Physical therapists prescribe and dose therapeutic exercises specifically and purposefully based on patient needs. This activity is a key component of most rehab programs. Targeted exercises that are dosed correctly stimulate the release of natural endorphins to provide long lasting pain relief.
Many times injury results in pain, leading to disuse, leading to weakness, leading to stiffness, leading to pain and the cycle continues to feed forward on itself. When prescribed correctly, therapeutic exercises break this cycle and allow the body to begin the process of healing.