A showcase of the latest products in the physical therapy marketplace, including training bungies, back-pain treatment, and adjustable walkers
Active Stander for Youth
Altimate Medical’s new EasyStand Evolv Youth Glider features Active Standing Technology that provides lower-body range of motion and upper-body strengthening while standing. Previously available only for taller individuals, the new Evolv Youth Glider now accommodates individuals from 4 feet to 5 feet 6 inches tall. Movement while standing helps keep the body in shape, and the glider enhances the medical benefits of standing by offering safe, dynamic leg movement and therapeutic motion while standing. This advanced active stander allows users to move the glide handles with their arms (or a caregiver can assist), which creates a reciprocal movement in the legs. Individually adjustable cylinders can be adjusted by the user and provides them with 12 different resistance settings.
Altimate Medical Inc
PO Box 180, 262 W First St, Morton, MN 56270
(800) 342-8968
www.easystand.com/evolv
Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression
The Saunders Group Inc has been awarded a patent for its Multi-Axis Cervical and Lumbar Traction Table. The new patent describes a unique method of determining an adjusted traction force for delivery of traction in multiple positions. The Saunders 3D ActiveTrac traction device allows nonsurgical spinal decompression to be delivered with the patient lying in his or her most comfortable position. The user can flex or extend, side bend, or rotate the bottom half of the table to accommodate a patient’s painful posture, allowing proactive treatment of acutely painful patients who cannot tolerate the positions required on a traditional treatment table.
The Saunders Group
4250 Norex Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
(800) 778-1870
www.thesaundersgroup.com
Lumbar Roll
The Wonder-Roll from GNR Health Systems is the original self-inflating lumbar roll on the market. The Wonder-Roll, designed by a PT, decreases strain and relieves discomfort, makes any chair ergonomically correct, and counteracts poor posture. Designed to be used in the office, car, home, or while traveling, the self-inflating, infinitely adjustable, versatile, and easy-to-transport device relieves pain associated with sitting—anywhere. With a twist of the self-inflating valve, the roll fills with air automatically and allows users to adjust the airflow, making it to conform to each individual’s spine for the perfect fit.
GNR Health Systems
2140 NE 36th Ave, #300 Ocala, FL 34470
(800) 523-0912
www.wonder-roll.com
Updated FJA/PWS Program
WorkWell Systems Inc is releasing FJA/PWS v2 on June 30. The company surveyed its providers to get a field level perspective on what changes were needed in the updated product. Its goal was to create a more user-friendly, enhanced version of the original Functional Job Analysis (FJA) Prework Screening (PWS) program. FJA/PWS v2 provides critical up-to-date information therapists need when providing job analysis and prework screening services. The new version features updated FJA/PWS program manuals that include more information regarding employee selection for screening, disparate impact, revalidation, failure analysis, outcomes, and the importance of legal decisions such as the Dial Case. The online documentation system has improved flexibility and efficiency and includes critical demand summarization capability.
WorkWell Systems Inc
95 Argonaut, Suite 215, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(866) 997-9675
www.workwell.com
Heel Lifts
Heel lifts are firm supports most often used under one heel to compensate for a leg-length discrepancy (anisomelia), a lower back anomaly with related back pain; ease tension on the Achilles’ tendon; or for other rehab uses. The G&W Adjust-a-Lift is a specially designed lift made from three 1¼8-inch layers of neoprene rubber and a leather top cover. The layers can be removed to get the right height when placed in the shoe. The additional leather layer makes this more of a lift than a pad. Similar-looking products with a nylon top can be too soft and spongy to serve as heel lifts. With Adjust-a-Lift, there is no need to remove the shoe’s existing insole or footbed. The top leather cover is absorbent and comfortable, and can be expected to last as long as the pair of shoes in which it is placed. The lift is usually used in closed-heel fashion shoes or sandals. The lifts are available in three sizes, and the adjustability accommodates most individuals.
G&W Heel Lift Inc
PO Box 213, Cuba, MO 65453
(800) 235-4387
www.gwheellift.com
Note Creator
EON Systems has released version 1.5 of Documentor, an advanced notes and narratives package that boasts more options to quickly and easily create notes. Documentor lets users create notes or narratives that allows the user to only answer those questions relative to the patient being treated—eliminating the days of endless scrolling through questions that don’t pertain. The Chart View gives a synopsis of all previous notes, and can be customized to show only the desired data. This timesaver makes it easy to track treatment and improvement of the patient. The Resume feature makes it easy to come back to a note at a more convenient time.
