Products for Physical Therapy

All types of people use physical therapy to recover from injury, regain strength after an illness or medical procedure, or help prevent problems in the future. Professional physical therapists use complex, specialized machinery in this therapy, but patients may also use basic physical therapy products for extended treatment in the comfort and privacy of the home.

Free Weights

• Free weights, while also useful for strength training, are one option for physical therapy. Lifting weights can help patients to strengthen muscles and cause tendons and ligaments to become more flexible. This can lead to an increased range of motion and help offset the fatigue that can come with muscle atrophy after a prolonged period of inactivity, such as during a major illness or long-term injury and recovery period.

Exercise Bike

• Exercise bikes, also known as pedal machines, are stationary bicycles that allow physical therapy patients to perform lower body and cardiovascular exercises. The circular motion of pedaling a bike takes stress off the patient's joints, which can be more safe than walking or jogging.

Parallel Bars

• Parallel bars are for patients who have difficulty walking. They provide a set of rails at a convenient height and are usually adjustable to accommodate patients of differing heights. Walking the length of a set of parallel bars can help a patient perform walking exercises safely, and may be safer than walking with a cane or other device.

Treadmill

• Treadmills provide a controlled means of walking or jogging for patients with a variety of needs. The automated speed settings and integrated heart monitors on some modern treadmills allow users to track progress and monitor work level. Treadmills are especially useful for patients who find it difficult or inconvenient to walk outdoors due to unsafe streets or bad weather.

Stair Trainer

• A stair trainer is a small staircase with an integrated set of handrails. It is for patients developing lower body strength and control skills, including balance. By working with a stair trainer, a patient can work toward being able to climb stairs unassisted.

Massagers

• Many different kinds of massagers help reduce pain and relax muscles following, or in place of, other physical therapy exercises. Electric massage pads create a vibrating effect that can relieve tension and pain wherever they are applied. Specialty back and foot massagers target those problem areas, while massage chairs offer a full-body massage at the touch of a button.

Stability Ball

• Stability balls, which have since become a major piece of personal exercise equipment, began as a physical therapy product. They allow patients to perform a variety of low-impact exercises in a limited space. The inflatable balls come in a range of sizes and offer a soft product that's comfortable to use and adaptable for many types of exercises that physical therapists suggest.