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Group Therapies

Functional Gymnastics
Functional gymnastics has the goal of strengthening muscles, increasing flexibility, and improving the patient’s posture and coordination as well as stretching muscle groups that tend to become contracted. Depending on the patient’s pain-related limitations, training can occur during standing, moving about, sitting on a stool, or on the floor. Gymnastic exercises with or without apparatus or partners, in groups, as well as with rhythmic musical support are also utilised.

Cardiac Training/Ergometer Training
Cardiac training is utilised to improve endurance capacity. Endurance in basic activities is emphasised, in order that patients can better master the demands of everyday life such as climbing stairs, walking, and running. Continuous exercise is maintained with a prescribed heart rate in the aerobic range. The patient’s psychophysical well-being is also increased. Patients train in groups using stationary bicycles, elliptical trainers, or treadmills.

Body Awareness and Relaxation
Relaxation training is also body-awareness training. The chronic pain patient’s perception of his or her own body is dominated by the prevailing pain. A main component of the program is providing a wide variety of body experiences. The conscious perception and experiencing of the patient’s own body leads to a body-consciousness that influences his or her self-confidence, and provides a sense of security and strength. By means of simple exercises involving concentration on the soles of the feet, the hands, and the face, perception of the exterior and interior ensues, encompassing the breathing. In a methodical-didactic manner, the patient achieves progressive relaxation, concentrative relaxation, or autogenic training.

MTT- Medical Training Therapy
Instruction in conditioning abilities, which include strength, endurance, mobility, and coordination, is an important component of medical training therapy. This training aims to harmonise the interactions of the nervous system, musculature, metabolism, and breathing with the goal of improving physical performance in order to better master the demands of work, leisure, and everyday activities under the usual conditions. By this means, a long-term improvement in the quality of life can be achieved. 
 
The equipment used in MTT includes:

• a complete selection of training apparatus, on which all muscle groups of the locomotor system can be trained;
• a large selection of modern cardio-apparatus, including a bicycle ergometer, an elliptical trainer, and a treadmill; and
• a number of smaller devices such as a mini-trampoline or a spinner.

Each patient receives an individualised training plan that is tailored to his or her physical condition and needs. The training level is gradually increased, repeatedly evaluated, and adapted as needed. The training program is devised and supervised by our physiotherapists and sport therapists, who also teach the patient exercises that can be done independently.

Nordic Walking
Nordic walking is a form of training aimed at improving overall endurance and optimising cardiovascular efficiency, respiration, joint mobility, and muscle strength. The patient maintains a prescribed heart rate in the aerobic range, and trains together with other patients. Nordic walking is a valuable component of pain therapy, as it is highly suitable as an outdoor sport for patients who enjoy nature. It is comparable to brisk walking, but in contrast to jogging has no airborne phase, which minimises the stress to the joints.

Basic Sports Therapy Program
The basic sports therapy program is comprehensive, i.e., a broad spectrum of exercises and games is provided. The program includes training of all motor abilities that involve strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination. Patients are shown simple stretching and limbering exercises as well as exercises to improve balance and proprioception, body awareness, and relaxation. Patients find training with the other group members in the SPZ gym both enjoyable and fun.

Water Therapy in the Treatment of Pain
This therapy is suitable for patients with chronic pain, and emphasises:

• mobilisation of joints,
• strengthening and stretching specific muscle groups, and
• activation and improvement of coordination in the water.

The positive characteristics of the water such as buoyancy and warmth facilitate active movements; the contrast between the natural resistance of the water and the weightlessness of the body is also utilised. Specific movement sequences produce interactions between muscle tension and relaxation. Water therapy markedly increases vitality as well as enjoyment of active movement. Training takes place in small groups in a pool with adjustable depth and a temperature of 32°C in the swim centre of the SPZ. Water therapy is particularly suitable for patients with chronic pain and reduced exercise capacity: moving in the water enables them to regain confidence in their mobility, increase their endurance, and re-learn movements they had been avoiding. In addition, the program provides a gentle introduction to physical activity and exercise for patients with little previous experience.

Aqua-jogging
In the active aqua-jogging program, muscle strength and endurance capacity are simultaneously and optimally trained. In addition, movement coordination is learned while the patient’s tendons, ligaments, and joints are spared excessive stress. When done properly, aqua-jogging is a form of total-body training in which the resistance of the water improves fitness and produces sustained stimulation of the cardio-vascular system. It trains not only the legs, but the arms, shoulders, and stabilising musculature as well. Aqua-jogging is also well-suited for individuals who do not regularly practise sports or are overweight or obese. Our pain patients also have the option of swimming with fins, which provides a good opportunity to exercise for longer periods without stressing their joints.