Physical Therapy Equipment &Amp; Exercise Tips

By Gary Gordon

Physical therapy equipment was once thought to be exclusively for the use of injured professional athletes, but now, many people are entering into the exercise world. As more and older people begin to lead more active lives, injuries are sure to increase, as will the need for physical therapy, but physical therapy is not just for those who have sports injuries, it is also a means of recovering from any major injury or illness. Those who have had surgery, nerve damage, or even some severe burns, are all candidates to use the physical therapy equipment found in a therapist’s office. Much of this equipment can also be brought home for the patient to continue his rehabilitation away from the office.

It will be likely that the patient will need his own set of the same sort of physical therapy equipment found in the therapist’s office. Some pieces are more convenient than others for home use. Among these are resistance bands, ankle and wrist weights, and finger and hand exercisers. The patient will still need supervision when using resistance bands to ensure that he has the proper form. This will prevent further injury. Other pieces of equipment the patient is likely to encounter at the office are exercise pulley and stretching equipment, balance boards, and exercise balls. These all require a second person to oversee the exercises since serious injury could result from their misuse.

The patient should work to rebuild muscle tone which is often lost during the non-use of the resting period following the injury or surgery. This requires that the patient works carefully with the physical therapy equipment to do the proper exercises to avoid further injury or harm. By paying attention to the therapist, the patient will be able to replicate the exercises at home. All of the exercises will need to be done under the supervision of the therapist or another qualified spotter. This ensures that the patient has the proper form and is doing the activity to gain its full benefits.

Too often, patients feel that the exercises prescribed on the physical therapy equipment are too easy. This should serve as a red flag to the therapist that the patient might be performing the activities incorrectly. Physical therapy’s goal is to provide resistance in order to rebuild lost muscle and strength. Consequently, the patient should feel that he is working the muscles targeted. If he does not feel that the muscle is being fully used, he is likely compensating by using improper form. This does not aid in rehabilitation, and it will lengthen the required amount of time for the physical therapy.

Its is strongly recommended that warming up and stretching are done prior to any physical activity and should also become integral parts of your physical therapy routine. Stretching with exercise balls for example, will improve flexibility and strength of your muscles and joints, while warming up with a jump rope will increase your blood flow and circulation. Both of these coupled with appropriate physical therapy exercise equipment will contribute towards increasing the chances of full recovery and minimizing the possibilities of future injuries. Since certain stretching and warm up exercises may have a n adverse affect on your physical therapy recuperation process, always consult with your therapist before starting any new routines.

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