Background and Identification
Physical therapy equipment includes medical devices, furniture, and accessories that are most commonly used in a physical therapy setting specifically. This includes equipment for exercise therapy, ultrasound therapy, cold and hot therapy, continous passive motion therapy (CPM), and more.
Some devices used in a physical therapy setting might be categorized under medical equipment if they are used in other sectors of medicine outside of physical therapy. For instance, some equipment might fall under medical test and measurement devices, medical furniture, or medical support equipment.
Physical therapy equipment originated with physical therapy itself in around 460 BC. Physical therapy refers to the category of medicine that focuses on applying anatomy, kinesiology, and specific exercises to treat patients with physical impairments. These impairments can cause limited motion and chronic pain. They are often caused by injury or illness, usually in the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or endocrinological systems.
Physical therapy equipment has a range of structures and physical appearances depending on its intended function. Physical therapy equipment often includes components that the user interacts with, whether that be a surface they sit or lay on, a weight they push, or a sensor that is used for monitoring purposes. Physical therapy equipment is made by numerous medical device companies.