| Patients who are obese have special needs when | | | | occur at home and the patient should have |
| it comes to completing physical therapy. This is | | | | enough support so that their back and neck are |
| often the case when an obese person decides to | | | | not having extra strain put on them as the result |
| obtain bariatric surgery or other surgical means to | | | | of leg and arm exercises. In the clinic, it's essential |
| reduce their weight. This can cause a challenge for | | | | to have at least one larger treatment table that |
| physical therapy clinics as they must have | | | | can be utilized by all patients including obese |
| available special equipment in order to provide the | | | | people. One excellent type of table is the |
| same level of care to obese patients as their | | | | Powerline Treatment, made by Oakworks. This |
| average sized patients. Knowing what types of | | | | remarkable treatment table features a sturdy |
| quality equipment are available to accommodate | | | | padded surface, solid hardwood frame and an |
| the needs of obese patients is half the battle. | | | | adjustable bed that can handle patients up to 500 |
| Here are the recommended essential bariatric | | | | lbs. |
| products for the physical therapy clinic treating | | | | Patient Lifts |
| obese patients. | | | | When it comes to ensuring safe treatment of |
| Mobility Products | | | | obese patients, nothing comes in more handy |
| When it comes to providing physical therapy to | | | | than the hospital style weight bearing patient lift. |
| patients of any size, certain essential products are | | | | These lifts give the caregivers and physical |
| required to help patients retain mobility throughout | | | | therapists another set of hands when lifting the |
| this process. These items may include, but are | | | | patient or helping them learn to sit up and stand |
| not limited to canes, walkers, crutches, wheel | | | | again. A lift can make sure the patient isn't falling |
| chairs or braces. Normally, it would not be a | | | | out of bed or causing injury to anyone, most of |
| problem to fit a patient with these items if they | | | | all themselves, during treatment. |
| are of an average size and weight, but if you | | | | Respiratory Aids |
| have an obese patient it's difficult to safely fit | | | | Obese patients often have trouble breathing |
| them with any mobility devices that will not cause | | | | properly when participating in physical therapy. |
| them pain or fail to provide adequate support. | | | | Therefore it's essential to have some type of |
| Another factor to consider is that the equipment | | | | respiratory aid, such as oxygen and masks, on |
| must withstand additional weight so the products | | | | hand just in case. This will ensure that the patient |
| must be built to last. It's recommended that in | | | | gets the right amount of fresh air to breath and |
| order to accommodate patients of a larger size | | | | doesn't pass out due to lack of oxygen, which |
| and weight, that physical therapy clinics choose | | | | would be a very injurious experience for them |
| products that are adjustable, manufactured out of | | | | and for staff. |
| sturdy materials (steel vs. wood or plastic) and be | | | | Floor Scale |
| able to take the pressure off of already strained | | | | When an obese patient presents for treatment, it |
| joints. Wheelchairs should have wider seats and | | | | can be difficult for them to be weighed to see |
| allow a full range of motion to encourage obese | | | | how they are progressive with their weight loss |
| patients to use them as needed. | | | | following bariatric surgery. Standard hospital scales |
| Beds and Support Surfaces | | | | only go up to 400 lbs so it's necessary to obtain a |
| When treating the obese patient in the clinic or | | | | floor scale that can weight up to 1,000 lbs. A floor |
| providing in-home care, there is a great need for | | | | scale also makes it easier for the patient to get |
| a bed, tables or support surfaces that can | | | | up and down off the scale, especially if mobility is |
| support their size and weight. Treatment may | | | | an issue. |