What is Rx3?
Rx3 stands for “Rehab, Refit, Return to Duty.” Rx3 is a guide to help Military Service Members recover from and prevent common musculoskeletal injuries, ultimately improving their overall physical fitness. “Rehab” (rehabilitation) improves function and reduces pain from physical injuries. “Refit” refers to the rebuilding process to improve your overall fitness level. Finally, “Return to Duty” ensures that you fully recover to meet all your active-duty mission requirements.
What is musculoskeletal injury?
Musculoskeletal injuries involve damage to your muscles, bones, joints, tendons, or ligaments. They can happen in a variety of ways during physical activity. The most common non-combat injuries in the military occur during running, playing sports, and lifting weights.
Why should I do this rehabilitation program?
Rehabilitation involves doing exercises and stretches to increase the strength, endurance, and flexibility of your injured area. Over time, this reduces your pain and returns your body to its normal function. Rx3 is a rehabilitation and reconditioning program developed by a team of leading experts in human performance. It encompasses the latest ideas from commonly agreed upon and scientifically researched information to help you return to duty as quickly and safely as possible.
How long is it going to take me to get better?
With consistent use of the Rx3 program, it will still take 4–6 weeks for your injury to heal. Some injuries will take longer, but it’s important to consult your healthcare provider if your pain increases or continues after 6 weeks of rehab exercises.
Can I continue to run and lift weights in addition to the Rx3 exercises?
Until you find out and limit the activity that caused your injury, you should be very careful about continuing to do your normal exercise routine. Ultimately, you should be able to do other exercises as long as your healthcare provider approves them.
What should I do if I have pain in my injured area?
Even when following your rehab exercises with the proper form and technique, you should still expect some soreness, but by the next day your injury should not feel worse. If your pain worsens, immediately consult your healthcare provider. And if after 6 weeks of Rx3 your injury is not better, consult your healthcare provider.
Do I have to follow the order of the exercises in Rx3?
For the best results, it’s important to follow the program as it was designed, because each exercise builds on the one before. Each session includes strengthening exercises, core exercises, a cardio component, and stretches in that order. Make sure you always do all the parts of each session and in the order listed.
How can I contact HPRC if I have questions?
HPRC has an Ask the Expert link where you can send your questions. Our experts will reply with detailed information.
Rx3 is intended to be an at-home rehabilitation program for minor injuries. Do not begin the Rx3 program unless you have seen your doctor to rule out other serious medical conditions. Discuss an at-home recovery regimen with your doctor prior to starting Rx3. CHAMP, the Uniformed Services University, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government may not be held liable or responsible for any use or application of the information on this page.