4 Physical Therapy Apps That Speed Healing

PT is an acronym I've heard too often in my life. I've been in physical therapy to heal from a number of injuries: broken femur, broken clavicle, broken ankle (2x), torn labrum, torn meniscus, to account for only the major injuries I've suffered.

And I know too well how the process of PT goes. At first, you stick to your exercises religiously, and then, as the days go on and you begin to feel better, your devotion wanes.

A number of apps address various stages and temperaments in the process of healing yourself. Below are a few that can help you heal and, more importantly, remind you that you need to keep healing. Having these tools in your hands can help make the journey to a better life that much more accessible.

Muscle Trigger Points

Working out the trigger points (aka knots) in your muscles with direct pressure has surprisingly drastic results. Triggers themselves do not usually hurt until pressure is placed upon them; they generally refer pain to the extremities of the muscle, which can be very deceptive when making an assessment of the origin of your pain. This wonderful app gives you a roadmap of the most common trigger points, introducing you to an important modality in self-healing and therapy.

Motion Doctor

This on-the-go app features 60 videos showing you how to correctly stretch certain muscles and muscle groups in your body. Written instructions and spoken narratives not only help you get into the stretch and inform you of the benefits, but give you an idea of how long you should maintain each position. Being empowered with the knowledge of what areas of your body to stretch leads to fantastic results.

SpineDecide

If you have any spinal issues -- conditions include cervical bulge, scoliosis, lumbar herniation, degenerative disc disease and more -- this app offers you four areas of expertise: anatomy, conditions, best forms of therapy and where to find a specialist. Vivid and clean images and expert advice make this app a great place to turn for any spinal issues, informing you of what is and is not possible in your quest to heal.

Goniometer

Ok, getting a little geeky on this one, but well worth it. A Goniometer is a ruler-looking tool that measures angles to determine your range of motion. This app helps you discover the extent of your injury, yet the real value for the home user is continually testing your range to see how progress is going. It also tells you your expected speed of recovery, which is a great way to measure up your actual progress with what is common.

 

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