Parallel Bars in Physical Therapy - Gain Extra Support During Rehabilitation

 

A set of parallel bars is one piece of equipment that your physical therapist may employ in the rehabilitation clinic. Many physical therapy clinics utilise parallel bars to provide patients with a safe way to work on exercises, gait training, and balance.

You may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist if you have experienced an injury or illness that has limited your ability to walk or has impacted your functional mobility. To improve your recovery, your physical therapist will apply a variety of methods and modalities.

What Are Parallel Bars?

Parallel bars are two wooden bars placed about 3 feet apart in the physical therapy clinic. Metal adjustable legs support the bars, which are parallel to each other. The bars can be raised or lowered using these legs to accommodate people of various heights.

The legs of the parallel bars are supported by a wooden base. For safety and security, this wooden platform is generally provided with a non-skid surface.

Parallel bars are deployed in physical therapy clinics to provide a safe and stable environment for you and your physical therapist to work on various exercises and gait training approaches.

Common exercises done in parallel bars may include:

·         Mini squats

·         Standing hip flexion

·         Standing leg raises

·         Heel raises

·         Toe raises

Your physical therapist may suggest that you use parallel bars for balancing exercises because they are so steady. Single-leg standing exercises are possible, and a foam pillow can be placed beneath your feet for increased difficulty. To test your balance on the parallel bars, try the tandem stance and walk (heel-to-toe stance).

Other Uses

If you have an upper extremity injury, your physical therapist may recommend that you use parallel bars as part of your rehabilitation. You can do triceps dips with your feet on the floor while standing behind the bars. This strengthens your triceps, which are the muscles that extend your elbows and may be useful for getting out of a chair.

Parallel bars can also be used for shoulder stretches. Your physical therapist may have you stretch your pectoralis (chest) muscles, shoulder muscles, or latissimus (back) muscles with the bars raised to their maximum height.

Physical therapists are usually very creative, so if you can imagine an exercise, your physical therapist can definitely do the same with parallel bars.

You may need to work with a physical therapist to regain strength and mobility or learn to walk again if you have been injured, unwell, or recovered from surgery. During your rehab, your physical therapist may utilise parallel bars physical therapy to create a safe and secure environment for you to concentrate on strength and gait training. You can swiftly return to your maximum level of performance by preserving safety.