EON Systems Inc
620 Lakeview Rd, Clearwater, FL 33756
800-955-6448
www.eonsystems.net
Iontophoresis Electrodes
ActivaTek Inc introduces the Trivarion buffered iontophoretic drug delivery electrodes. Iontophoresis uses an electrical current to propel ionic solutions through the intact skin, making multiple hypodermic needle sticks obsolete. The Trivarion electrodes allow efficient drug transfer. The electrode shape is very adaptable to multiple parts of the body with virtually no leakage of the drug. The adhesive does not roll off during treatment and can be removed and reapplied without difficulty. Comfortable and conformable, the Trivarion electrode can be used on knuckles, fingers, and other difficult body sites.
AvtivaTek Inc
2734 South 3600 West, Unit F, Salt Lake City, UT 84119
(800) 680-5520
www.activatekinc.com
Topical Anesthetic
Gebauer’s Spray and Stretch topical anesthetic skin refrigerant provides a fine-stream spray and cooling effect equivalent to the company’s Fluori-Methane, which has been discontinued. The product should be used with the Spray and Stretch Technique to effectively manage myofascial pain syndromes and restricted motion. Clinical conditions that may respond to the spray include low back pain (due to tight muscles), acute stiff neck, torticollis, acute bursitis of the shoulder, tight hamstrings, sprained ankle, tight masseter muscles, and referred pain due to irritated trigger points. The spray is nonflammable, nonozone depleting, and can be used in facilities that restrict the use of flammable components.
Gebauer Co
4444 E 153rd St, Cleveland, OH 44128
(800) 321-9348
www.gebauer.com
Job-Function Matching Programs
DSI Work Solutions has unveiled new Job Function Matching programs comprised of four sections that are licensed to providers with training, support, and advanced new formats. The cornerstone is job-function analysis and description, which provides a clean, easy-to-read format that highlights ergonomic opportunities and also provides a clear job-task format. DSI Job Function Tests have two applications—the postoffer test and the early return to work—which industry has been requesting for years. DSI job-specific testing and early intervention facilitates early return to the original job and produces excellent outcomes. Based on published research on the kinesiophysical method, the DSI format is extremely easy to read and write up.
DSI Work Solutions
130 W Superior St, Suite 625, Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 625-1051
www.dsiworksolutions.com
Exercise Balls
Perform Better’s 2007 catalog features the First Place Slam Balls. They are designed for swinging and chopping movements and can be used for all rotational medicine ball work. The color-coded Slam Balls are available in eight different weights ranging from 2 pounds to 18 pounds, and between 8 and 9 inches in diameter.
Perform Better
PO Box 8090, Cranston, RI 02920
(800) 556-7464
www.performbetter.com
Back Pain Treatment
The Dynatron DX1 Advanced Decompression System combines the benefits of light therapy, decompression, and exercise into a three-phase, simple-to-use, effective back-pain treatment. Phase I consists of a 4- to 9-minute unattended light-therapy treatment using the new Dynatron XP Light Pad. By pretreating with light therapy, the patient benefits from relaxation of muscle spasms, increased circulation, and relief of minor muscle and joint aches prior to traction. Phase II consists of decompressing the intervertebral disks, relieving pressure on structures that may be causing back pain. The system automatically calculates and digitally displays the angle of pull by means of a digital goniometer allowing for targeted decompression. If the practitioner needs to verify the correct traction angle, touching the digital display screen will reveal a recommended angle reference chart. Phase III is the exercise phase. Once pain has diminished, a detailed exercise program to strengthen core muscles and improve flexibility completes the treatment.
Dynatronics Corp
7030 Park Centre Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84121
(800) 874-6251
www.dynatronics.com
Training Bungies
MediCordz Safety products, from NZ Manufacturing Inc, provide rehab and strengthening programs with the added safety and security of strong and durable high-grade bungies. The patented line of products provides seven progressive resistance levels from which to choose. Unlike latex exercise bands, the bungies provide resistance in rehab and exercise without the fear of latex allergies and possible breakage, as bands typically do. The dedicated Upper Body Bungie is used in upper body and for stabilization exercises of the back. This device can also be used with lower-body strengthening exercises. In addition to MediCordz Bungie products, the TurfCordz line of resistance-training products includes the Safety Bungie in even greater resistance levels of up to 200 pounds of pull.
