How Do I Choose Proper Rehab Equipment?

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Introduction     |    Factors     |    Upper Body Exercises     |    Lower Body Exercises

After an injury, surgery, or for overall good health choosing the proper equipment is an important step for rehab or exercise. Each injury or activity has a specific need to target a specific muscle or group of muscles. By using the proper equipment, we can rehab safer and more effective than without. We all know the saying “the right tool for the right job,” that has never been more appropriate than with rehab equipment. Sometimes immediately after surgery we will need equipment that aids us with our range of motion and strengthening, whereas later in the rehabilitation process the addition of resistance or additional weight can help strengthen injured areas or muscles. Of course, your physician or therapist should be consulted before beginning or modifying any rehabilitation program.

What Factors Should I Consider?

If we are going to choose the right tool for the right job, we obviously need to know what that job is. While some equipment can be used for multiple purposes, it’s important to know which ones are the most effective for your rehabilitation. A consultation with a physical therapist is probably the best way to determine what piece of equipment would benefit you the most.

  • Elastic bands can be used to add resistance to the upper and lower body.
  • Ankle weights can double as additional weight on your wrists to strengthen arms and shoulders. Also, higher resistances or more weight may not be appropriate for the beginning of a rehab program. It’s always smarter (and safer) to start lower and gradually increase resistance/weight.
  • Sometimes an innovative approach can adapt one piece of equipment to multiple body parts, but the most important piece of information we can have is what our injuries are and the proper exercises we need to do to help ourselves heal.

 How Do I Choose Proper Rehab Equipment?

Upper Body Exercises

If you are recovering from an injury to your upper body, there are numerous options to choose from. Common upper body injuries include shoulder surgeries, torn or strained bicep/tricep injuries, or even sprains to the wrist or other joints. A great way to rehab/exercise shoulder injuries are the use of elastic bands and pulley systems. These are simple and convenient and can be used in the house or at a rehab center.

Top Five Upper Body Exercise Aids

1. Thera–Band Shoulder Pulley System

TheraBand Shoulder Pulley is an essential tool for people undergoing shoulder rehabilitation in regaining and maintaining range of motion. The adjustable rope length offers custom fit and versatility, and the soft foam handles provide superior comfort during use. It is specifically designed to assist patients undergoing shoulder rehab in regaining and maintaining range of motion.

Features of TheraBand Shoulder Pulley

  • Helps regain and maintain range of motion
  • Features a unique rope that is divided into sections
  • Provides immediate feedback on progress
  • Anchors to the top of a door or at any point along a standard door jamb for ease of overhead use
  • Sturdy door anchor is compatible with any standard door jamb

2. AquaJogger X-Cuffs Water Resistance Ankle and Wrist Cuffs

AquaJogger X-Cuffs Water Resistance Ankle and Wrist Cuffs are resistive, exercise cuffs for ankles and arms. These are used to increase cardiovascular workouts, tone, and to strengthen muscles. Cuffs are made of soft, durable, chlorine resistant EVA foam and can be used in deep and shallow water. They add intensity to exercises by increasing surface area and buoyancy.

3. AquaJogger DeltaBells Water Resistance Hand Buoys

AquaJogger DeltaBells Water Resistance Hand Buoys tone, strengthen, and support the upper body. Its triangular design adjusts resistance with the turn of a wrist. It features premium EVA foam with comfortable, soft padded grip while the closed-cell foam dries quickly and will not roll away at poolside.

Features of AquaJogger DeltaBells Hand Buoys

  • Made with soft buoyant foam and comfortable padded grips
  • Add stability, intensity, and diversity to your deep or shallow water workout
  • To maximize resistance push the flat sides through the water. To minimize resistance push the pointed ends of the triangle into the exercise movement
  • Simply rest it on the water’s surface while the user target abdominal and lower body movements

4. Ultimate Hand Helper Hand Exerciser

Ultimate Hand Helper Hand Exerciser is designed to be comfortable, effective and versatile. It helps improve grip strength and rage of motion while facilitating tendon glide. It can be used in several positions to create various exercises. Each type of exercise effects different results. Depending on a patient’s needs, a customized routine can be developed to rehabilitate or exercise the specific muscles, tendons, and motions user need to work on.

