What are active range of motion exercises?
Range of motion exercises are also called “ROM” exercises. ROM exercises help keep your muscles and joints as healthy as possible. ROM exercises may be active or passive. Active ROM exercises are done by a person who can do the exercises all by himself. Active-assisted ROM exercises are done by the person and a helper. Passive ROM exercises are done for a person by a helper. The helper does the ROM exercises because a person cannot do them by himself. Do not do active ROM exercises without first talking to your caregiver. Together you can decide what exercise plan is best for you. Why is it important to do active ROM exercises? • ROM exercises are very important if you have been ill, injured, or must stay in bed or in a wheelchair. Active ROM exercises help build up or keep your muscles as strong as possible. They help keep your joints flexible (bending and moving in the right way). Doing ROM exercises will help keep good blood flow going to the joint area that is being exercised. They