NZ MFG LLC
412 Commerce St, Tallmadge, OH 44278
(800) 886-6621
www.nzmfg.com
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) therapy delivers tiny electrical pulses to the nerves, resulting in a tingling sensation that replaces the pain signal to the brain. SCS cannot cure pain or eliminate its cause, but the Precision SCS device from Advanced Bionics provides finely controlled relief from the pain. Most pain signals travel from the source of the problem or injury via nerve pathways to the spine, then up the spine to the brain. This device is implanted under the skin and electrically stimulates specific nerves of the spinal cord to mask the perception of specific pain signals that move along the spinal nerve pathways. The patient controls the signal intensity and location by using the remote control.
Advanced Bionics
25129 Rye Canyon Loop, Valencia, CA 91355
(800) 678-2575
www.advancedbionics.com
Pilates Spine Stretcher
Balanced Body’s Contour Step Barrel is a new generation of Joseph Pilates’ original Spine Corrector, which enables stretching of the spine and shoulders in a safe and stabilized manner. This new, ergonomic version uses an elongated arch to fit a wider range of body types and a rounded step to improve support. The redesigned equipment includes both dowel and cutout handholds, and can be upgraded to include a spring resistance system or a built-in mat to accommodate a variety of exercises.
Balanced Body
8220 Ferguson Ave, Sacramento, CA 95828
(800) 745-2837
www.pilates.com
Electrotherapy Equipment
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) modality provides a sensory stimulation intended for symptomatic relief of a large number of painful syndromes. Prior to the cause of the pain being isolated, the TENS modality relieves chronic intractable pain syndromes and eases pain where analgesic drugs would be contraindicated. The Z-Stim 100 from Amrex relieves pain by applying stimulation through the self-adhesive pad electrodes. The device can be placed in a shirt pocket or clipped to a belt or waistband. The pulse rate and intensity are adjustable for optimal relief. It is backed by a 2-year parts and labor warranty and a tradition of more than 60 years of American-made electrotherapy experience.
Amrex
641 E Walnut St, Carson, CA 90746
(310) 527-6868
www.amrex-zetron.com
Back Pain Information for the Public
OPTP is introducing Spinal Stabilization - The New Science of Back Pain 2nd ed. by Rick Jemmett, PT. Written for the general public, this book describes the causes of back pain and details the scientifically proven Australian stabilization approach. This soft- cover guide is a valuable resource for PTs, chiropractors, athletic trainers, and personal trainers working on core stability. The book is now divided into two sections with up-to-date information based on the research in the Australian spinal stabilization method. The first section is designed for people with low back pain and describes the therapeutic segmental stabilization exercises. The second section is for athletes who need a high-performance, injury-resistant spine and describes more advanced conditioning exercises.
OPTP
3800 Annapolis Lane, Suite 165, PO BOX 47009, Minneapolis, MN 55447
(800 367-7393
www.optp.com
Ultrasound Combination Device
The AutoSound 9.6 from Rich-Mar is a touch-screen-controlled, patented automatic ultrasound and combination device. The medical practitioner can use four channels of Quadpolar IFC, Premod IFC, or High-Volt, Russian, microcurrent stimulation with superior ultrasound without having to apply it manually. The patented ultrasound applicator removes the potential for application errors common to manual ultrasound so that patients receive a superior treatment. The device also uses the proprietary AutoGel hydrogel pad for easy coupling. Separate ultrasound and stimulation treatments can be provided at the same time, providing five independent treatments.
Rich-Mar
15499 E 590th Rd, Inola, OK 74036
(800) 762-4665
www.richmarweb.com
Integrated Software Module
TherAssist Software announces the release of version 7.0 and BillingStation, its own integrated AR module. This release makes TherAssist a complete EMR, capable of scheduling, documentation, and billing for multisite or multidiscipline practices looking to centralize services and seamlessly integrate with billing. TherAssist works in LAN/WAN configurations, or as an ASP. New features in version 7.0 include: Scheduler, which can scan patient information into TherAssist and search for available appointments over the next 5 days; NoteStation, which features Billing Groups, which enables you to add multiple CPT codes with one click; and BillingStation, which processes 1500, UB92’s, insurance billing, and paper forms, and enables you to bill electronic claims and keep track of receivables.
TherAssist Software LLC
791 Marion Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035
(800) 596-3646
www.therassist.com
Dry Hydrotherapy
AquaMed’s dry hydrotherapy system combines the healing power of water, heat, and massage in a single modality. The AM200 can increase blood circulation for better homeostasis, decrease muscle tension for better movement, and increase oxygen absorption in the bloodstream for better energy. The powerful pressure system is designed for heavy usage and has a water-release system for full or partial body massage, capable of deep-tissue therapy. The device is easy to monitor with instant feedback and real-time therapy adjustments.
AquaMed
15395 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760
(800) 699-1008
www.aquamed.com