Aromatherapy: Enhancing Physical Therapy With Essential Oils

Active Range of Motion (AROM) is a term used by physical therapists to refer to the range of movement through which a patient can actively move a joint using the muscles adjacent to the joint without external assistance. Simply put, it is how far you can voluntarily move a joint. For example, the AROM of your shoulder is determined by how far you can reach your arm up above your head. AROM is one of the factors gauged for both medical and fitness purposes.

AROM is controlled by muscle contraction and flexion

Active Range of Motion (AROM) is a type of therapeutic exercise designed to increase the distance in a joint's movement. It is the range of movement that can be achieved when opposing muscles contract and relax, resulting in joint movement.

AROM is one of the three types of range of motion exercises, the other two being Passive Range of Motion (PROM) and Active-Assisted Range of Motion (AAROM). AROM is performed independently by the patient, who can voluntarily contract, control, and coordinate a movement. For example, to flex the elbow, the biceps contract while the triceps relax.

AROM is an important indicator of health, fitness, and mobility levels. It is used in medical and fitness settings to guide therapy and improve mobility and fitness levels. Doctors use AROM measurements to diagnose joint or soft tissue injuries, while physical therapists use it as a key indicator in rehabilitation to gauge recovery.

AROM is used in diagnosis

AROM, or Active Range of Motion, is a factor that is gauged for both medical and fitness purposes. It is used to diagnose many joint or soft tissue injuries. Doctors use AROM measurements as a tool to diagnose such injuries. For instance, moving a joint with a sprained muscle or tendon will cause pain, and the point of pain limits the AROM and indicates the type of injury. On the other hand, if there is no pain but the AROM is limited, it can indicate a problem within the joint, like a ligament sprain.

AROM is also used in rehabilitation. Physical therapists use it as a key indicator to gauge recovery. Measuring how far a patient can voluntarily move the injured joint indicates strength and control. Increasing AROM can be achieved with exercises to strengthen the tendons and muscles, as well as stretches and treatments to improve joint mobility.

AROM is also used in fitness, where athletes use it to improve their fitness levels. How far one can move their limbs can impact their performance in sports and overall fitness.

AROM is different for each joint and individual, depending on many factors. These factors include genetics, age, fitness levels, injuries, medical conditions, and more. When AROM is limited, it requires medical expertise to determine the cause.

AROM is a key indicator in rehabilitation

Physical therapy, or physiotherapy, is a health profession concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and disability through physical means. It is based on principles of medical science and is considered a form of conventional medicine.

Range of motion (ROM) is a term used to describe the extent to which a body part can move around a joint or fixed point. It is the totality of movement a joint is capable of. Active range of motion (AROM) is the range of movement through which a patient can actively move a joint without external assistance, using the muscles adjacent to the joint.

There are several health issues that contribute to restricted range of motion, including problems with body mechanics, diseases such as arthritis, and medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. ROM is also influenced by the physical aspects of the joint, such as cartilage, joint fluid, and bones, which can restrict movement even with strong muscles and tendons.

Increasing AROM can be beneficial, but pushing beyond it can result in injury. To avoid this, it is recommended to improve joint strength and flexibility through controlled, smaller movements. Just 10 minutes of stretching three times a week can help enhance range of motion.

AROM can be improved with stretching and strengthening exercises

Active Range of Motion (AROM) is a type of exercise performed by the patient without assistance. The patient uses their own muscles to move a joint through its full range of motion. AROM is often used in physical therapy to improve the range of motion of a joint that has been injured or restricted.

Strengthening exercises are more vigorous and are designed to work the muscles harder. As the muscle becomes stronger, it provides greater joint support and helps to reduce loading and stress through the joint. For strengthening exercises, one set of 8-10 exercises for the major muscle groups of the body, 4-5 times a week is recommended. Most people should complete 8-10 repetitions of each exercise.

A combination of stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve AROM. Just 10 minutes of stretching three times a week can help improve range of motion. However, it is important to gradually increase the intensity of exercises to avoid injury and discomfort.

Additionally, foam rolling followed by stretching has been found to be more beneficial in increasing performance compared to stretching alone.

AROM differs from PROM

Range of motion (ROM) refers to how far a person can move or stretch a body part, such as a joint or a muscle. It is different for each individual. For instance, some people can perform full splits, while others cannot due to differences in joint looseness and muscle length.

There are three types of range of motion exercises: Active Range of Motion (AROM), Passive Range of Motion (PROM), and Assisted Active Range of Motion (AAROM).

AROM refers to the movement of a body part, such as lifting your arms above your head, that is achieved by using your muscles without any external assistance. In other words, you make the effort to move within your active range of motion independently.

PROM, on the other hand, involves moving a body part through a variety of stretching exercises performed by a physical therapist or with the aid of specialised equipment. During PROM, the client does not actively engage their muscles to initiate the movement. Instead, the movement is created by an external force, such as a massage or a physical therapist.

AROM and PROM differ in the level of patient independence and muscle engagement. With AROM, the patient actively contracts and relaxes their muscles to achieve joint movement independently. This strengthens the muscles and improves overall health and mobility over time. PROM, however, is performed when the patient is unable or not permitted to actively move the body part. In these cases, an external force, such as a therapist or equipment, moves the joint through a series of stretches. PROM is beneficial when a person is bedridden or wheelchair-bound due to a stroke or accident, as it helps maintain and improve their range of motion.

The choice between AROM and PROM depends on the specific condition and the underlying problem. For example, AROM is suitable for some arm injuries that require movement within a pain-free range, while PROM is recommended for preventing contractures and increasing the range of motion in cases of shoulder stiffness or flaccid UE due to a stroke.

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