Dr. Guy Trudel often tells his rehab patients that the work they are doing to regain mobility and function is similar to what astronauts do when they return from space.

In fact, people on long-term bed rest experience similar challenges as astronauts at the International Space Station, where microgravity results in less muscle use.

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Astronauts commonly suffer from a number of health issues, some serious, when they return to Earth after long periods in space, ranging from loss of bone density and muscle to eye problems and anemia. It can take months of rehabilitation for them to regain full function.

That is something Trudel frequently talks to his patients about.

“I often refer to how the rehabilitation of astronauts goes and I tell my patients, ‘You are doing th

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