Sports Rehabilitation Technology
Advanced training equipment improves health and performance
Using physical therapy technology for rehabilitation is great in theory, but it means little if the clinicians aren’t fully trained on the advanced equipment or if they can’t properly glean, comprehend and explain the data the technology produces. That’s what separates us from the rest of the crowd.
Our licensed physical therapists are trained not only in instructing patients how to properly use our technology, but in interpreting what the results mean and how to implement that data to provide more efficient outcomes – which means helping you reach goals more quickly.
We use the same technology as professional and high-level college sports teams do in their rehabilitation processes, and we can break down data for comparative purposes.
Here are examples of some of the technology we use to get you back to where you want to be. Equipment can vary by site, so call ahead and talk to a physical therapist to see what’s available at your local center.
-
The basic concept of neurocognitive training is you aren’t just working to improve muscles or joints, but your brain as well. Athletes need to think and react quickly to their environments and competition, so they can’t be focused on one body part.
BlazePod, a high-performance, light-reaction training tool, helps synchronize the brain and body by having patients react to a pattern of lights. Exercises can be turned into competitions, whether it’s against a clock, a leaderboard or a personal best. It’s a perfect fit for athletes who love to compete and are attempting to return from injuries such as ankle sprains, ACL reconstruction and shoulder instability, among others.
-
This is a tool for agility and reaction testing/training that otherwise can be difficult to assess. An iPad or screen is linked to a mat with five circles, and athletes must hit the circles (often with their feet) in the pattern, sequence and speed displayed on the screen.
Quick Board is used primarily for lower-body testing but positioning can be adjusted for upper-body work, too. It can be used for the left, right and both sides of the body.
-
VALD is objective, data-driven technology that assesses strength, power and balance and is used by most professional and high-level collegiate sports teams.
The most common pieces in our centers are ForceDecks, a dual-plate system under each foot that can record balance, power, jumping height, landing force and potential asymmetries, and the DynaMo, a force gauge that can isolate specific muscles and joints and determine information such as strength and power in areas such as the hamstrings, knees and quadriceps. Both allow for a more accurate, data-centered evaluation than manual observation – the eye test – that was prevalent in the past. And more accurate data means a more thorough and effective care plan.