Technology has always played a major role in health care, but it’s becoming increasingly important in sectors such as physical therapy, too. New innovations allow physical therapists to reach more patients, expand treatment options, and provide more positive outcomes. Regardless of what kind of physical therapy you need, you should look for physical therapy near me that offers cutting edge tech and innovative treatment options. Read on to learn more about the latest advancements in the field and how they can help you achieve recovery faster than ever.
Using Augmented Reality
Augmented reality has been around since the 1960s, but its potential applications in the health care field have only recently been discovered. Indeed, many physical therapy professionals have begun experimenting with this technology to provide more accurate and precise care to patients. Some physical therapists say that it can even motivate patients to follow through on exercises and maintain a consistent routine — which, of course, will improve the results of their treatment.
There are many potential applications of augmented reality in physical therapy near me, but one of the most popular is the use of integrated exercise routines that allow patients to explore virtual environments while completing their workouts. Many patients become bored or frustrated over the course of an exercise routine, which is an understandable phenomenon, given the monotony of many exercises. An augmented reality setting brings new possibilities to this task and gives patients the freedom to combine entertainment with exercise.
Augmented reality can also give practitioners the ability to gain a closer look at musculature through simulated 3D projections. These images can be projected directly onto patients, making it easier for physical therapists to identify the source of pain, stiffness, and other common issues. The image can further be manipulated by navigating tracking sensors that correlate to the muscles displayed on the image.
How Artificial Intelligence Can Help
Artificial intelligence is yet another promising technology that may offer new solutions for physical therapy. New applications have emerged that can track patient progress more effectively than previous methods and generate valuable data for practitioners. AI applications can also monitor patients’ exercises to ensure that they are maintaining correct form. Perhaps the most important AI innovation, though, is its ability to eliminate repetitive tasks from practitioners’ daily workload. This gives them more time to work with patients.
Artificial intelligence tools can also be synced to work in coordination with motion trackers that attach to a patient’s body and record individual movements. This allows for a greater degree of documentation than any prior form of physical therapy, and it also empowers patients to see their recovery progress in real-time. When used in conjunction with the human guidance of a physical therapist, this technology can open the door to new frontiers in sports injury, TMJ, and pelvic floor physical therapy.
Start working with a physical therapist to see how technology can facilitate your path to recovery. With the right practitioners and tools, you can strengthen your muscles and abolish pain.