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Physical Therapy at Home: Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Equipment |
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Find the Perfect Equipment for Physical Therapy
If you are injured or ill, have had surgery, and are experiencing difficulty with functional mobility, you could benefit greatly from the skilled services of a physical therapist. Your therapist can help accelerate your recovery, and they can also help you prevent complications. During a physical therapy session, your therapist might recommend certain equipment to help you recover.
Physical therapy tools can be just what you need to restore your physical abilities and mobility safely, but they can be costly. Having an idea of what type of assistance, you could need in the course of your recovery can provide you with insight that will help you plan for your physical therapy from a financial perspective. (Health care expenses are significant, and paying for multiple hospital visits could mean high co-pay charges.) Having a plan for managing physical therapy supplies and equipment will keep your rehabilitation running smoothly.
How can physical therapy help you?
Trained movement experts who provide physical therapy (physical therapy by an allied health professional) are known as physical therapists. They can evaluate your motor function (chances for your physical capability to complete tasks) and, accordingly, identify what's causing your loss of movement. Next, they will make a plan to help you regain your mobility.
Therapists can use various techniques and modalities to help improve your mobility and help you feel more comfortable. Your participation in self-care and independence is encouraged. Doing anything that you can do on your own that does not require the assistance of a therapist will be advantageous for your healing. Sometimes this involves using extra supplies and equipment.
Access to Care
Physical therapy patients may go to a hospital for therapy and attend sessions weekly. And every time you go to one of these centers for therapy, you may incur out-of-pocket expenses.
An effective way to reduce the cost of physical therapy is by utilizing what you learned from your sessions. This may mean following the orders of your doctor and doing you’re at-home exercise program precisely as the doctor instructs you. It may also mean investing in items liked by your physical therapist for use at home.
Discover new exercises to add to your physical therapy routine!
Through independent rehabilitation, you may purchase specific equipment and supplies for self-care. Your therapist can let you know about necessary physical therapy supplies for your specific condition. These supplies might help your rehabilitation and, hopefully, minimize your trips to the physical therapist's office.
Physical therapists typically more than just recommend exercise and develop appropriate regimens. They often work as motivators and examine your movements to certify that you are performing your exercises correctly.
For Lower Back Pain
Poor lumbar backbone health can sometimes cause leg pain and/or sense coming from your spine. If the condition causes a pinched nerve, then you may have leg pain or numbness stemming from your spine. Back pain treatment commonly includes relieving pressure on spinal nerves.
Relieving tension in your back can increase your spinal mobility. These may include stretching routines such as:
- Knees to chest stretch
- Press-ups
- Bridges
- Straight leg raises
Exercises to keep your muscle strength may be conducted, and your therapist may recommend you purchase a balance ball for your back exercises.
Another important component of self-care for low back pain is the postural correction. Your therapist may recommend you use a lumbar roll to help support your spine while sitting. Lumbar rolls are typically inexpensive, ranging in price from $10 to $30. Plus, you can make your own lumbar roll for postural support by rolling up a bath towel and placing it behind your back.
Your therapist might also suggest using a back brace to deal with your back discomfort. This part of your physical therapy equipment is often a covered expense by your insurer, particularly if your doctor and therapist recommend it.
For Shoulder Pain
If you feel pain in your rotator cuff muscles, your therapist may recommend exercise to strengthen them in order to support your shoulder joint. Using resistance bands may help you improve your workouts. Small dumbbells, weighing from one to five pounds, may also be helpful to strengthen your shoulder muscles.
Some therapists employ a technique called kinesiology taping, which encourages physical improvement by easing the muscular strain on the shoulder. It's possible for you to learn this technique yourself, and a roll of kinesiology tape costs as much as $15.
For Leg Pain
When you have thigh or leg pain, you might benefit from doing straight leg raises to improve your hip and leg strength. Your physical therapist may use cuffs in PT clinics to add more resistance to your exercises. Some patients benefit from using cuff weights around their ankles at home during legs exercises. An adjustable cuff weight may be best; small metal bars can be removed or update the amount of resistance to fit the needs of patients.
If your physical therapist recommends a few exercises for your leg pain, your physical therapist might be able to suggest a self-stretching strap to buy for around $20. It can be used to lengthen your hips, hamstrings, quads, and calves.
Your physical therapist may utilize massage methods to help you relax and loosen stiff muscles. It can be done with foam rollers or with a handheld massage gun. Your therapist can show you how to self-massage effectively and safely.
For Neck Pain
Your physical therapist may use cervical traction in the practice for counseling appropriate neck pain. Did you know that there are portable traction devices for your use? Choices may include the Saunders Home Traction device. The less costly option would be Neck Hammock, a piece of massage equipment that retails for under $50.
If you don't make sure your neck is correctly supported while you sleep, you can use a cervical roll on your pillow. This inexpensive (around $20) foam roll slides into your pillowcase and supports your neck while you sleep.
For Hip and Knee Pain
If your physical therapist evaluates you for hip or knee pain, she will likely prescribe exercises to strengthen muscle strength in those joints. The exercises may include:
- Single leg bridges
- Straight leg raises
- Lateral band walking
- Ball squats
You will need resistance bands to challenge your muscle groups in your lower extremities. Many times, balance exercises are performed in the physical therapy office, and these may be mimicked at home. You can use a balance board to perform advanced balance exercises for your hip or knee pain.
Is It Time To Visit The Physical Therapist?
The ideal time to see a physical trainer is if you experience pain or have just had surgery, have been injured, or are suffering from a loss of functional mobility. If you are having difficulty completing your normal tasks and pastimes, then working with a physical trainer is a good idea.
The physical rehabilitation procedures you can try at home are a good choice for a lot of reasons, but nothing can match the knowledge, experience, and desire that an experienced physical therapist provides.
Therapy is often an issue in terms of its cost, so mention it to your therapist if you have reservations. The therapist can find the proper things for you to do at home and help you select the right physical therapy supplies to keep your ongoing self-care program going.
Get used to working in your home and regularly checking in with your therapist to continue improving and ensure you are on track for a full recovery.
Summary
Home rehabilitation equipment can be a helpful tool if you have had an injury and are trying to recover some of your capabilities. A variety of devices are available for different kinds of injuries and costs.
Other low-cost options include resistance bands, stretching straps, lumbar rolls, and kinesiology tape. More expensive options include cervical traction and commercial-level tools. Your therapist can recommend which home equipment will be most helpful to you. You can visit Pro Therapy Supplies for your equipment needs or call 770-441-9808 for assistance.
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