Friday, January 18, 2008

Physical Therapy Equipment & Exercise Tips

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.

About The Author: To learn more visit our
http://rehabilitation-products.medical-supplies-equipment-company.com
physical therapy section or read more about the benefits
http://rehabilitation-products.medical-supplies-equipment-company.com/PPF/page_ID/412/article.asp
physical therapy equipment.