Physical therapy (PT) is a major part of the healthcare sector, constituting a $34 billion industry that continues to grow with each passing year. PT involves a constellation of practices that expedite the healing process for patients who have suffered minor or severe injuries or illnesses. Such practices include exercise, massage, heat, and various other methods that physically manipulate the body in beneficial ways.
One of the newest methods that has become popular in recent years is called anti-gravity rehab. While it sounds like some science-fiction concept, the only technology involved is a specially designed treadmill. The main operating principle is reducing the strain on the legs and lower body, which is accomplished via specialized garments and inflatable devices connected to the treadmill.
AlterG, one of the leading anti-gravity treadmills on the market, is now used in over 4,000 physical therapy facilities around the country. Its popularity is testimony to the success of this new method of rehab.
So why is this new PT technology so popular and how is it producing so many positive results for injured patients? Here are five reasons why....
~Reduces body weight by up to 80%. Anti-gravity rehab allows patients to maintain cardiovascular exercise while rehabilitating lower extremity injuries (hip, knee, angle, and foot) without inflaming, injuring, or re-injuring any bones, joints, and muscles. Impact training and conditioning can make chronic injuries worse, which is why low-gravity training (such as anti-gravity and water training is so important.)
~Uses cutting-edge technology. AlterG uses biomechanical gait training equipped with specialized video monitoring. This also includes neuromuscular training (also called Overspeed Training), which induces faster running and gait training for neurologic patients without the possibility of a fall or injury.
~It's better than water therapy. Anti-gravity therapy produces the same type of healing as water therapy, reducing the natural gravity-based strain on bones, joints, and muscles, but without the messy water, awkward swimsuits, and unnatural movements. not using water also reduces the risk of infection if the patient's injury involves a surgical incision or any kind of open wound. (Additionally, anti-gravity PT allows patients to more naturally reproduce physical activity, including standard gait, stride length, bounding, leg kick, and body positioning).
~Modulate your training intensity. Unlike with water therapy, anti-gravity training allows you to change the pace and intensity of a workout, which is also known as Interval Training. Additionally, it allows crossing training patients to recover from high impact stress. No matter what body type you are, your muscles, joints, and bones need time and care to recover from a hard workout.
~Good for patient confidence. Patients feel more engaged and motivated, while also greatly reducing the risk of chronic injuries commonly linked to walking and running. Additionally, anti-gravity training works well for older patients. There are millions of senior citizens who want to keep working out and exercising but experience chronic pain from arthritis and other degenerative illnesses associated with old age.
So there you have it, five reasons why anti-gravity treadmill training is one of the most popular physical therapy methods on the market.
