Which of the following is a principle of rehabilitation?

• A. Avoid aggravation.
• B. Timing.
• C. Compliance.
• D. Total patient.

Answer: (A)

In rehabilitation, the guiding rule is to avoid aggravation of the healing tissue. Therapy should be chosen and progressed so it doesn’t flare pain, swelling, or inflammation or push the injured area beyond what it can safely handle. By staying within the tissue’s tolerance, healing can proceed smoothly and function can be restored without setbacks. Therapists monitor symptoms, adjust loading, and pace exercises to keep the process irritation-free, which supports safer, longer-term improvements.

Timing, compliance, and addressing the patient as a whole are important aspects of rehab, but they don’t capture that universal safeguard as clearly. Avoiding aggravation provides the clearest framework for progressing therapy safely while promoting healing.