Your Progress. Put Into Motion.
Therapeutic Exercise in Atlanta
Reaching overhead, lifting your child, getting through work, or returning to the gym—your goals give exercise its purpose. At ChiroJunky ATL, Dr. Magen Henry recommends targeted movements based on your evaluation, current abilities, and what you want to do more comfortably.
What Is Therapeutic Exercise?
Therapeutic exercise is movement prescribed to address a specific physical need. Rather than following a general workout, you practice exercises selected to improve areas such as mobility, strength, endurance, or movement control. Your program starts at an appropriate level and changes as you progress.
What Types of Exercise Might Be Included?
Mobility and flexibility
Controlled movements and stretches that work on joint range of motion and your ability to move comfortably.
Strengthening
Exercises using body weight, resistance bands, or other equipment to build your muscles’ ability to produce force.
Endurance
Activities that develop your ability to sustain effort, whether that means walking farther or performing a task with less fatigue.
Balance and movement control
Exercises that practice stability, coordination, and control during everyday activities.
Your plan may combine several approaches, depending on your needs.
Why Might It Be Recommended?
Pain, injury, or time away from activity can change how you move and what you feel able to do. Therapeutic exercise provides a structured way to work on those limitations. For example, difficulty reaching overhead may lead to exercises addressing shoulder mobility and strength. Trouble tolerating a daily activity may call for gradually building endurance or practicing the movement itself. The goal is practical progress that carries into your life.
What Does Research Say?
A 2025 systematic review of 11 randomized trials supported therapeutic exercise and manual therapy as options for persistent, nonspecific neck pain. Combined approaches showed promising results, although study quality varied. A separate 2025 review of rehabilitation after lumbar spine surgery generally supported supervised therapeutic exercise for appropriately selected patients. It emphasized adapting the program to the surgery, healing timeline, and individual needs. These findings support purposeful, individualized exercise, not one routine or recovery schedule for everyone.
What Happens During Your Visit?
Dr. Magen assesses your movement and explains what each recommended exercise is intended to address. You’ll practice the movements with guidance on positioning, technique, and effort. When home exercises are recommended, you’ll know how often to perform them and when to modify or stop. Your available time, equipment, and daily routine help shape a manageable plan.
Does Exercise Have to Hurt to Work?
Exercise may feel challenging, but pushing through worsening pain is not the goal. Tell Dr. Magen about sharp pain, new numbness, weakness, or a significant increase in symptoms. Your program can be adjusted based on your response. If you’ve recently had surgery, exercise recommendations must account for your surgeon’s instructions and recovery restrictions.
How Will We Track Progress?
We look beyond repetitions. Progress may mean reaching more comfortably, walking farther, lifting with greater confidence, or returning to an activity you enjoy. Your exercises are reassessed and progressed as your abilities and goals change.
Explore the Research
Therapeutic exercise: an overview
Manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for persistent neck pain — 2025