| The use of parallel bars in rehabilitative and | | | | normal ambulatory motion. |
| physical therapies is vitally important in the | | | | For people experiencing a change in their physical |
| healthcare profession. Parallel bars are used to | | | | abilities, uneven parallel bars and rehabilitative |
| help people regain their strength, balance, range of | | | | therapy can have significant benefits. Many people |
| motion, and independence. For people recovering | | | | are familiar with the importance of rehabilitation |
| from injuries, illnesses, and other debilitating | | | | following surgeries, injuries, strokes, etc. However |
| conditions, parallel bars are important items of | | | | rehabilitative therapy has proven to have |
| physical therapy, rehabilitation, and exercise | | | | prodigious benefits for people with chronic illnesses |
| equipment. | | | | or debilitating conditions such as arthritis, |
| Rehabilitation therapists use parallel bars for | | | | osteoporosis, and multiple sclerosis, which can |
| coordination exercises. These task-oriented | | | | fundamentally affect all areas of movement and |
| procedures help people with balance and | | | | function. Spasticity, weakness, balance, dizziness, |
| coordination problems, typically resulting from | | | | cognition, vision, and coordination are just some of |
| strokes or brain trauma. Patients are required to | | | | the symptoms that can be improved through |
| repeat concise movements that work more than | | | | regular physical therapy. Physical therapy also has |
| one joint and muscle. | | | | an immense amount of psychological benefits that |
| Parallel bars are also used for ambulation | | | | come along with an improvement of confidence, |
| exercises to improve a patient's ability to walk | | | | self image, public image, and overall sense of |
| independently or with assistance. Before starting | | | | well-being. |
| such exercises, however, some patient's may | | | | For any type of rehabilitation to be successful, it is |
| need to develop or improve the range of motion | | | | critical to implement a multi-faceted, |
| of their joints as well as develop any lost muscle | | | | interdisciplinary course of therapy incorporating |
| strength. This type of training typically begins on | | | | exercises and techniques that have a broad and |
| parallel bars and then progresses to walking with | | | | comprehensive focus. The use of parallel bars for |
| mobility aids such as walkers, crutches, or walking | | | | physical therapy is only a fragment of the entire |
| canes. | | | | process. Such therapy should always aim to |
| Therapy parallel bars are also used for general | | | | restore maximum independence to all facets of |
| conditioning exercises. This rehabilitative therapy | | | | an individual's lifestyle. It is important to remember |
| combines range-of-motion, muscle-strengthening, | | | | that not every process of rehabilitation is the |
| and ambulatory exercises to counteract effects | | | | same. There are times when different strategies |
| from being in a wheelchair for a sustained period | | | | are employed on the same patient and other |
| of time or from prolonged bed rest and | | | | times when the same strategies are employed on |
| immobilization. General conditioning exercises are | | | | different patients. Therapists must be proficient |
| used to increase heart and lung function as well | | | | enough to discern their patients' weaknesses and |
| assist in restoring necessary blood flow. | | | | needs and thereby develop and administer |
| Parallel bars are vitally important for gait training. | | | | exercise regimens designed to increase mobility, |
| On the road to recovery, preparing to walk is a | | | | strength, coordination, and balance. Along with the |
| monumental task requiring patience, dedication, an | | | | use of parallel bars, therapists should incorporate |
| extraordinary amount of will power, and the | | | | other rehabilitation equipment such as balance |
| assistance of a physical therapist. Even if a patient | | | | boards, exercise balls, hand & finger |
| can walk, they may find it extremely difficult | | | | exercises, MediCordz, and resistance cords, bands |
| without proper rehabilitative therapy. Some | | | | & tubing. Always consult with a certified |
| injuries, such as those to the brain or spine, | | | | physical therapist or a chiropractor for the proper |
| commonly effect motor skills and may cause | | | | and most effective routines and exercises for |
| spasms. Gait training can help patients regain their | | | | parallel bars. |