Rehabilitation and therapy equipment is normally used in physiotherapy practices and rehabilitation centers. A physiotherapist performs tests and measurements like manual muscle diagnosis, motoric and sensory or electronic tests as well as measurements of the joint movements. The treating physiotherapist doesn’t decide on the treatments that will be executed. This decision is made by an orthopedist or neurologist. Physiotherapy practices are also called remedial gymnastics. The practices contain rehabilitation equipment like ballkissen, balls, exercise bands and much more. Furthermore they often provide professional equipment like rehabilitation centers that use medical training equipment.
Rehabilitation and therapy equipment is used for the treatment of the patients. There are many different diagnosis and measuring systems which allow to measure several movement data to decide on an effective kind of treatment.
Kinds of treatment:
• Electronic muscle stimulation (EMS training): this kind of training is especially popular because it also supports muscle growth.
• Electro therapy: uses current which flows through some parts of the body as direct or alternating current.
• Hydrotherapy: uses water to stimulate certain parts of the body. Equipment for hydrotherapy uses the temperature impulse like ice or cold water.
Besides this methods, there is also medical training equipment like leg presses used as part of the treatment.
Not every training machine is like the other
There are three different categories of rehabilitation equipment: machines that are made for beginners and are suitable for home use, semiprofessional and professional training machines. These are machines that can be found for example in a gym. Among them are cardio equipment, strength training equipment, equipment parks and rehabilitation and therapy equipment. A well-equipped gym should offer all three kinds of training possibilities. Besides some exceptions like for example leg presses, rehabilitation equipment will only be found in special gyms.
Rehabilitation and therapy equipment: the leg press
The leg press is a strength training equipment for medical training, but will normally be used for physiotherapy and strength training as well. Of course this training machines train also other parts of the body like glute, thighs and calves. A special tip for training on rehabilitation equipment is to use several varieties of exercises. When changing the posture of the feet, the strain on the leg musculature changes, too. Therefore training on rehabilitation and therapy equipment can be a good alternative for doing squats and is very suitable for people with back problems. Another advantage is that exercises can be done with very heavy weights.
The leg press is used in practices especially for treating patients with knee injuries like meniscus, cruciate ligament, cartilage lesion etc. But also persons with problems with the intervertebral discs can benefit from this rehabilitation and therapy equipment, because the training is very pleasant and relieving. Nevertheless, the decision on a suitable therapy and exercises is made by the physician and physiotherapist.
Further rehabilitation and therapy equipment
Loop therapy: training is done using a loop which is winded around the calf. This method trains back, abdominal and glute musculature.
Thermotherapy: there are the heat and cryotherapy as well as ultrasonic therapy. Heat therapy uses local heat treatments like fango, infrared cabins or heat baths. Cryotherapy is used to ease pain or support detumescence.
View the rehabilitation and therapy equipment on fitnessmarkt.com.
Image-source: #113269064 zinkevych AdobeStock
Published on: 12 February 2015