How Do You Assist Clients in Overcoming Significant Physical Barriers?
Ever wondered how tailored training can help overcome significant physical barriers? In this insightful Q&A, a Director & Physiotherapist at The Alignment Studio and a Personal Trainer share their expertise. Discover how four client overcame shoulder surgery limitations and another found creative solutions for lower back problems, among a total of four expert insights. These real-life examples will inspire and inform anyone seeking to understand the transformative power of personalized fitness training.
- Client Overcomes Shoulder Surgery Limitations
- Chair Yoga Eases Arthritis Pain
- Tailored Knee Exercises Boost Confidence
- Creative Solutions for Lower Back Problems
Client Overcomes Shoulder Surgery Limitations
One of the most rewarding cases I worked on involved a client in his late 50s who came to us after shoulder surgery. His injury had led to severe range of motion limitations and chronic pain, impacting his day to day life and ability to stay active. Given my background in both musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy, I was able to devise a highly individualized recovery plan that would build strength and mobility without straining the repaired tissues. We combined physiotherapy with modified Pilates exercises that focused on gradual range of motion improvements, stability, and muscle activation around the shoulder and scapular region. Over time, we introduced incremental strength training specifically tailored to his body's progress, avoiding exercises that could trigger pain or reinjury. My experience working with athletes also informed the plan, as I knew how to apply similar principles to support resilience and encourage steady, sustainable gains.
The key was constant assessment and modification. Every session, we reviewed his response to the previous exercises and adjusted as necessary, sometimes with as small a change as reducing the weight or altering the angle of an exercise. This approach not only allowed him to recover but also built his confidence in moving without fear of pain or damage. After several months, his shoulder function improved dramatically as he returned to his fitness routine pain-free and more aware of safe movement patterns to prevent future issues.
Chair Yoga Eases Arthritis Pain
One of my clients, Ari, struggled to go about since she had arthritis in her knees, which made everyday tasks difficult. She may get more flexible and powerful without stressing her knees too much by learning chair yoga. We started with her seated down doing forward bends and mild spinal twists. We worked on deep, deliberate breathing to help her muscles unwind and feel less strained. I also handed her resistance bands for use in leg workouts. These over time improved her range of motion and provided her the courage to walk around more freely.
Later on, we moved her workout location to a pool so the water could support her weight and ease her knees. She strengthened her core and leg muscles using foam bars in light resistance workouts without overloading them. She walked laps in the shallow end during sessions to strengthen her legs and boost her energy. My client informed me she hadn't been able to climb stairs in years, but after a few months she could once more do so without constant discomfort.
When Ari concentrated on strategies fit for her, she not only made actual progress but also felt as though she once again had control over her life. Seeing her walk with less suffering and more confidence helped both of us greatly. It warms hy heart seeing her overall health improved!
Tailored Knee Exercises Boost Confidence
I once worked with a client who had a history of knee injuries and was hesitant about engaging in any lower-body strength training. They wanted to improve their overall fitness and mobility but feared reinjury.
We started with a detailed assessment to understand their limitations and focused on building strength around the knee joint with low-impact exercises. Tailored modifications included:
* Seated leg extensions with resistance bands to strengthen the quadriceps without putting stress on the knee.
* Glute bridges to activate the posterior chain and improve stability.
* Step-ups on a low box with controlled movements, gradually increasing the height as their confidence and strength grew.
We also integrated mobility work and targeted stretching to improve joint range of motion. Over time, the client progressed to more dynamic movements like bodyweight squats and even light-weighted lunges.
The key was consistent feedback, celebrating small wins, and gradually increasing the challenge. Eventually, they reported less knee discomfort, greater confidence in movement, and a renewed love for physical activity.
Creative Solutions for Lower Back Problems
I remember training a lady with lower back problems that had significantly restricted her exercise capabilities for years. We did not have an exact diagnosis of the issue, but I wasn't particularly concern by this. I was more concerned about discovering what she could and couldn't do so that I could develop a creative solution to her training. We soon discovered the types of exercise and movement patterns that generated discomfort, and not all of them were what you'd expect. Then it was about avoiding these without neglecting an area of the body or fitness quality. The client found the experience very empowering because her mindset shifted from being preoccupied with what she couldn't do, to focussing on what she could do. As her fitness improved, she was able to start incorporating exercises that had previously caused discomfort.
