| A patient who is undergoing rehabilitation is | | | | patient to keep abreast of his physical |
| also likely to be conducting physical therapy | | | | therapy exercises, such as daily walking or |
| at the same time. This requires the use of | | | | cardiovascular activity. |
| various pieces of physical therapy equipment | | | | |
| both in the therapist's office and in the | | | | Physical therapy often leads to recovery by |
| patient's home. Exercises will be recommended | | | | rebuilding lost muscle and strength. It does |
| by the therapist which the patient can easily | | | | this through the use of resistance physical |
| replicate in his own home. These strength | | | | therapy equipment. For the muscles to build, |
| building exercises prescribed by the physical | | | | they must be worked. The therapist will have |
| therapist need to be adhered to and complied | | | | the patient do the exercises with resistance, |
| with on a regular basis. In order to fully | | | | but the patient should never feel that he is |
| comply, the patient will need to purchase for | | | | straining. Many pieces of equipment offer |
| home use the physical therapy equipment | | | | resistance. The patient might use dumb bells |
| required by the therapist as well. | | | | or resistance bands. The therapist could also |
| | | | use the patient's own body weight as a |
| Before deciding upon physical therapy | | | | resistance force by having the patient do |
| equipment for home use, the patient should | | | | exercises, such as push ups or sit ups, on a |
| consult with his therapist to ensure that he | | | | floor mat. |
| is purchasing the right piece for his size | | | | |
| and injury type. The many different pieces of | | | | Prior to investing in any type of physical |
| equipment are sized for differences in height | | | | therapy equipment, an individual should work |
| and girth among patients. Knowing the | | | | together with his/her therapist or doctor to |
| patient's height and weight is vital to | | | | develop set routine(s) with measurable goals |
| finding and using the right equipment for | | | | and timelines. The routine may vary in |
| him. Equipment such as exercise balls come in | | | | difficulty and duration as the individual |
| different sizes based upon the patient's | | | | makes progress towards recovery. Initially, |
| height. Other pieces, like treadmills are | | | | simple exercises built around resistance |
| more easily adapted to patients of all sizes. | | | | bands and resistance tubing, should, over |
| If a patient is looking for a treadmill for | | | | time, evolve into progressively longer and |
| home rehabilitation, he will need to find a | | | | more challenging exercises using dumbbells |
| room where the treadmill will be permanently | | | | and balance boards. Many types of physical |
| placed. If no such place exists, then the | | | | therapy exercise equipment are also portable |
| treadmill should be easily folded and | | | | and can be used equally well at home and in |
| lightweight enough for the patient to move it | | | | an office setting. This in turn will allow |
| alone without straining. For those undergoing | | | | you to have continuity with your physical |
| physical therapy, though a fixed model is | | | | therapy routine and will help to get you on |
| preferable since it will prevent injury from | | | | the road to full recovery faster. |
| moving the unit. It will also encourage the | | | | |