Part of providing quality care for your patients is recommending rehab and exercise equipment that patients can use at home for postural stabilization or for strength training. Take a look at what is currently on the market.

Hygenic Corp/Performance Health Products

Hygenic Corp/Performance Health Products, Akron, Ohio, introduces its Thera-Band® Rehab and Wellness Station, a compact, total body rehabilitation center, which may be used for strength, balance, and core training. It features Thera-Band clip-connect resistance tubing, stability trainers, and the Pro Series SCP™ exercise ball. The Rehab and Wellness Station's multidimensional design provides three planes of movement for upper and lower extremity strength training supported by resistance tubing. The system makes patient set-up, charting, and documentation easy with its slide tracks and one hand lock-down capability. Four full-color wall posters with 115 exercises and a Thera-Band software CD, which consists of more than 170 exercises using resistance bands or tubing, exercise balls, and balance boards, are included.

(800) 321-2135
www.thera-bandacademy.com

Pettibon System Inc

The Pettibon System, Gig Harbor, Wash, offers the Wobble Chair™, a patented, height-adjustable chair that provides spinal rehabilitation. The Wobble Chair facilitates many combinations of exercise motions needed for lumbar disk mobility, rehydration, nutrition delivery, and waste elimination. The seat of the Wobble Chair provides 360° of rotation, 40° of side-to-side flexion, and 35° of front-to-back flexion on a universal-type joint. A portable version of the Wobble chair is also available for home users and frequent travelers.

(888) 774-6258
www.pettibonsystem.com

Stretchwell Inc

Stretchwell Inc, Warminster, Pa, offers its Stretch Disc, a tool for back, pelvic, and weight-shift exercises. Many stability ball exercises can be performed with the disc when placed in a chair. It can also be used for balance and ankle exercises by standing on it with or without a wobble board.

(888) 396-2430
www.stretchwell.com

Empi

Empi, St Paul, Minn, introduces its Select Pain Control System, which uses transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation technology to fight chronic, arthritic, and post-surgical pain. The portable device, which can be used at home or on-the-go, features preset treatment programs that make it convenient and easy to use. The Select Pain Control System sends electrical stimulation through the skin, into the peripheral nervous system, decreasing the pain signals that are sent to the brain. The device includes lead wires that are connected to patches, which are placed directly on the affected area.

(800) 328-2536
www.empi.com

OPTP

OPTP, Minneapolis, offers Treat Your Own Back, a book by Robin McKenzie, which provides information on how to relieve back pain and prevent recurrence. Now in its 8th edition, the book provides information about the back and how it works. It also includes exercises that show how to improve and change potentially risky activities.

(800) 367-7393
www.optp.com

Ball Dynamics International

Ball Dynamics International, Longmont, Colo, offers its FitBALL® Peanut, a balance and core-training tool for beginners who are anxious about training or rehabilitation on a standard FitBALL exercise ball. The FitBALL Peanut features an elongated peanut shape and rolls in one direction at a time. It is controlled by the user. The longer shape of the peanut allows two people to sit on the ball. The ball is burst resistant and latex-free. It is available in different sizes, ranging from 30 cm to 70 cm.

(800) 752-2255
www.fitball.com

Mueller Sports Medicine Inc

Mueller Sports Medicine, Prairie du Sac, Wis, offers its flexible, cold/hot therapy pads, which feature a "cell" design that allows compact storage. The wafer-thin pads expand in water for long-lasting heat or cold therapy. The pads are reusable and conform to any body part. They can be cooled in a freezer, cooler, or refrigerator. For heat therapy, soak in warm water or heat in a microwave. The nontoxic pads are available in 28-foot rolls with 840 cells.

(608) 643-8530
www.muellersportsmed.com