An Object In Motion Tends To Stay In Motion: Rehab Equipment For Mobilization Of The Spine

Newtons' 1st law of motion is often stated as "An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force." Evidence shows that the same holds true for movement in the body. Joints in the body allow us to move freely and without pain unless there is an "unbalanced force", such as an injury or disease preventing us from doing so. And the longer we go without moving a part of the body, the harder it is to do so because our muscles get weak and our joints become stiff. When our muscles get weak and our joints get stiff - we will experience back pain.

Evidence based studies suggest that early joint mobilization results in the stimulation of chondrocyte generation, the repair of full thickness cartilage defects, and an improved periarticular vascularity. Similarly, movement also aids in the prevention of synovial adhesion formation, the maintenance in collagen mass and an improved stress-strain response.

The SpineSix was designed to promote early mobilization in the spine by mimicking normal spinal mechanics and physiological movements. This controlled and continuous motion allows patients to slowly increase joint mobility in the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine. Motion therapy has been shown to reduce pain, increase range of motion, decrease inflammation and swelling and promote motion preservation and restoration.

The goal of SpineSix therapy is to ameliorate back pain and neck pain, improve spinal range of motion, improve segmental instability and finally improve functional tolerance to daily activities. The published, evidence based treatment study "Treatment of Subacute Low Back Pain with a Novel Device for the Continuous Passive Motion of the Spine: A Report of Three Cases" suggests that the SpineSix accomplishes just that.
This Blog is maintained by MediCepts, Inc, manufacturer of the SpineSix.All content has been provided by employees of MediCepts, Inc.Want to learn more about effective rehabilitation equipment for back pain patients? Read more of our blog posts, and don't forget to bookmark us!

Choosing the Proper Physical Therapy Equipment for Your Back Pain Rehabilitation Center

With hundreds of pieces of physical therapy equipment in the market today, it's sometimes difficult to properly evaluate your choices and choose the most appropriate rehabilitation equipment for your rehab center.

Physical therapy is a growing field, and with the incidence of back pain affecting 80% of all Americans, it is expected to grow even higher. Many times physical therapy is the first course of treatment prescribed to the back pain sufferer, with the goal of decreased pain and increased function. Most therapists have found that a combination of manual therapies, like hot/cold and mechanically aided therapies, like TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) provide the best clinical outcomes. Larger, more condition specific pieces of rehab equipment are becoming mainstream and essential for both patient and practice success.

Certain factors play a key role in choosing the appropriate rehab equipment for your physical therapy center, including:

1. Patient population

2. Clinical outcomes

3. Adaptability of objectives to patient needs

4. Ease of use

5. Patient compliance

6. Evidence-based foundation for treatment method

7. Space requirements

8. Price

Before a capital equipment purchase is made, these factors need to be considered carefully. Asking yourself the tried and true questions of Who, What, When, Where, Why and How will help you make informed choices and lead to greater success.

Who will this equipment benefit? Is it effective for only a small group of patients or a broad population of patients?
What will your patients think of this new therapy? Will they enjoy the treatment or consider it painful and aggressive?

When will this equipment be effective in the patient's treatment program? Will the equipment advance it's objectives as the patient progresses?

Where will you put the piece of rehab equipment? Does it have a small footprint or will it take up a lot of your precious space?

Why does this equipment work? Is there evidence-based science behind this method of treatment?

How will the price of the equipment affect my bottom line? Is this a piece of equipment that offers a reimbursable modality?

If these six questions can be answered with positive statements, then the equipment is probably a wise investment. Alternately, if you find that the equipment would be effective for 1 out of 100 patients, takes up a large amount of room and is not reimbursable, it is probably not a wise investment.

There are pieces of rehabilitation equipment for back pain that meet all these criteria, and a little research now will be well worth it in the long run. Look at all your options and don't make hasty decisions based on slick marketing or nice salespeople. This is your physical therapy center, and the rehabilitation equipment you place in it will play heavily on the success of your patients and of your business.

