Physical therapy tools are essential for any modern PT practice assisting patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. Having the right physical therapy equipment on hand can help PTs offer the most effective care for their patients. In this article, we'll explore more of these advantages and share the top seven physical therapy tools your practice should invest in for 2023.
Physical therapist tools offer several benefits that complement traditional PT techniques and help patients achieve a faster recovery. Here are some of the key benefits of incorporating physical therapy tools:
Physical therapy tools in 2023 allow patients to participate in PT exercise at home, where many patients expect to do much of their healing. In fact, you may have noticed that many patients want to do their check-ins over telehealth calls and online platforms whenever possible. Each of the tools below is portable and easily adapted for various applications. Show your patients how to use them in the office, then check in with them through your platform of choice for subsequent visits.
Resistance bands are thick latex loops that are used in strength training and to increase flexibility. These resistance bands come in eight different colors corresponding to eight different resistance levels so that you can choose the color (and resistance level) corresponding to the patient's needs. This helps ensure they're suitable for patients with any fitness level. Bands are available for sale for approximately $5 each.
Foam rollers can be used for many purposes but are commonly used to target tense and overworked muscles. Patients can use foam rollers for self-massage by laying their bodies on the roller at various pressure points.
Foam rollers come in various sizes and shapes, with the most common rollers being about 36 inches long and 6 inches in diameter. They cost between $10 and $20, with half rollers also available. Smaller travel foam rollers are available for people who travel.
Kinesiology tape is similar to athletic tape, but it's explicitly designed to support muscles and joints and to encourage proper movement. Kinesiology tape is only applied after an evaluation and is applied to specific areas based on that evaluation.
It helps balance muscles, tendons, joints, and skin. It supports proper circulation and is believed to reduce pain and swelling. Kinesiology tape comes in different brands, sizes, and shapes to keep a selection on hand for various patient needs. Kinesiology tape costs approximately $6 per roll.
Massage balls are physical therapy deep tissue massage tools that function in a way that is similar to foam rollers. Patients can use these tools by rolling their bodies on the balls, similar to how you use foam rollers.
Physical therapy balls are good for reaching hard-to-reach areas on the body and knots in the muscles. Physical therapy balls can also be used to improve circulation and relieve tension. Physical therapy massage balls come in many sizes, are made by many companies, and often cost about $6 each, although there's a range.
Balance boards are weight-bearing boards that are meant for exercises that are to be completed on unstable surfaces. Balance boards can be used to rehabilitate and strengthen many body parts, including the ankles and upper body. Balance boards also help build coordination, strengthen leg muscles, and improve posture. Many companies make balance boards which come in many shapes and sizes. A typical balance board will cost about $20 or $30.
Weight bars are used for physical therapy, strength development, and training. They can also be used for recovery after an accident. Weight bars usually come with color codes on them, and each color corresponds to a different weight. A set of weight bars often costs a few hundred dollars, although the cost depends on the size and quality of the set.
These physical therapy tools for the wrist and hands can help strengthen the muscles in the hands and increase agility. Physical therapy tools for hands, therapy balls, and putty can be used in various ways depending on the patient's injuries or therapy needs.
Hand therapy balls and putty usually come in a color coating that corresponds to the strength of the putty so that you can choose the right type of putty for the patient. Hand therapy balls & putty are usually sold in sets, with one ball costing around $2. Like other items, these products are sold by many companies, so there is a wide range of how these products are packaged and sold and the individual characteristics of each.
Physical therapy tools are vital for any modern PT practice. In this article, we've covered seven of the staple items you can incorporate into your patients' recovery plans to help them achieve a full recovery. If you're looking for more ways to deliver quality care and improve your patients' outcomes, consider adding further value to your patient experience by incorporating physical therapy practice management software.
Try a free demo of MWTherapy's all-in-one software today to see how you can streamline your day-to-day operations, from patient scheduling and intake to patient documentation and communication.
