Having the right equipment is essential to helping patients recover from an injury or surgery. Whether you’re looking to restock the fundamentals or to expand your inventory at your occupational therapy clinic, here are the top 10 rehabilitation products to have available in your clinic.
Key Takeaways
- Using the following tools can improve strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
- Having the right equipment in your clinic is important in providing quality care for your patients.
- Make sure you have the basics covered with this list of recommended products.
Top Products in This Article
Table of Contents
1. THERABAND® Professional Non-Latex Resistance Band
2. THERABAND® Pro Series SCP Exercise Balls
3. THERABAND® Rocker and Wobble Boards
4. Tumble Forms 2 Scooter
5. THERABAND® FlexBar®
6. Rolyan Semi-Circular Peg Board
7. Tumble Forms 2 Deluxe Vestibulator II System
8. Tumble Forms 2 Balance Beam
9. Valu-Form Rolls and Wedges
10. Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer
Recap
1. THERABAND® Professional Non-Latex Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are one of the most versatile tools you can have as an occupational therapist. They exert both positive and negative force on muscles and joints to help stretch, tone, and condition all major muscle groups. Resistance bands are a great alternative to lifting weights1 and can help improve range of motion and flexibility in patients.
THERABAND resistance bands come in seven different color-coded resistance levels, ranging from super light to elite. With the dispenser packs, you can cut each band to the correct length for an individual patient’s needs, and the non-latex option is a great alternative for patients with latex sensitivities. Plus, the bands are easy to store and transport for on-the-go care.
2. THERABAND® Pro Series SCP Exercise Balls
Another simple but versatile tool for your facility is an exercise ball, which can be used for core strengthening, increasing flexibility, and maintaining balance and posture. Exercise balls are great for recovery from lower body injuries or surgery, since many exercise ball drills target muscles in the legs and lower back.
THERABAND offers a great option for exercise balls, with five different sizes to accommodate different patient heights. THERABAND exercise balls are strong and durable, with a PVC polymer construction that is pliable, anti-burst, and safe for any exercise lying down, sitting, and/or kneeling.
3. THERABAND® Rocker and Wobble Boards
Rocker and wobble boards are great tools that provide an unstable surface to strengthen the core, legs, and upper body to improve balance and coordination. Rocker boards have a single, controlled plane of motion, while wobble boards provide 360o of instability. Both can also help improve sensory perception, response, and overall posture control.
Compared to traditional wooden rocker and wobble boards, THERABAND has lightweight boards made with durable, black molded plastic. They’re easier to move and store, and the molded plastic holds weight efficiently while in use. THERABAND rocker and wobble boards also have a specially designed tactile surface on the top and an anti-skid surface on the bottom to keep patients safe while using the boards.
4. Tumble Forms 2 Scooter
The Tumble Forms 2 Scooter is a great tool for helping develop neuromotor control in children, ideal for vestibular and proprioceptive input to increase balance, body awareness, and coordination. This padded scooter board has two handles for children to hold onto as they propel themselves in different directions. It has a 100 lb. weight capacity and has a washable, waterproof cover.
5. THERABAND® FlexBar®
The THERABAND FlexBar is a twist bar designed for stretching the upper extremities to help reduce muscle soreness and joint pain. It is often used for forearm and grip strengthening exercises, having been clinically proven to increase the strength of tendons by 72% for tennis elbow patients. Like most THERABAND products, the FlexBar comes in multiple resistance levels, ranging from extra light to heavy resistance. It also features a ridged surface for easy grip made from dry natural rubber for long term use.
6. Rolyan Semi-Circular Peg Board
Peg boards are great multi-functional tools that can help improve coordination, strength, endurance, flexibility, and gross and fine motor skills. Patients pick up the different sized pegs and place them in the designated holds on the peg board, exercising the fingers, hand, arm, and shoulder.
The Rolyan Semi-Circular Peg Board is a three tired peg board that holds 43 pegs of three different diameters and of two different lengths. It has a center storage compartment with a tightly closed cover to hold all the pegs when not in use and is easily transported for home therapy.
7. Tumble Forms 2 Deluxe Vestibulator II System
Designed to improve balance and coordination in children, the Tumble Forms 2 Deluxe Vestibular II System incorporates a 360° vertical rotation system for a smooth, unrestricted range of motion. This system is ideal for vestibular, neurodevelopmental, and sensory integration therapy.
Its metal frame has a working load of 330 lbs., and the mechanism can be fixed in a stable position or set for swinging. The system comes with multiple accessories such as a Flexidisk, roll swing, prone net swing, and more, that can be bought separately or as part of the system. All accessories are lightweight and easy to maneuver.
8. Tumble Forms 2 Balance Beam
Balance beams are a great way to help patients improve their balance while simultaneously working on motor skills, coordination, and core strength. The Tumble Forms 2 Balance Beam is reversible, with one side measuring six inches wide and the other measuring three inches wide for progressing to more challenging beam exercises. It has a slip-resistant surface for extra safety while in use and can support up to 200 lbs.
9. Valu-Form Rolls and Wedges
Foam rolls and wedges are essential for your clinic. They’re versatile tools that provide extra support during exercise and assist with posture, balance, ranging, strengthening, and coordination activities. Valu-Form has great cost-effective rolls and wedges that are covered with antimicrobial protection to prevent the buildup of bacteria and germs.
The Valu-Form Rolls are adaptive shapes with a solid core and can allow rolling or rocking movements, but they can also be used for managing pressure in the lower extremities, preventing hyperextension in the knees, and massaging muscles. The Valu-Form Wedges can assist with gross motor activities like rolling, tumbling, or walking up or downhill. They can also assist in trunk stabilization or to help prevent pressure injuries.
10. Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer
When it comes to measuring grip strength, a quality dynamometer is an important tool to have on hand. The Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer comes calibrated and features a dual-scale readout that can display isometric grip force from 0 - 200 pounds. With five adjustable grip positions and easily adjustable handle, this hand dynamometer is a staple for any occupational therapy clinic.
Recap
Having the right equipment for your clinic is an important part of providing quality care to your patients on their road to recovery. With these recommended products, you can keep your patients progressing through their rehabilitation.
All Products in This Article
References
- Page, Phil. TheraBand resistance or dumbbells? New research supports both in the clinic. Performance Health Academy. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3Cd5VtS.
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