Features of Ultimate Hand Exerciser

  • Ergonomic design and contoured, padded handle conforms to the curvature of the hand for superior comfort while exercising
  • Sturdy frame allows for the use of color-coded, latex-free elastic bands to customize the amount of resistance, accurately evaluate a patients progress, and give positive reinforcement
  • Range limiting clips adjust fit for various hand sizes and limits range-of-motion for controlled exercise
  • Each unit includes 10 yellow (light), 10 red (medium) and 10 blue (heavy) latex-free elastic bands and four range-limiting clips

5. Sammons Preston Therapy Putty - Soft

Sammons Preston Soft Therapy Putty can be squeezed, stretched, twisted or pinched to meet a wide range of strengthening needs or used to encourage heel strike and strengthen foot muscles. It leaves no residue and will not fragment, separate, stain or stick to skin. Bleed proof and non-oily formula helps keep the skin clean without sticking to the skin.

Features of Sammons Preston Therapy Putty

  • For pinching, gripping, and twisting exercises
  • Personal or professional use
  • Latex-free and non-toxic
  • Color: Yellow
  • Non-oily

Lower Body Exercises

After an injury to our lower body, choosing the right equipment is the first step in the right direction. Whether the injury is to the hip, knee, or ankle/foot many pieces of equipment can be adapted to facilitate our healing. Since our lower body is a key component to our mobility, it is important to maintain our range of motion and strength in that area. Along with mobility, our lower body is the core of our stability and keeping this area strong reduces the risk of injuries from falls.

Top Five Lower Body Exercise Aids

1. Aeromat Ajustable Fit Ball Chair

Aeromat Ajustable Fit Ball Chair has height-adjustable seat back that can move forward or backward. The seat back is designed to support the users body weight like a regular office chair. This ball chair is structured with a leg that has four easy roll wheels, out of which two are lockable.

Features of Aeromat Fit Ball Chair

  • Aeromat Ajustable Fit Ball Chair includes:
    • Ball
    • Hand pump
  • Seat back adjusts between 32" - 34" in height
  • Assembly required
  • Color : Black
  • Weight: 15lb
  • Weight limit: 300lb

2. Airex Balance Pad

Airex Balance Pad is ideal for starting out with barefoot balance training. Due to the yielding foam, the body is constantly challenged in order to maintain balance and stabilize the joints. Training with the balance pad can purposefully improve conditional and coordinative abilities in combination, for example, strength, endurance, differentiation, and balance.

Features of Airex Balance Pad

  • Thickness of 6 cm gives it the desired destabilising characteristics
  • Not entirely slip-resistant on smooth floors because of the comfortable, smooth surface
  • Applies to balance training, coordination and reaction training, posture stability training, conditioning, and motor skill training.
  • Balance Pad gently compresses as the user stand on it

3. Aeromat Ecowise Pilates Ball

Aeromat Ecowise Pilates Ball is great for adding challenge and variety to exercises for muscle sculpting and recovery. It is used behind the rib cage for abdominal curls, between the ankles for teaser, under the ribs for side stretch, and more. It has tacky and lightly textured surface which reduces slippage.

Features of Aeromat Ecowise Pilates Ball

  • Made with anti-burst phthalates-free PVC and natural color dye
  • Inflates with straw to approximately 9", adjust the inflation level as desired

4. All Pro Adjustable Thighaciser Thigh Weights

All Pro Adjustable Thighaciser Thigh Weights has contour-foam cushioned fit which provides padding against thigh, quadriceps and hamstring. Conforms to contour of thighs and upper legs. To be worn against skin, neoprene prevents slipping and provides smooth friction free comfort. Cushioned flaps protects thighs and keeps weights secure. Exclusive design places weights away from thighs and permits full freedom of movement.

Features of All Pro Thigh Weights

  • Weights can be added or removed as required for progressive resistive exercise
  • Pull neoprene band for easy adjustments
  • Instruction sheet included
  • Maximum weight included

5. Ankle Isolator Foot Exerciser

Ankle Isolator Foot Exerciser allows clinicians to customize proprioceptive exercises, open-chain exercises and stretching by targeting specific muscles in the lower leg. The patented foot plate has a biomechanically engineered isolation channel that allows clinicians to place the adjustable weight column in just the right position for each exercise.

Features of Ankle Isolator Foot Exerciser

  • Ankle Isolator Foot Exerciser can be adjusted in half-pound increments
  • Quick-reference slide rule helps clinicians customize client protocols
  • Ankle Isolator Case is durable, hard-sided case that allows portability and storage

When purchasing rehab/exercise equipment, common sense should be our number one consideration. Make sure you consult your doctor or physical therapist to tailor a program that you can follow at home and is appropriate for your level of injury. Be creative and have fun so that this equipment doesn’t end up collecting dust or just holding up laundry. The equipment is only as effective as the person using it.

Where to Buy Rehab And Fitness Aids Online?

At Rehab Store, we strive to offer the best and the most amazing of rehab and fitness aids for everyone at affordable prices and with great offers and discounts.

 

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