10 Innovative Rehabilitation Technologies To Look For Now
Rehabilitation technologies are often used to improve function after injury or illness. Using cutting edge technology and programs for spinal cord injury rehabilitation has moved many physical therapy rehabilitation centers to the front of their field.
Though there are many different and effective rehabilitative technologies, here are some of the most innovative rehabilitation technologies to look out for in physical therapy offices now.
Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill Training
Using air pressure for unweighting, we can give exact control of how much bodyweight a patient is using from 20% of their body weight to 100% of their body weight in 1% increments.
The IDEAL unweighting technology for spinal cord injury recovery, post-surgical recovery, and athlete training.
Apps and Computer Programs
Check your smartphone or tablet store, and you’ll find that there are tons of rehabilitative services that are cost-effective or free. Computer programs also provide patients with videos, virtual check-ins, progress monitoring, and evaluations.
Glidecycle
A groundbreaking training and recreation tool, the Elliptigo is an elliptical trainer on wheels that allows you to explore the outdoors and have a great time while training your legs in the gait pattern with minimal load or strain on your joints.
Millennial Medical Crutches
This technology is utilized by professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, and NHL. These crutches are available in axillary (underarm) or lofstrand (forearm) style.
They are one of a kind on the market in their design with an ergonomic grip to reduce stress on the wrist and hand, as well as a spring-loaded, shock-absorbing tip to reduce stress on the entire arm. These crutches are available for use during therapy or home trial at Touchstone Rehabilitation.
Robotics
The advances in robotics in the physical therapy world are impressive for how they can improve the therapy of those suffering injury and in recovery.
Rehabilitation robots assist physical therapists with patients to improve recoveries in neurological impairments, like those recovering from a stroke or a brain trauma. Robots can help with repetition and assist patients with ambulation and movement.
Standing Frame
Assistive technology can be used by a person who relies on a wheelchair for mobility. A standing frame provides alternative positioning to sitting in a wheelchair by supporting the person in the standing position. Standing is essential for bone density and blood flow.
Tilt Table
A safe initial progression to standing with full support of the body and slow elevation to standing. Excellent for early standing or those having challenges with maintaining necessary blood pressure during standing.
Video Gait Analysis
With a slow-motion, frame-by-frame breakdown of walking and wheelchair propulsion, we’re able to identify impairments and provide detailed clinical information to facilitate focused effective training.
Video Games & Virtual Reality
We like to make Rehab Fun! Challenge yourself as we incorporate the dynamic, never stopping, tons of fun Nintendo Wii into your balance, gait, strength, and coordination program. The possibilities are endless and lots of fun work.
X-Sensor Pressure Mapping
Provides Precise pressure mapping of wheelchair cushions to identify appropriate cushion to avoid or help heal pressure ulcers.
We’re excited about all the different technologies that are consistently being added to the physical therapy world to better improve mobility and the effectiveness of our patients’ training, and we hope you are, too!
If you are looking for occupational or physical therapy, vestibular rehab, wheelchair training, learning to walk, unweighting aquatic therapy, or other services in the Phoenix area, please call Touchstone Rehabilitation at 602-277-1073.