If you’ve been given a physical therapy routine to perform on your own between in-person sessions at the clinic, odds are you want these exercises to be as effective as possible. Doing the exercises correctly and as scheduled will go a long way in helping you recover, but there are a few items available that can help enhance the benefits of your physical therapy routine. We spotlight five of those items in today’s blog.
Five Products That Can Make Physical Therapy More Effective
While there is no magic pill that you can take to help you make a full recovery, there are a few products you can purchase that can help maximize the effectiveness of the work you put in during physical therapy. Here’s a look at five of them.
- Muscle Roller – A lightweight foam roller can be a great addition to certain physical therapy and recovery programs. Gentle foam rolling over certain areas of your body can help to relieve inflammation and muscle knots, and they also help to boost your circulation and expand your comfortable range of motion. They aren’t ideal for all types of injuries though, so talk with your physical therapist to see if a foam roller would be right for your situation.
- Ice Pack – Putting an ice pack on a specific area of your body will lead to the constriction of blood vessels in an area, which can help to limit fluid buildup and inflammation in a specific area of your body. If you’re dealing with swelling in your joints after your physical therapy session, placing a cold pack on the area for 10-15 minutes a couple times throughout the day can limit uncomfortable swelling.
- Heating Pad – A heating pad can also offer some benefits after a physical therapy routine. When placed on a specific area, the heat can help to expand blood vessels and increase circulation to a particular part of your body. If you’re dealing with muscle spasms or cramps that are being caused by dehydration or poor circulation, a heating pad may be just what you need to calm these aches after a PT session.
- Water Bottle – A standard accessory for all athletes, be sure to have a water bottle nearby before, during and after your physical therapy sessions. Staying hydrated will ensure that you have improved circulation, which will continue to bring healthy oxygenated blood to tissues that need it while you’re progressing through your physical therapy routine. Staying hydrated is such a simple thing that you can do to help your body handle the rigors of a physical therapy routine.
- Resistance Band – Similar to the muscle roller, the need for a resistance band will be dependent on what type of injury you’re working to overcome, but a resistance band is a staple of many physical therapy routines. That’s because it allows the individual to determine the level of resistance based on how they use the device, meaning that it can work for people in all walks of life and recovery. You’ll also be able to adjust your resistance band exercises to make it a little more difficult as you get stronger and more physically capable. For the right patient, it can be a great compliment to your PT routine.
For more information about any of these items, or to talk to a physical therapist about your recovery path after an injury or surgery, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.