Physio Equipment and their uses

Physiotherapy involves treatment of diseases, disabilities, and disorders applying various treatment options, including the use of many different types of equipment. While some equipment is used in a clinic as part of treatment other equipment is used in the home to assist in completing daily tasks easily and painlessly, or to assist caregivers.

Others may be used for fitness and returning physical function, or for pain relief. After assessing a patient, a physiotherapist will make recommendations for what equipment to use with a patient in the clinic, as well as what equipment the patient might need outside of the clinic or in their home.

Different Types Types of equipment a Physiotherapist Might Recommend for You

Mobility: If you find yourself holding onto walls or “furniture-walking” from time to time, or you find that your balance seems to be affected when you are distracted, looking around or the room isn’t well-lit, you may be at risk for falls. To decrease this risk it is important to use an assistive device such as a walker or a cane to get around the house safely.

There are also a variety of wheelchairs, lifts and other mobility aids for people who are bed-bound or chair-bound. These devices not only help with mobility but also assist caregivers in being able to safely and efficiently care for their charges.

Home Independence and Comfort: There are a variety of devices called adaptive equipment that can make life easier and safer for people with any disability. For example with many older people, gripping becomes difficult. These people can purchase gripper device that easily attach on various objects like cutlery and toothbrushes so that they are able to feed and groom themselves without the need for assistance.

Your physiotherapist can also help you make your home wheelchair-friendly. If you or a family member are wheelchair bound your home can be fitted with ramps or a chair lift to make your home accessible at all levels.

Toilet and Bath Aids: There are many fall risks and challenges in the bathroom for someone with weakness, balance challenges or loss of mobility. For many elderly people, having a properly equipped bathroom is crucial for their safety and wellbeing.

It may be necessary to have a chair for the shower or a bench in the tub. Or sometimes it is helpful to have grab bars next to the toilet or an elevated toilet seat if sitting on a low seat is challenging.

Orthopedic and Sports Care: There are many different types of equipment and supplies that can enhance your sports performance or just improve your physical functioning if you are limited by orthopedic problems like arthritis or recovering from a surgery. Wearing a knee brace for example can help make activities (like sports or just walking) pain-free and reduce your risk of injury.

If you get low back pain while sitting in your office chair all day you may need a lumbar support for your seat to improve your posture, or you may just want to change up your home fitness routine with small equipment like a foam roller.