FAQ
Home Rehab Essentials: To continue recovery at home, therapists frequently recommend basic, versatile tools. These include Resistance Bands (for strengthening), Hand Exercisers/Therapy Putty (for dexterity), light Dumbbells/Cuff Weights (for progressive strengthening), and Stretching Straps (for increasing range of motion and flexibility).
Progressive Strengthening: Resistance Bands and Weights allow for progressive resistance training—meaning you can gradually increase the challenge as your strength improves. They are crucial because they allow you to perform repetitive, controlled exercises that target and re-educate specific weakened muscles, which is vital for long-term recovery and joint stability.
Balance & Core Training: A Stability Ball (or Swiss Ball) is used primarily for core strengthening and improving posture by forcing the user to engage stabilizing muscles. A Balance Board (or Wobble Board) is used for proprioception (sense of joint position) and improving lower body balance, which is crucial for preventing falls and regaining gait after leg or foot injury/stroke.
Hand Therapy & Dexterity: Therapy Putty and specialized Hand Grips/Exercisers are key for hand rehabilitation. They allow for a variety of fine motor exercises (squeezing, pinching, rolling) that rebuild strength, increase dexterity, and improve nerve connection, which is often crucial after hand surgery or a neurological event like a stroke.
Safety & Professional Guidance: Yes. While home therapy aids are safe, they must be used correctly. Always consult your physician or physical therapist before starting any new exercise with equipment. They will determine the appropriate type of aid, the correct resistance level, and the specific exercises needed to achieve your personal recovery goals safely.
Low-Impact Exercise: Low-impact equipment, such as a Stationary Bike (especially a recumbent bike) or a small Pedal Exerciser for the arms and legs, is often recommended. These tools help rebuild cardiovascular endurance and joint range of motion without putting excessive stress or weight on healing joints, accelerating recovery safely.