High quality physiotherapy news and trends by Sabra Pegler Brainerd Minnesota: In 2023, Medicare plans to expand coverage for remote monitoring of patients, allowing physical therapists to bill for more digital care services. As remote monitoring technologies become more widely accepted by patients, providers, and insurers, expect to see various novel approaches to telerehabilitation grow and expand. As interest and engagement in telerehabilitation grows, the use of rehabilitation technology will, by necessity, grow alongside it. As we discussed above, the digital health sphere is already making use of motion tracking technology to improve clinicians’ abilities to remotely monitor patient performance and progress.
As Facebook becomes “Meta,” Apple works on new VR headsets, and Nvidia promises us artificial intelligence that will power a future in the “Metaverse” many PTs are left wondering, “What role will VR play in physical therapy?” Right now, there’s more than just buzz about the combination of VR and physical therapy. In a 2019 study, researchers measured the effects of virtual reality technology on a small group of patients experiencing problems with balance and gait due to Parkinson’s disease. The group of individuals using VR tech experienced “significantly better performance compared with the conventional physical therapy group.” It’s easy to see why, as patients who enjoy VR can often move past mental barriers to recover more efficiently. Companies like XRHealth are already offering virtual care using augmented reality. Patients receive VR headsets in the mail and train with physical therapists to recover from specific injuries independently. Read extra info on https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18591019/.
A person suspended in zero gravity has no gravitational force acting on their body and therefore is said to be in a suspended state. Zero gravity recliners operate by gently reclining the body into this position while equally dispersing your weight throughout the chair’s surface area. NASA indeed pioneered the development of zero-gravity technologies. This is similar to that taken by astronauts during the launch of space missions. They must adopt a zero-gravity attitude to escape the extreme stress that occurs during the rapid rises in gravity that occur when fleeing the Earth’s gravitational pull. From upright to fully reclined, every position in your zero gravity chair is securely secured by a locking mechanism, allowing you to choose your chosen position and rest in complete confidence effortlessly.
Physiotherapy advices from Sabra Pegler right now: It shouldn’t be surprising then that physical therapists are overworked and tired. If that burnout causes a PT to quit, then you need to spend time, energy, and resources to replace them. Therefore, as part of your regular employee evaluation, consider using a checklist or self-test such as this one from MindTools for your staff to assess their mental health and level of burnout. Based on the results, you can take steps to reduce burnout, such as committing to ethical scheduling practices.
Natural rotational movements in combination with long-term traction force also contribute to the improvement of the pumping mechanism and the circulation of fluid in the tissues of the discs. The pressure in the intervertebral discs begins to decrease after about 20 minutes of traction treatment, after 30-45 minutes of traction, the pressure continues to decrease and can return to normal. In intervertebral disc physiotherapy, back traction is one of the most well-established therapeutic modalities. The lower back traction home treatment works by creating a space between the joint surfaces, reducing the strain on them, and relieving pain. As a result, the strain on the neural root and the risk of inflammation is reduced. The disc moves back to its natural place when the ligaments are stretched. Back traction is used to cure muscular spasms and to correct the incorrect curvature of the spinal cord column. It is an anti-spastic therapy for the muscles.
Telehealth in physical therapy offers a variety of benefits that make treatment more accessible and convenient for patients. By utilizing telehealth technology, physical therapists can provide patients with exercises and coaching without the need for in-person consultations. Smartphones and tablets can be used to demonstrate exercises, while apps, in-home hardware, and AI-driven wearables can provide real-time data, monitor patient performance, and send feedback to the PT about a patient’s progress.