Your physical therapist can work with you – in the clinic, in the hospital, or at home – to maximize your bed mobility. He or she may prescribe specific exercises to help improve the way you are able to scoot, roll, and sit up or lie down on your bed.
If you or a loved one is having difficulty moving in bed, check in with your healthcare provider to get started on the right treatment for you. A visit to your physical therapist may be in order to learn exercises – like the ones in this step-by-step program – to improve your bed mobility and to get back to your normal activity level.
Before starting this, or any other exercise program, check in with your healthcare provider to ensure that exercise is safe for you to do.
Ready? Let’s get started.
To perform the gluteal set, lie on your back in bed and squeeze your buttocks as if you were holding back flatulence. Squeeze your buttock muscles (called the gluteals or glutes) and hold them squeezed for five seconds. Relax slowly and repeat the exercise for 10 repetitions.
To perform the hip adduction squeeze, obtain a ball or rolled up bath towel. Lie on your back with your knees bent and a ball between them. Tighten your stomach muscles, and then gently squeeze the ball or towel. Hold the squeeze for five seconds, and then slowly relax.
Repeat the hip adduction ball squeeze for 10 repetitions, and then go on to the next exercise for bed mobility.
Lie on your back with your knees bent. Slowly and gently roll your knees to one side. Be sure to keep your shoulders flat as your knees roll. Bring your knees back to the starting position, and then roll to the opposite side. Repeat for 10 repetitions.
If you feel any back pain as the result of the low trunk rotation exercise, stop the exercise and check in with your healthcare provider.
Repeat for 10 repetitions for each leg.
The straight leg raise exercise can be made more challenging by adding a cuff weight to your thigh or ankle, thus increasing the resistance. You can also perform the straight leg raise on your side or stomach to strengthen the muscles in the back and side of your hips. Your physical therapist can show you how to properly perform all of the straight leg raising exercises.
Hold the raised bridge position for two seconds, and then slowly lower yourself down. Repeat the bridge for ten repetitions.
The bed mobility exercises can be performed two to three times per day, and they can be done right in bed to help you improve the way you can move while lying down.
A Word From Verywell
If you are having difficulty with bed mobility, check with your healthcare provider and then with your physical therapist. He or she can teach you specific bed mobility exercises to help improve your overall functional mobility and your ability to move about in bed.
Take your bed mobility to the next level with the Advanced Hip Strengthening Exercise Program!
