Libby Public Schools - Series: Range of Motion

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Disclosure:
The information provided in this blog is informational The content may be used to augment current therapy plans, however is in no way a substitute for active intervention and or consultation from a Physical Therapist.

Dear Parent/Reader,

This Blog series is being presented to you, to support you and your child during the Covid 19 school closure. I will be posting a variety of short informational blogs to supplement the first informational package the students at the Libby Public Schools in Montana received.

If you have any general questions please use the comments section, if they are personal in nature please contact me directly through the school email or text/call 406 283 1003.

I can only imagine how much extra work and stress parents are dealing with today. You may have multiple children at home, each with their own needs and challenges. You may struggle getting all the school work completed with your child.. Your own schedule may have been altered, you may work from home or not working at all. 
Although I would like you to work with your child towards their physical therapy goals, I understand the challenges you may face. If anything, spend quality time with your child, just play with your child. 

Today I am talking to you about Range of Motion in reference to your child’s functional mobility.

Range of Motion is the amount of mobility individual joints in the body have. The combined range of motion of several joints in a sequence i.e. an arm, leg and spine creates a certain amount of movement that the body allows. These patterns of movement can then be used to perform activities of daily living (ADL’s). 
The range of motion in our joints comes from a variety of structures; the joints, ligaments and muscles. When the joints don’t get used through their full range, joints and or muscles may develop contractures. 

How to maintain your range of motion?
- Active day to day activities - participating as independent as possible with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, walking, and playing
- Active Range of Motion Exercises - preferable  to be done daily or through multiple shorter session throughout the day. Exercises that move through the full range of motion and focus on stretching the muscles around the joint holding the stretch anywhere from 10 to 60 seconds depending on the tolerance.
-  Passive Range of Motion/stretching - Requires assistance from another person.
Gentle, slow movement through the full range allowed with a stretch at the end of range 10 to 60 seconds. Support each joint above and below the joint. The child can feel a stretch but is should not hurt

Who should perform range of motion exercises?
Mobility exercises are good for any one. However those children who have challenges with their mobility, due to conditions including but not limited to Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, and Scoliosis should do some type of range of motion and stretching exercises to prevent contractures and subsequent loss of function.

In the end the importance is that you can help your child to keep their body mobile through its full range, using  a variety modes of movement; active and passive throughout the day. 

For passive stretching and range of motion exercise please refer to your own child’s home program.

Helpful links








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