Essential Equipment List For Physiotherapy Clinics

A List Of Medical Equipment All Physiotherapy Clinics Should Have

On a global scale, millions suffer from pain due to accidents, stress, and health-related conditions. Besides orthopedic centers and hospitals, patients consider physiotherapy clinics for faster recovery and pain management.

As of the latest survey, there are currently 43,093 physiotherapy clinics in the United States. As the industry is expected to grow at 1.7% annually, this number is expected to rise in the coming years.

Besides several clinics, there are also 9.5 physiotherapists for every 10,000 Americans, per estimates by the World Physiotherapy—the governing body of physiotherapy organizations worldwide. However, more professionals are needed in other parts of the world, as there are only two million physiotherapists as of June 2021.

Therefore, whether you’re a physiotherapist seeking medical supplies from a specialized wholesaler or a patient looking for a reputable clinic, getting familiar with physiotherapy devices is crucial. Discover what a physiotherapist does and some basic rehabilitation machines in this article.

These healthcare professionals are skilled and licensed specialists who’ve studied human anatomy and functions. They can determine the cause of pain and perform various interventions to restore patient health and basic movements. Methods may include massages, exercises, and other forms of therapies using machines.

While subtle differences exist between physiotherapists and physical therapists, both professionals focus on making a patient move better and heal faster. The following medical equipment can help them achieve this.

1. Laser therapy machine

   Laser therapy has numerous medical applications, including surgeries and removing abnormal growths, such as tumors. It can help improve skin conditions and treat various musculoskeletal conditions when used at low levels.

   Physiotherapy clinics find lasers, which emit laser beams that penetrate the skin and tissues, useful in enhancing the function of connective tissue cells. This biostimulation process helps hasten tissue repair and accelerate the body’s anti-inflammatory function. Moreover, a laser therapy machine specifically addresses soft tissue injuries and tendonitis.

2. Therapeutic ultrasound machine

   Ultrasound is not just an imaging method for pregnant women and patients suffering from liver, bladder, and other internal organs. When calibrated properly, ultrasound can be used to address pain and other conditions.

   Physiotherapy clinics have ultrasound machines giving off high-frequency sound waves that stimulate blood circulation and improve tissue functions. This restoration method can minimize swelling and inflammation, hasten bone and joint healing, manage muscle spasms, and reduce musculoskeletal pain, especially when used alongside other therapies.

3. Short-Wave Diathermy (SWD) machine

   This medical equipment utilizes electromagnetic energy to generate heat in the affected body. An SWD machine targets both tissues and joints, making it more effective in treating degenerative joint conditions or injuries affecting them. As such, patients with osteoarthritis can benefit from this device.

   Besides joint and deep tissue pain, this machine can also improve tissue strength and address muscle spasms caused by bursitis, sprains, strains, and tenosynovitis.

4. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machine

   A TENS machine is another clinic fixture. The device transmits safe levels of electricity to the human body and intercepts nerves carrying pain signals toward the brain.

   The machine also triggers the body’s ability to release endorphins, also known as feel-good hormones. Fighting pain is among the many benefits of endorphins, and a healthy dose can relieve a patient of debilitating pain and discomfort.

5. Inferential Current therapy equipment

   Orthopedic centers and physiotherapy clinics often carry machines that enable inferential therapy (IFT) administration. This therapeutic modality uses electric current to activate tissue function that helps address pain, reduce swelling, and assist tissue and bone repair. In addition, the device can promote blood circulation, which is effective in aiding the recovery process.

   Comparatively, IFT machines deliver a more consistent electricity supply, unlike its close relative, the TENS machine. IFT devices commonly treat pain and discomfort caused by arthritis, spondylitis, and back, neck, and shoulder injuries. The TENS and IFT machines can be used together for a more intense treatment.

6. Iontophoresis device

   Iontophoresis is another therapeutic modality that relies on low electricity levels to address various issues such as pain and inflammation. However, in this case, the device is used to administer a medical solution to the affected tissues, muscles, and joints. The drugs may be anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, analgesic, or corticosteroids, depending on the physiotherapist’s evaluation.

   Besides arthritis, the delivery of medications through this device can help ease inflammation and pain attributed to various musculoskeletal conditions. These include epicondylitis, bursitis, and plantar fasciitis. This treatment method can also manage scar tissue, edema, and calcium deposits that lead to bone pain, osteoporosis, and disruptions in internal organ functions.

7. Basic physiology tools

   Physiotherapists encourage patients to engage in traditional pain management and rehabilitation activities like exercise, temperature therapy, and acupuncture. Other medical and non-medical equipment is essential to a comprehensive treatment plan.

   Every clinic should have gym balls, heel and ankle exercisers, grip strengtheners, a treadmill, and a shoulder wheel. An exercise mat to perform various movements to relieve hip pain and other conditions are ideal. Likewise, they should have lumbar and cervical traction tables for further manual manipulation.

   Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM) tools, weight cuffs, kinesiology tape, dry needles, and hot and cold packs are also must-haves in physiotherapy centers.

Physiotherapy clinics help hasten patient recovery from injuries. These rehabilitation and treatment facilities are the top places for outpatient musculoskeletal pain management and other conditions.

Because of the numerous sources of pain, inflammation, and reduced movement, physiotherapists must have access to the basic and specialized equipment discussed above. Without these machines, providing customized care for each patient can be challenging.