Gym Based or Hospital Based Rehabilitation: Which Should You Choose?

Gym Based or Hospital Based Rehabilitation: Which Should You Choose?

Have you experienced an injury and are wondering whether to choose hospital or gym-based rehabilitation to help you recover? We answer your questions, here…

 

If you’re asking yourself whether you should choose a gym-based rehabilitation plan, or a hospital based one, you have likely experienced an injury that has left you requiring some recovery. The question is, where do you start, and what is best for you?

 

Firstly, it’s important to remember that some rehabilitation plans could come with a cost. Making a claim if the injury wasn’t your fault is an option to subsidise these costs, but don’t forget that there is a time limit for making a medical negligence claim. Be sure to seek this help before paying through the nose for any rehabilitation.

 

 

Once this is all sorted, you’ll be wanting to know what the best rehab options are for you. This article will discuss the benefits of both plans to help you decide the best route to recovery.

 

Why Might You Need Rehabilitation?

 

You may find yourself needing rehabilitation for several reasons. You may have suffered a medical injury or event that has left you needing to retrain muscles back to normal function.

 

The most common reasons for needing rehabilitation could include having had a stroke, a spinal injury, an injury at work, home or out about, a heart attack, an illness including mental illness, or having been in hospital for a long time and needing to regain better movement.

 

If you’ve suffered an injury at work or in a public space, it is likely you can make a claim. It’s important that you know your rights, so be sure to get in touch with a solicitor to understand where compensation may be sought.

 

Types of Rehabilitation

Depending on what has happened to you, you will need one of the three types of rehabilitation:

 

Physiotherapy

 

This specifically deals with movement dysfunction, typically caused by damage to muscle tissue through an accident. Physical therapists promote, maintain and restore health through a variety of examinations that also help with disease prevention, patient education and health promotion.

 

Occupational Therapy

 

The practices of returning injured workers back to a level where they can return to work, making sure they have cognitive and physical capacity to do their job without causing further injury to themselves or others.

 

Speech Therapy

 

A speech therapist would help patients regain movement of the mouth and lips, and is typically used for patients who have difficulty communicating, chewing/eating, and swallowing.

 

It’s worth noting that speech therapy and occupational therapy cannot be carried out solely with a gym-based plan. However, improving general fitness and muscle growth through a gym could speed up your recovery if used as a combo plan with hospital rehabilitation.

 

 

What is ‘Gym Based Rehabilitation’

 

Gym-based rehabilitation doesn’t mean you have to get a gym and become a body builder at all. You should choose a gym-plan based route to recovery by the guidance of your physiotherapist who can give you a soft exercise plan to do either independently or within an on-base clinic with assistance.

 

Doing regular exercises can benefit the speed of which you recover from an injury. You also have access to a variety of equipment at a gym, to work different body areas and improve overall muscle strength, endurance, and aerobic fitness. Shifting extra weight will take the strain off your joints long term, and help maintain good body functions better and easier.

 

3 Benefits of Gym Based Rehabilitation

 

There are three key benefits to undertaking gym-based rehabilitation:

  • Speeds up recovery processes for any illnesses and injuries you have, independently.
  • Gym physiotherapy or gym-based rehab helps prevent re-injury, simply by improving muscle mass and building the right support to protect against future injury.
  • You’ll experience less pain during recovery, besides from normal gym soreness. Building strength gradually will reduce the pain at the site of the injury.

Please speak to a physiotherapist for advice on starting your gym-based rehabilitation, and for guidance on work out plans suited for your injury type. 

 

What is ‘Hospital Based Rehabilitation’

 

A medical rehabilitation hospital or inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) is a type of speciality treatment centre that looks to rehabilitate a person back to a normal level function after a medical event, such as a stroke. Patients receiving help at a IRF tend to receive intense and targeted therapy for three hours per day at least five days per week, but this can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Patients will receive acute care that includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy.

 

The key to looking for the right rehabilitation hospital for yourself or a loved one is to understand what services rehabilitation hospitals offer and how they compare to other treatment centres. Often you will be referred to a physiotherapist by your doctor through the NHS, or you look independently for private practices.

 

 

 

3 Benefits to Hospital Based Rehabilitation

 

There are three key benefits to undertaking hospital-based rehabilitation:

 

  • Facilitates quick and efficient recovery – there are many specialists available for acute care, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
  • Patients receive intense one-to-one help to recover from illnesses and injury with full support, either through the NHS or privately.
  • Provides social worker assistance and neuropsychological treatment (for nervous system disorders).

 

Choosing Your Rehabilitation Plan Can be Tricky…

 

As you can see, there are benefits to both rehabilitation routes. The decision might be made clear based on your injury. You should receive a lot of guidance from your doctor, but doing the additional independent research on where to receive treatment will benefit your decision making.

 

You can go private for treatment or through the NHS, but don’t forget to make the necessary claims to ensure you have the most financial help possible. The key is to do your research, and make sure you have adequate support and clear medical advice. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or look around at the best treatment centres available.

 

Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a doctor or health professional if you’re seeking advice about going through rehabilitation. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.