What to Know About Physical Therapy Products
Strength, flexibility, and range of motion can all be enhanced with physical therapy. Whether you are recovering from an injury or managing a chronic illness for your loved one, Carewell has a variety of equipment to accompany your road to recovery.
Some common products include:
- Exercise equipment such as resistance bands & weights
- Therapy balls
- Foam rollers
- Therapeutic massage tools
- Heat and ice packs
- Electric stimulation devices
- Splints and braces, walkers and canes
How to Choose Physical Therapy Products
Finding the right product for you or your loved one depends on each person’s unique needs. Often, a physical therapist (a “PT”) will instruct you to look for a particular product or product category. If you’re looking to build general strength, look for exercise and physical therapy equipment like bands, squeeze balls, or wellness trackers to monitor performance.
Caregivers and care recipients often look for features like:
Washability
Since physical therapy products are often used when you or a loved one is more active and sweaty, some of them can start to smell over time. Looking for washable products is a simple way to ensure you’re able to keep your loved one feeling and smelling fresh. Scent-resistant products are also a great option!
Soft, stretchy, or comfortable
Physical therapy is important but can feel uncomfortable at times. Look for products that feel soft and gentle to make the experience more comfortable.
Durablility and supportiveness
Search for products that will last a long time - more durable products prevent you from needing to buy additional products in the future.
FAQ's
What is physical therapy?
Physical Therapy is a treatment option that some people select to recover from an injury, while others use it to manage a chronic illness. Strength, flexibility, and range of motion can all be enhanced with physical therapy. In addition to improving your physical condition, physical therapy can also help boost your mood and sense of well-being. Dealing with a chronic health condition can be a challenge, but exercise and movement can help alleviate some of that stress and give you a sense of accomplishment.
What should I expect from a physical therapy appointment?
If you are planning to start physical therapy, there are a few things you will need in order to get the most out of your experience:
- Wear comfortable clothing that you can move around in easily.
- Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during your session.
- Listen to and follow your therapist's instructions.
During a physical therapy appointment, the physical therapist will assess the patient's condition and develop a treatment plan. The treatment plan may include exercises, stretches, and other therapies to help the patient improve their mobility and function.
Can I do physical therapy on my own?
A true physical therapist will assess your needs and create a tailored home exercise program just for you. That program may include exercises to improve strength, flexibility, range of motion, endurance, and balance.
That said, there are plenty of at-home preventative physical therapy exercises you can do to support your mobility and strength.
What does a physical therapist do?
A physical therapist is a healthcare professional who helps people with physical injuries or illnesses regain their strength and mobility. They work with patients to develop a treatment plan that will help them improve their range of motion, strength, and flexibility. This treatment plan may include exercises, stretches, massages, and other techniques. Recurring visits will likely occur in order to reach treatment goals. Physical Therapists may also recommend exercises and other activities to help the patient recover.
What products are used in physical therapy?
There are many products that can be used for physical therapy. Some common products include:
- Activity and Wellness Trackers: Trackers allow you to monitor your steps, calories, heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep stages, and more.
- Braces, Splints, and Supports: Ideal for compression, stabilization or immobilization as well as everyday comfort, braces and supports are a core piece of physical therapy.
- Exercise and Physical Therapy Equipment: Equipment like shoulder exercises, bands, squeeze balls, foam rollers, fitness balls are some of the best tools for preventative physical therapy and allow you to build strength, muscle and balance at home.
- Hot and Cold Therapy: Often used as therapy for chronic pain or soreness, hot and cold therapy products reduce stiffness, supports healthy blood flow, reduces swelling, and can reduce pain.
- Kinesiology and Athletic Tape: Super stretchy kinesiology tapes is used to reduce pain and improve circulation. It’s often used to treat injuries, support weaker muscles or joints (for those with achilles tendonitis, IT band friction syndrome, patellofemoral stress syndrome, etc), enhance athletic performance, and retrain muscles that may have lost function.
- Leg Cramp Medications: For those with nocturnal leg cramps, charley horses, or muscle spasms, over-the-counter medications can ease symptoms and discomfort.
- Recovery Wear: Recovery wear like compression supplies provide comfort and support for those rebuilding muscles or those that need orthopedic support post-surgery.
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