A patient who is undergoing rehabilitation is also likely to be conducting physical therapy at the same time. This requires the use of various pieces of physical therapy equipment both in the therapist's office and in the patient's home. Exercises will be recommended by the therapist which the patient can easily replicate in his own home. These strength building exercises prescribed by the physical therapist need to be adhered to and complied with on a regular basis. In order to fully comply, the patient will need to purchase for home use the physical therapy equipment required by the therapist as well.
Before deciding upon physical therapy equipment for home use, the patient should consult with his therapist to ensure that he is purchasing the right piece for his size and injury type. The many different pieces of equipment are sized for differences in height and girth among patients. Knowing the patient's height and weight is vital to finding and using the right equipment for him. Equipment such as exercise balls come in different sizes based upon the patient's height. Other pieces, like treadmills are more easily adapted to patients of all sizes. If a patient is looking for a treadmill for home rehabilitation, he will need to find a room where the treadmill will be permanently placed. If no such place exists, then the treadmill should be easily folded and lightweight enough for the patient to move it alone without straining. For those undergoing physical therapy, though a fixed model is preferable since it will prevent injury from moving the unit. It will also encourage the patient to keep abreast of his physical therapy exercises, such as daily walking or cardiovascular activity.
Physical therapy often leads to recovery by rebuilding lost muscle and strength. It does this through the use of resistance physical therapy equipment. For the muscles to build, they must be worked. The therapist will have the patient do the exercises with resistance, but the patient should never feel that he is straining. Many pieces of equipment offer resistance. The patient might use dumb bells or resistance bands. The therapist could also use the patient's own body weight as a resistance force by having the patient do exercises, such as push ups or sit ups, on a floor mat.
Prior to investing in any type of physical therapy equipment, an individual should work together with his/her therapist or doctor to develop set routine(s) with measurable goals and timelines. The routine may vary in difficulty and duration as the individual makes progress towards recovery. Initially, simple exercises built around resistance bands and resistance tubing, should, over time, evolve into progressively longer and more challenging exercises using dumbbells and balance boards. Many types of physical therapy exercise equipment are also portable and can be used equally well at home and in an office setting. This in turn will allow you to have continuity with your physical therapy routine and will help to get you on the road to full recovery faster.
There are many types of specially designed physical therapy equipment ranging from devices to aid in activities of daily living (ADL) to exercise equipment that can include anything from treatment tables and arm splints to treadmills and weights. The equipment needs for any physical therapy office can vary greatly depending on the type of physical therapy that is the main focus of your practice. Each different type of patient or client has individual needs depending on the reason physical therapy is needed.
Physical therapy in general is a type of practiced medicine that involves highly specialized exercises designed to improve the quality of movement and strength for those with illnesses or injuries and is also designed to prevent future injuries or health problems. Physical therapy may include such varied activities as stretching limbs, weight lifting, walking exercises or water aerobics. Physical therapy can also include what is known as manual therapy. This is when the physical therapist will perform twisting, pushing or pulling of body parts to improve function, strength and mobility for those that need this type of therapy.
The best way to determine what type of physical therapy equipment you may need is to have a thorough knowledge of the types of physical therapy being performed in your office. If you mainly work with geriatric patients for example, many of the needs of your patients will focus on mobility issues and increasing daily function as well as aiding those with the many physical and mental disabilities associated with aging. Common devices used can include walkers, canes, crutches, lifts and transfer boards as well as other equipment patients can use at home to promote self sufficiency.
Orthopedic physical therapy often also focuses on mobility issues and will include some types of similar equipment as well. Other equipment often used for orthopedic patients include the additional use of collars, splints and braces. Rehabilitation physical therapy for those with severe injuries and physically disabling illnesses may need specially designed treatment tables, mattresses, wedges and scales. Other types of physical therapy that need specialized equipment include pediatric physical therapy and therapy to aid function in those with cardiac and pulmonary diseases and disorders.
First determine the type of patients that are the main focus of your facility. Then list all the types of physical therapy that are commonly (and perhaps even not so commonly) needed for your particular clientele. Once you have determined this, you can then go through each type of therapy you will be using in your office to meet your patients' needs and take inventory of all equipment needed for each particular type of physical therapy.
If you are the manager or owner of the office or facility, you may not know enough about the specifics of the therapy performed to determine your needs on your own. It will be highly beneficial to consult with the physical therapists within your office. You will need to spend time speaking with them to get their feedback on the specific needs of the patients coming to your practice. It is also best to spend time observing the types of therapy they perform on a daily basis and how each is performed. This will give you a much better idea of what is needed within the office to adequately meet your needs.
Both Gary Gordon & Amy Nutt are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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