle with one hand and their foot or toes with the other.
Flex the person’s foot and then point the toes. , Repeat in the opposite direction. , Then, point it outward. , Straighten each toe. , Then, bring the toes to rest normally.,
About the Author
Joan Fisher
Creates helpful guides on cooking to inspire and educate readers.
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