6 Essential Skills Every Post Rehab Professional Must Master

I am often asked by post rehab professionals (PRP) what should they know to get started in post rehab fitness. In most cases they are referring to marketing techniques and materials. Yes, marketing is important but of greater importance is the need to possess the essential skills to work with a wide range of post rehab clients. There are 6 essential skills each post rehab professional must possess. Every post rehab professional must be competent with each of the skills to develop safe and effective programs for their post rehab clients. The six essential post rehab skills are listed below.

1. Take a thorough medical history. A thorough history is vitally important. Go thru each question on the medical history form. Obtaining an accurate medical history and understanding the key facts obtained from the interview will assist with the development of the post rehab program.

2. Take blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer (manual cuff). Take the client’s BP using a manual cuff the first three sessions. The use of the manual cuff allows you to accurately measure the blood pressure. You may use an electronic BP cuff after the first three sessions. Every PRP must be able to assess blood pressure manual. This is an ABSOLUTE must for every PRP.

3. Assess the strength and ROM for each joint and the surrounding muscles. It’s not necessary to have skills with a goniometry but minimally the PRP must have the ability to visually judge joint limitations by asking the client to move the uninjured and injured joint thru a ROM and compare the two is essential. In addition, you must be able to assess strength levels in the major muscles surrounding the join.

4. Assess function using a functional scale. Post rehab is really about improving the “residual functional deficits” remaining after the client’s discharge from physical therapy and/or chiropractic care. Assessing function is more important than assessing joint ROM and strength. Measuring the improvement in function and not just gains in strength or ROM is the key in post rehab. The PRP must select the appropriate functional scale to best measure their client’s functional improvement.

5. Determine the appropriate post rehab protocol to follow when developing the exercise program. Selecting the appropriate protocol whether the client has one or multiple conditions is important. Understanding the post rehab hierarchy and the ability to combine protocols is essential with the complicated post rehab client.

6. Communicate effectively with medical professionals. The PRP must be able to effectively communicate with medical professionals via phone, through written reports and assessment summaries. To truly become part of the rehab spectrum the PRP must convey the improvement or regression of the client to the referral source. Communicating with insurance carriers is also becoming a necessary skill for post rehab professionals.

We have established the first “Post Rehab Skills Checklist”. This checklist will allow PRP’s to measure their skill level and determine the areas in which more training is needed. Please go to www.postrehabskills.com to download your copy of the Post Rehab Skills Checklist.

Listen to our latest podcast posting by following the link below.

6 Essentials Skills Podcast

Best in Fitness,

Dr Mike

5 Mistakes Post Rehab Professionals Make When Building a Post Rehab Practice

Its time for a new look and new goals. What better goal then to build a profitable post rehab practice. If your post rehab practice isn't profitable, this blog entry will help you identify the common mistakes post rehab professionals make when attempting to develop a profitable post rehab practice. There is a huge need for post rehab services. Every post rehab professional should be able to develop a profitable practice. Look for these mistakes you I guarantee you will have better success in 2008.


1) Allowing the health club to be the sole provider of post rehab referrals. If you work in a health club setting the worst thing you can do is allow the health club to be your sole source of post rehab referrals. You must establish your own referral sources and communicate directly with these sources. Medical professionals want to know everyone working with their patients.

2) Not developing your own marketing materials. You must have three basic marketing materials – a business card, letterhead and a brochure. Clients want to review information later when they are making the decision whether to utilize your services. With nothing to review, it’s pretty easy to see why the client might pick another trainer or facility. Without a business card, letterhead or brochure, DO NOT attempt to contact a medical professional. Would you do seek treatment from a physician or therapist without a business card? Yes, thas right….you would think something is terribly wrong. Need I say more on this topic? Your local Kinkos has graphic artists and printing services to help you develop your marketing materials.

3) Not sending an introductory letter to the client's physician. Send a brief introductory letter to every new client’s physician. Your client will provide the physician’s name in the paperwork they complete when they join the fitness facility. Send a brief note stating the client has started an exercise program. Mention the goals of the program and give a quick description of the program. This letter will lay the foundation for future communications and eventually referrals.

4) Not sending progress reports to the referral source. If you receive a referral from a medical professional have the courtesy to send a brief (one-page) progress report to the referral source when the client’s returns for a follow-up visit. Not sending the progress report is a sign of lack of professionalism. I guarantee you will lose the referral source simply because you did not send a one-page progress report.

5) Thinking or feeling I am only a personal trainer. If you have ever felt like this, you are terribly wrong! Exercise is the key to long-term management of most medical conditions. I made that quote during a lecture at one of our Medical Exercise Specialist workshops and it is so TRUE. As a post rehab professional, you may play a major role in the outcome of your client’s rehabilitation. You are not just a trainer – you make a huge contribution. Never feel this way when contacting the client’s physician, physical therapist or chiropractor.

Many of the post rehab professionals I have met around the world have made these mistakes. Any of these five mistakes can kill your post rehab practice. These mistakes are easily corrected but you must recognize them first. Listen to my podcast at www.PostRehabToday.com on the remedies to the five common post rehab practice-building mistakes.

Attend our teleseminar - "Establishing a Profitable Post Rehab Program" on January 4th, 2008 at 5pm Eastern. Learn the 5 keys to making your post rehab practice more profitable. Click on the link below for more information on this teleseminar. Best wishes for a profitable 2008!!

"5 Keys to Establishing a Profitable Post Rehab Practice"