RANGE OF MOTIONEQUIPMENT AND SOFTWAREFOR PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

By Steve Brooks

WHY RANGE OF MOTION Decreased range of motion:

Very common side-effect injuries/surgeries. One of the biggest reasons for injuries. When improved decreases chance of injury.

WHY ELSE? Associated with other problems:

Increased chance of cardiovascular disease Decreased circulation

Most don’t do it correctly. Cannot do the stretch correctly without

equipment.

THE BASICS Moist Heat Packs Mats/Yoga Blocks Foam Rollers Thera-bands Stretch Straps

MOIST HEAT PACK Cost:

Heat packs: $10-$20 Hydrocollator: $549

Use: Warms up muscles and tendons Moist heat penetrates better

than traditional Multi-task Equipment

Can be used hundreds of times

Where to buy: source1medical

MATS AND YOGA BLOCKS Cost:

Mat: $295 Blocks: $3-$15

Use: Comfort Improved stretching

Where to buy: Mat – flaghouse.com Blocks - amazon

FOAM ROLLERS Cost: $10-$40

Use: Allow for precise and

improved stretching/stability

Where to buy: OPTP.com

THERABANDS Cost:

$15/each $145 combo pack

Use: For improved

stretching/strengthening

Where to buy: optp.com

STRETCH STRAPS Cost: $18

Use: Gradual stretching of

major muscle groups Greater safety and

effectiveness

Where to buy: Optp.com

THE IN-DEPTH Needs proper supervision

Electric Stimulation Ultrasound Prostretch and Wobble Board Anterior/Posterior Stretchers Stretch Trainer Home exercise programmer

ELECTRIC STIMULATION Cost: $80-$250

Use: Muscle stimulator Stretches/strengthens

muscles that are hard to reach.

Multitask equipment

Where to buy: lgmedsupply.com

ULTRASOUND Cost: $200-$2000

Use: Deep muscle

penetration Scar tissue penetration

Where to buy: Lgmedsupply.com

PROSTRETCH Cost: $20-$60

Use: Increase flexibility in

the: Ankle and plantar fascia Achilles tendon and

calves Multi-task Equipment

Where to buy: optp.com

WOBBLE BOARD Cost: $40

Use: Improves

proprioception and balance

Increases range of motion

Strengthens lower kinetic chain

Where to buy: optp.com

ANTERIOR/POSTERIOR STRETCHERS Cost: $3,000

Use: Maintains proper

form while receiving an extended stretch

Multi-task Equipment

Where to buy: technogym.com

STRETCH TRAINER Cost: $700

Use: Improves ROM while

maintaining form Multi-task Equipment

Where to buy: fitnessforhomeonline.co

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SOFTWARE – HOME EXERCISE PROGRAM

Cost: $99.95 for core program Additional kits: $80-$150

Computer program that creates home exercise programs Detailed visuals and text walkthroughs Hundreds to thousands of exercises Fully customizable

Where to buy: www.vhikits.com