A guide for patients using resistance band and tubing

What are resistance bands and tubing? • Resistance bands and tubing are widely used for general strength, conditioning and rehabilitation following an injury or surgery. • Resistance band exercises are ideal for home exercise programmes. Your physiotherapist will have developed an individualised programme to meet your needs and abilities.

What do I need to know before using a resistance band or tubing? • Please avoid sharing your exercises and equipment with another person as they may not be appropriate and could do harm. • Use of resistance band or tubing may cause serious injury when not used properly. • If you have a latex allergy, you should inform your therapist prior to using resistance bands. Latex free resistance bands may be available.

What safety measures do I need to take when using the bands or tubing? • You should avoid movements that involve over stretching the resistance bands or tubing. These may snap towards the head and cause injury to the head or eyes. If these types of exercises are prescribed, protective eyewear should be worn. • If you experience sharp pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or light headedness with any of these exercises, stop immediately. If these symptoms do not settle rapidly, seek medical help. • As with any exercise programme, you may experience muscle soreness for three to four days afterwards. If you are concerned, check with your physiotherapist. • You should ensure the resistance band or tubing is securely attached to a sturdy object or attachment before using. • You should not overstretch bands or tubing by more than three times the resting length. Example: a 12” (30cm) band should not be stretched to more than 36” (90cm) total length. • You are advised to check the band or tubing by keeping it away from sharp objects. Please remove rings from the fingers before using resistance bands or tubing and be aware of long, sharp fingernails. Store away from sunlight as this weakens the latex material. • Always examine your resistance band or tube before using it, checking nicks, tears or punctures that may cause it to break. If you find a defect you need to throw it away and ask for a new one from your physiotherapist.

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Contact details

Area Address Phone West View Integrated Care Centre, Plummer Lane, Ashford 01580 261515 Tenterden TN30 6TX Aylesford Churchill Centre, Preston Hall, Aylesford ME20 7NJ 01622 225722

Canterbury Canterbury Health Centre, Old Dover Road, Canterbury CT1 3JH 01227 597040

Deal Victoria Hospital, London Road, Deal CT14 9UA 01304 865426

Dover Dover Health Centre, Maison Dieu Road, Dover CT16 1RH 01304 865600 Edenbridge and District Memorial Hospital, Mill Hill, 01732 869803 Edenbridge Edenbridge TN8 5DA Faversham Faversham Cottage Hospital, Stone Street, Faversham ME13 8PS 01795 562073 Royal Victoria Hospital, Radnor Park Avenue, Folkestone 01303 852714 Folkestone CT19 5AN Gravesham Community Hospital, Bath Street, Gravesend 01474 360671 Gravesend DA11 0DG Hawkhurst Community Hospital, High Street, Hawkhurst 01580 753412 Hawkhurst TN18 4PU Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, King Edward Avenue, Herne Bay 01227 594767 Herne Bay CT6 6EB Maidstone Coxheath Clinic, Heath Road, Coxheath, Maidstone ME17 4AH 01622 741860

Sevenoaks Sevenoaks Hospital, Hospital Road, Sevenoaks TN14 5RA 01732 470323 Sheppey Community Hospital, Plover Road, Off Barton Hill Drive, Sheppey 01795 879145 Minster on Sea ME12 3LT Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital, Bell Road, Sittingbourne 01795 418358 Sittingbourne ME10 4DT Tonbridge Tonbridge Cottage Hospital, Vauxhall Lane, Tonbridge TN11 0NE 01732 355597 Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital, Northwood Road, Tankerton, Whitstable 01227 594626 Whitstable CT5 2HN

Customer Care Team .16 If you have a query about our health services, or would like to If you need communication support, an interpreter comment, compliment or complain about Kent Community Health or this information in another language, audio, 19 .08 NHS Foundation Trust, you can contact the Customer Care Team. Braille, Easy Read or large print, please ask a member of staff. Phone: 0300 123 1807, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday Please say if you would like the team to call you back You will be asked for your agreement to treatment Text: 07899 903499 Email: [email protected] and, if necessary, your permission to share your personal information. Address: Customer Care Team, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, Unit J, Concept Court, Shearway Business Park, Leaflet code: 00054 Published: July 2016 Folkestone, Kent CT19 4RJ Web: www.kentcht.nhs.uk Expires: July 2019 Page 2 of 2

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