Central Texas Veterans Health Care System

Fitness Rehabilitation Program

The Fitness Rehabilitation Program is designed to provide specialized care, both preventative and restorative, for veterans at-risk of disease or injury related to acute or chronic illness or unhealthy lifestyles.  The program is designed to reduce the risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, and other debilitating diseases.

OBJECTIVES:
Participation in the Fitness/Wellness Program is designed for patients who wish to improve their physical fitness level.

Preventive Fitness program is designed for patients at risk of developing chronic illnesses or diseases as a result of sedentary lifestyles, poor lifestyle choices, or strong  family history of chronic illness.

Restorative Fitness program is designed for those patients with existing chronic illnesses or diseases.

PM&RS CTVHCS Outpatient Rehabilitation

Program provides rehabilitation services that emphasize independent functioning.  We utilize an individualized treatment approach, education and consultation by qualified staff to reach achievable outcomes for our Veterans.  Rehabilitation Services are provided at all of the four facilities within the CTVHCS.

ELIGIBILITY:
Veteran must be referred via electronic consult and be eligible for VA Services.
Therapist will determine whether the veteran can benefit from rehabilitation treatment.
Veteran must be willing to comply with therapy and treatment for the duration needed to address the assessed therapeutic needs.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
You are responsible for the proper reporting of your health status and unusual feelings during exercise to your therapist immediately.

DO NOT:
•Exceed your target heart rate
•Exercise when you do not fee well
•Exercise within 2 hours of eating, using tobacco or alcohol
•Use extremely hot water during showering after exercise

DO:
•Report any unusual symptoms such as dizziness, chest pains, shortness of breath, etc. immediately
•Check with the rehabilitation staff before leaving the program site
•Follow recommendations of the rehabilitation staff
•Monitor your own glucose level, pulse rate, blood pressure, etc.

EXERCISES:
Exercises which may be included in the rehabilitation fitness program include:

•Treadmill
•Stretching
•Resistive Training