The physical therapy industry is one that has seen a lot of change in recent years, and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down. The use of technology in physical therapy is playing a huge role in shaping the future for this industry. In this blog post, we’ll explore 6 ways physical and non-physical technology is revolutionizing this practice and how it’s positively impacting patient care.

1. Physical therapy can be done at home

A lot of people might not know this, but there are now a variety of physical therapy exercises that can be done from the comfort of your own home. A lot of these exercises come from tutorials on YouTube that offer beautifully-made, extremely easy-to-follow directions. The best part is that you don’t need to spend a ton of money on expensive equipment to get your own personalized workout plan – there are many affordable at-home solutions such as personalized training apps and web content that make physical therapy easy, accessible, and fun. It’s never been easier for someone who feels like their body is completely out of shape to start taking care of themselves without feeling like they’re wasting time or money.

2. The use of virtual reality to help patients recover faster

VR is being used in a number of different fields, but perhaps one of the most exciting implementations is its use in physical therapy. Virtual reality (VR) technology has the potential to transform the rehabilitation process by providing immersive environments for movement training. There are many different types of VR that can be incorporated into physical therapy; some are more passive while others are more active simulations. Each patient has their own individual preferences and may opt for something like a 360-degree video rather than an interactive game.

One of the most interesting aspects about VR in physical therapy is its ability to make patients feel like they’re actually participating in their own rehabilitation process. Patients often have a difficult time visualizing themselves engaging in physical therapy, but when they put on the headset and find themselves floating through space or playing soccer with friends it suddenly becomes more realistic. VR can also be used to help patients learn how their bodies move within certain environments; this is especially helpful for people dealing with pain management issues like arthritis, injuries (especially repetitive injuries), and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.

All of this is made possible by the fact that VR offers a sense of realism unlike anything else in our world today. It can be difficult to explain, but when you put on a headset and find yourself transported into an immersive environment it almost feels real – perhaps more real than any other kind of media.

3. A new type of bike that can be used in physical therapy sessions

Elite athletes and weekend warriors alike can benefit from a new type of bike that is currently being developed. This brand-new stationary bicycle features front and rear suspension, which allows the rider to adjust the stiffness of their ride; this helps accommodate for different types of patients with varying needs.

The unique design also makes it possible to use certain parts of the bike as a standing platform. This allows therapists to have their patients stand up and pedal while being supported by another person or against resistance from rubber bands. These bikes also allow for quick transitions between sitting, pedaling, and standing positions – which is perfect for working different muscles in various ways during physical therapy sessions.

This new development can make the physical therapy process much more effective by giving patients the ability to actively participate in their own recovery. It’s also a great way for professionals and amateurs alike to work on specific muscle groups that might not be able to endure rigorous training routines.

4. A Portable Device for Determining the Best Exercises for a Specific Patient

A new portable device can be used to collect data about a patient’s specific needs and use it to recommend exercises that will help them heal.

Physical therapists often find themselves in situations where they have no idea what exercises would be best suited to someone’s specific condition, but that’s where this device comes in. The machine is able to measure a person’s pressure on their feet, how much weight is on the injured leg, and how tense their muscles are. This information is then translated into a 3D model which helps a therapist come up with an exercise plan.

The device also includes gyroscopes which help it calculate the direction, speed, and tempo of a person’s movements. This information makes it possible for therapists to recommend specific exercises based on what movements will be most beneficial depending on their patient’s injury.

Their system is also capable of tracking how much weight someone can put onto an injured leg before feeling pain so they can recommend more progressive forms of physical therapy.

These additions to the physical therapist’s toolkit are helping them better serve their patients by making it easier for them to prescribe exercises that will be best suited towards healing specific conditions.

5. New research being conducted with stem cells and their effect on injured joints

Stem cells are pluripotent cells that develop into other types of cells and tissues in the body. They are self-renewing, which means they do not age or die like other human cells. This is what makes them so exciting for regenerative purposes in physical therapy because they can potentially be used to regenerate cartilage, bone, blood vessels, muscles, nerves, and organs.

There are many different kinds of stem cells that are being researched for their therapeutic potential in physical therapy – including human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), multipotent neural precursor cells (NPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). All of these are being looked at for their potential to help regenerate tissues in the body, but hADSCs and MSCs seem to be most effective.

6. Research is being done on how music can help with physical therapy.

One of the newest developments in the world of physical therapy is how music interacts with the brain. Brain imaging techniques are constantly advancing, and it has recently been found that listening to music while engaged in rehabilitation activities can actually help promote brain recovery. When people listen to their favorite songs or sounds they tend to associate them with positive memories or experiences.

It’s often difficult for patients to get the recommended amount of mental stimulation during light therapy sessions due to an inability to focus on anything aside from their pain. When patients listen to music while engaging in physical therapy activities they’re able to distract themselves from this pain and focus on something else entirely. They also find themselves undergoing a more emotional experience than they would otherwise, which helps keep them motivated and make them more likely to resume physical therapy activities.

This innovative development was only made recently once scientists were able to determine how the brain responds when music is played during rehabilitation exercises. Listening to music can help reduce recovery times and increase overall activity levels, which makes it an invaluable resource in modern-day physical therapy treatments.

Many of the best physical therapy clinics are found in major metropolitan areas. If you’re struggling to find one close by, try looking for physical therapy providers online. Rehab.com makes it easy to find clinics near you and can even help you schedule appointments without going through the trouble of driving all over town!