This Blog is maintained by MediCepts, Inc, manufacturer of the SpineSic.All content has been provided by employees of MediCepts, Inc.
Want to learn more about effective rehabilitation equipment for back pain patients? Read more of our blog posts, and don't forget to bookmark us!

Physical Therapy for Back Pain | 1 Piece of Rehab Equipment Your Rehabilitation Center Must Have

Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to a doctor’s office, outnumbered only by the common cold. In fact, it is estimated that 8 of 10 Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. With the exploding growth of back pain statistics, effective treatments are being sought after by both medical professionals and patients alike.

According to a recent article in the Journal of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, physical therapy should be the first course of action for many spinal disorders. Most physical therapy programs for back pain will start with passive modalities, such as heat / ice, electrical stimulation, and spinal manipulation. As the patient progresses, the therapies involve more active participation and may include strengthening exercises and aerobic conditioning. Passive modalities are appropriate when the patient is in too much discomfort to participate in their own rehabilitation, and passive modalities, such as mobilization, have been shown to be very effective in the early stages of rehab for reducing pain. Physical therapists will increase the level of active participation as the patient can tolerate based on clinical judgment. Once the patient has successfully completed all phases of their physical therapy program, home exercises are taught and they are released from care.

Rehabilitation equipment is sometimes used to aid in administering therapeutic modalities, and many types of stretching and ROM devices have found their way into physical therapy centers. One piece of rehab equipment that is quickly becoming a must have in all Physical Therapy facilities in the SpineSix BioMotion Spinal System. To look at the SpineSix it looks like some sort of robotic recliner, but it is so much more.

Spine experts and engineers have worked for years to develop this highly specialized and effective spinal rehabilitation system. Guided by 8 computers, the SpineSix mobilizes the cervical and/or lumbar regions of the spine with 3-dimensional coupled movements and across multiple planes. This high technology pattern of motion was designed to mimic normal spinal mechanics and physiological movements. This controlled motion has been shown to effectively hasten the healing process by decreasing swelling and inflammation, increasing range of motion and lessening pain.

SpineSix can be effectively used for many common back and neck disorders and can progress throughout the entire course of physical therapy as the patient does. The patient can be positioned on the SpineSix and passively moved by the machine during the initial stages of therapy. Once the patient has improved, active assistive and active resistive activities can be performed on the SpineSix to aid in muscle strength training and conditioning, culminating in dynamic stabilization exercises. This one piece of equipment is proving to be indispensable to physical therapists for the broad range of objectives it is useful for. Patients as well are stating great satisfaction with SpineSix therapy, calling it “Gentle and Relaxing”. With both the medical professional and the patient touting the benefits of the SpineSix, it is quickly becoming a staple piece of rehab equipment nationwide.
Clinicians are embracing the SpineSix for many reasons, including:
• ROM settings are clinician determined based on clinical judgment, spinal disorder and patient tolerance.
• Computerized printouts document the treatment session.
• SpineSix’s ability to be used through multiple stages of therapy.
• Patient compliance and lower attrition rates.
• Treatments are precise and reproducible.
• SpineSix is effective in improving clinical outcomes.
• Appropriate for patients who cannot tolerate more aggressive therapies.

When determining which physical therapy equipment is placed in a rehabilitation center, physical therapists examine the positive benefits that equipment can bring to both their patients and their practice. Most important in making their decision is clinical effectiveness, patient compliance and progression of therapeutic objectives. SpineSix is one piece of physical therapy equipment that can do all those things, and do those things effectively, consistently and gently – making SpineSix a must have for any spinal rehabilitation program.

This Blog is maintained by MediCepts, Inc, manufacturer of the SpineSix.All content has been provided by employees of MediCepts, Inc.

Want to learn more about effective rehabilitation equipment for back pain patients? Read more of our blog posts, and don't forget to bookmark us!