Physical Therapy Out - Wiihabilitation In?

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:00:00 -0800

When I tore my rotator cuff, I had to do some serious physical therapy to help it heal. Although it worked, I have to say the exercises were so repetitive and boring that it was difficult to motivate myself to do them. Now rehab therapy is trying to spice things up by using the Nintendo Wii. Strangely enough, many of the movements required to play Wii are similar to movements in traditional physical-therapy exercises. Since many of the games require you to beat the opponent on the screen, it creates a sense of competitiveness that makes patients want to move their bodies. Plus it's more fun so patients play longer and heal faster.

Wiihabilitation, as it's called, can be used for patients who are recovering from broken bones, surgery, strokes, or other ailments and injuries. The Wii Sports games, such as tennis, baseball, boxing, and golf are the most useful, and it's great for patients of all ages, too, since the games are pretty simple. So the next time you break a leg, don't be surprised if your physical therapist hands you a Wii controller.

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