When it comes to therapeutic equipment, therapy balls are hard to beat for versatility, allowing clients to practice both fine and gross motor skills, develop better balance, provide support for some exercises, and aid in strength training whether he or she is dealing with a chronic or acute issue such as recovering after an injury or surgery. Here are a few great choices offered by Rehabmart.

   From library.rehabmart.com
 
 
 The Cando Cushy Air Ball is easy to grasp, allowing patients to perform exercises to increase strength and flexibility in their hands. The Cushy Air Ball comes in either 25 or 45 centimeter sizes in packages of six and offer fun choices of red, yellow, green, or black. An inflation straw is included.

 
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To help strengthen the trunk both as a part of rehabilitation and sports conditioning, the Premium Handle Med Ball comes in weights of 3.3, 4.4, 6.6, or 8.8 pounds and in an eye-pleasing assortment of red, blue, yellow, or green. It features a handle to make gripping and grasping easier. The Med Ball is suitable for use in rotational drills and exercises involving throwing.

 
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Whether it's being used in drills in limited spaces, or plyometric and chasing exercises, the Exertools Exball XL Medicine Balls can provide up to 20 pounds of resistance. Each of the balls is twelve inches in diameter, allowing a therapist or trainer to increase or decrease the weight needed during an exercise without having to change positioning or patterning. Its blue and black shell is made from durable PVC fabric held in place with sturdy polyester laces.

 
 
   From library.rehabmart.com
For a variation on the therapy ball theme, the Physio-Roll is shaped like an in-shell peanut to enhance stability. It only rolls forward and backwards, making it perfect for activities to enhance equilibrium reaction, postural adjustment therapy, extension, and flexion.  It's made from sturdy vinyl and molded with just one seam, making it well suited for aquatic therapy, ease in cleaning and disinfection, and able to support a wide variety of clients. The Physio-Roll may be used with or without a blanket to enhance tactile stimulation. It comes in sizes ranging from twelve to thirty-three inches and a choice of blue, red, and yellow.

   From library.rehabmart.com
 
 
The Swiss Ball Chair can be used as both an office chair that promotes good posture or as a device to enhance core strengthening, back exercises, and weight training. Two arms on the cradle hold the ball still, preventing it from rolling during use. The four locking wheels on the lightweight base allow it to be moved easily.  It supports up to 250 pounds. A 50-centimeter ball made from an anti-burst material is included.

In addition to physical therapy clinics, therapy balls may be used by personal trainers or in health clubs and private homes as a part of a supervised therapy or physical fitness program.


Fran Jablway,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO