Exercise Therapy in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is exercise therapy?
Exercise therapy is the use of specific, measured exercise as a medical treatment. A physical therapist prescribes the type of exercise, how hard it is, how many times it is repeated and how often it is done, in the same way a doctor prescribes a medicine, and then adjusts that dose as your body responds.
Two principles make exercise therapy work. The first is specificity: the body adapts to exactly what it practises, so a person who needs to climb stairs trains stepping, and a person who lifts at work trains lifting. The second is progressive loading: muscles, tendons and bones grow stronger when the demand on them rises steadily, so each exercise becomes gradually harder as it becomes easier.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, exercise therapy is delivered by the hospital's own physical therapists, who work closely with the orthopedic surgeons. It forms the backbone of most programmes within the physiotherapy service, from back pain to recovery after an operation.
Who needs it
Exercise therapy helps people of all ages with:
- Back, neck, knee, hip and shoulder pain
- Tendon problems, such as Achilles, kneecap and shoulder tendon pain, which respond particularly well to gradual loading
- Recovery after injury, fracture or orthopedic surgery
- Joint arthritis, where strong muscles protect the joint
- Low bone density, alongside osteoporosis management, where weight-bearing and strength exercise support bone health
- Poor balance, unsteadiness or a fear of falling in older adults
- Deconditioning after illness, a hospital stay or a long period of inactivity
- Preparation for surgery, such as before a knee replacement
People with heart, lung or other long-term conditions can exercise too; the physical therapist takes these into account and checks with your doctor where needed.
What happens
Exercise therapy starts with an assessment of your strength, flexibility, balance, walking and fitness, and a discussion of the tasks that matter to you. The physical therapist records a few simple measures, such as how many times you can rise from a chair or how long you can balance on one leg, to track progress.
Your programme then draws on several types of exercise:
- Strength exercises using body weight, resistance bands or weights, for the muscles that support the painful or weak area
- Mobility exercises to restore joint range and flexibility
- Balance and coordination training, progressing from standing with support to single-leg and moving tasks
- Motor control exercises that retrain how muscles work together, such as the deep trunk muscles during lifting
- Aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling or swimming, for heart, lung and general fitness
- Functional training that practises real tasks, such as squatting to pick up a child, carrying shopping or kneeling
In supervised sessions, the physical therapist teaches each exercise, corrects technique and decides when to progress. A simple pain rule often guides the dose: pain during exercise that stays mild and settles by the next day is acceptable, and the programme is adjusted if pain stays higher.
The home programme is kept short and specific, so it fits into daily life. Many people find linking exercises to existing habits, such as after each prayer or while the kettle boils, makes them easier to keep up.
Preparing for it
- Wear comfortable sports clothing and supportive trainers.
- Bring a list of your medicines and health conditions, including heart, lung and diabetes conditions.
- Eat a light meal a little before the session and bring water.
- Bring glucose tablets or a snack if you have diabetes and use insulin or medicines that can lower blood sugar.
- Think about your goals, such as walking to the mosque, playing with grandchildren or returning to the gym.
Afterwards
Muscle ache a day or two after new or harder exercise is normal and is a sign that the muscles are adapting. It eases as your body gets used to the programme.
Keep exercising between sessions, as progress comes from regular practice over time. Record what you do so the physical therapist can progress it at your next visit. After the supervised programme ends, a maintenance routine keeps the strength you have built.
In the Sharjah heat, exercise indoors or in the early morning or evening, and drink water before, during and after. During Ramadan, exercising after iftar suits most people; agree the timing with your physical therapist.
Stop exercising and seek help immediately if you have chest pain, severe breathlessness, dizziness or palpitations during exercise; go to the emergency department if these persist. Contact the hospital if a joint becomes swollen, or pain increases and stays higher day after day.
Cost and insurance
Exercise therapy is part of physiotherapy, so UAE insurance plans that cover physiotherapy usually cover it, with a doctor's referral, pre-approval and a session cap. Gym memberships and home equipment are usually excluded. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of exercise therapy?
Exercise therapy is safe for most people when prescribed and progressed properly, and temporary muscle soreness is the most common effect. Increasing the load too quickly can cause a flare of pain or a strain. People with heart, lung or balance problems are assessed first so exercises can be set at a safe level.
Should exercise hurt during physiotherapy?
Exercise during physiotherapy may cause mild discomfort, especially with tendon or arthritis problems, and this is often acceptable. Pain that is sharp, or that is higher the next day and keeps building, means the exercise needs adjusting.
Do I need equipment for exercise therapy at home?
Most home exercise therapy programmes need little or no equipment, using body weight, a chair, a step or a resistance band. The physical therapist designs the programme around what you have at home.
Is exercise safe if I have osteoporosis?
Exercise is safe and helpful for most people with osteoporosis when chosen carefully. Strength and balance exercises support bone and reduce the risk of falls, while the physical therapist avoids movements that load the spine heavily in forward bending.
Can older adults do exercise therapy?
Older adults benefit greatly from exercise therapy, particularly strength and balance training, which improves walking, rising from chairs and confidence. The programme starts at a suitable level and progresses gradually.
How is exercise therapy different from going to the gym?
Exercise therapy is prescribed after an assessment to treat a specific problem, with exercises chosen, dosed and progressed by a physical therapist. A gym programme is aimed at general fitness and is useful after exercise therapy ends.
Is exercise therapy covered by insurance in the UAE?
Exercise therapy is usually covered by UAE insurance as part of physiotherapy, with referral, pre-approval and a session cap. Gym memberships and home equipment are usually excluded.
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