Rehabmart is proud to commemorate October as National Physical Therapy Month (NPTM). Designed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to “recognize the impact that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants make in restoring and improving motion in people's lives”, NPTM is an opportunity for physical therapists to reach out to and educate consumers about the unique benefits of treatment that they offer, as well as being a perfectly timed opportunity for the public to become more aware of how physical therapy can help them with a variety of age, disease/disability or accident related mobility issues.

As one of the biggest segments of the American population that can benefit from physical therapy, 78 million Baby Boomers are helping to redefine aging by becoming more interested about how to stay fit after 50 than any generation preceding them. While we all tend to lose flexibility, balance and strength as we get older, working with a physical therapist can more specifically help us address these challenges, optimizing movement and assisting us in achieving and maintaining our individual fitness goals, while at the same time helping us in minimizing our risk of injury.

Physical Therapists are experts in restoring and improving motion in people's lives, often achieving results without expensive surgeries or prescription medications. They can help individuals to reduce and manage pain, including low back pain which is known to affect 80% of the American population at some point during their lifetime. Even the American Heart Association advises anyone at risk of heart disease to seek out the services of a physical therapist for initial treatment of pain resulting from degenerative joint problems like osteoarthritis, inflammatory joint problems like rheumatoid arthritis, or conditions such as tendinitis and bursitis instead of taking prescription pain medications for these issues.

Rehabmart, founded by occupational therapists and a physical therapist, is proud to offer a wide range of products specifically designed for use by physical therapists with their patients. The following products are just a small sampling of the numerous and diverse product lines they carry for physical therapists and physical therapy.

   

With a pneumatically assisted seat that allows patients to perform sit-to-stand motion exercises, the STS Sit to Stand Exerciser can be especially helpful after knee or hip surgery, or neuromuscular surgery, to rehab and regain lower body muscle strength and endurance. Completely adjustable to perfectly fit almost every patient, its compact size and easy transportability make the STS well suited for hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and mobile therapy practices. Its adjustable assistance lets the therapist establish a baseline and document patient progress while setting objective and measurable goals for each patient.

   

Highly recommended for patients who may need the extra buoyancy of water to support themselves, the Aquatic Therapy Body Trainer is simply, but securely attached to the side of a pool to give these patients a place to perform various strength-building and range of motion exercises in water. Highlighting versatility, this aquatic trainer can be employed to strengthen the spine, arms, legs and hips.

   

Constructed from natural-finish hardwood and featuring a work surface padded with tan vinyl, the Quadriceps Board can be used on a table, mat or bed to help strengthen a patient's quadriceps muscles. Measuring 28 inches by 5 inches by 3 to 7 inches, the Quadriceps Board has the ability to be adjusted to ten different positions for varying patient requirements. It only weighs 7 pounds and can be folded into a flat position when it is not in use.

   

Measuring eye-hand coordination, speed and dexterity, the well-known Minnesota Testing Kit features the Minnesota rate of manipulation test along with two peg boards to complete. This kit additionally includes five sub-tests: placing, turning, displacing, one-hand turning, two-hand turning and placing. An instruction manual, 60 blocks and a carrying case all come standard with this kit as well.

   

Allowing therapists to design their own weighted programs to help increase strength and to improve range of motion with their patients, the Figure 8 Resistance Therapy System specifically helps patients with scapula, shoulder and forearm injuries. The complete system includes a figure 8-patterned, vinyl-covered board, an upper/lower extremity skate and a resistance system hooking to the skate at four different points. The board features a metal rim on three of its sides, and the removable, universal hand piece (can be used for either left or right hand) on the skate cradles the forearm, positioning the hand for elbow and shoulder range of motion exercises. The resistance system includes a pulley with ropes, nine 8 ounce weights, and an adapted C-clamp. Therapists can choose the complete system, or individual pieces depending on their patients' specific needs.

Celebrate National Physical Therapy Month this October! If you're a therapist, use this time to create more awareness of the invaluable therapy you offer to the public, and take advantage of the great selection and savings on tools for your trade from Rehabmart. If you are a potential patient, learn more about the wide world of physical therapy and how this could benefit you. Research has proven that individuals who receive active physical therapy experience greater improvement in function along with decreased pain intensity than individuals who receive surgery and pain medications. As APTA states, “no matter what part of your body hurts, a physical therapist can help you alleviate or manage pain without costly medications or other invasive methods, in many cases”.

   

Carol Koenigsknecht,
Medical Consumer Editor,
Content & Social Media Services
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO