Why Are Parallel Bars Essential in Physical Therapy?

When it comes to physiotherapy equipment, parallel bars are some of the simplest in design, but also the most effective. Highly customisable and able to assist in many different training regimens, they are a common sight across many different physio clinics in Australia.

But what makes them so useful as rehabilitation products, and what exactly do they help with? We’re going to dive into these questions so you know exactly what you’ll get out of a set of parallel bars, should you choose to purchase some for your own use.

Choosing Parallel Bars for Your Needs

Parallel bars seem pretty simple from the outside two straight bars running parallel to each other that are bolted into the ground for stability. However, they can actually come with several different features that you should keep in mind when choosing one.

1. Material choice: Generally, parallel bars for rehab purposes will come with either wooden or metal bars.

• Wooden bars feel warm and textured when used, and their colour is often a welcome sight amongst the greys and blacks of most other physiotherapy equipment.
• Stainless steel bars are smooth, cool and very easy to clean. Ones made from 304 medical-grade steel are ideal for medical environments.

2. Electric or manual: Professionally-made parallel bars will be able to have their height adjusted thanks to their telescopic legs. However, the method through which you do this can depend on whether you buy a manual or an electric model.

• Manual bars will require you to adjust the legs by cranking the wheel, moving them up or down, and then tightening the wheel to lock them in place.
• Electric bars can be raised or lowered through the use of a remote.

3. Fixed or folding: Parallel bars can come with a base that offers extra stability, but also means the width cannot be changed.

• Fixed parallel bars must be bolted into the ground separately, allowing you to set them as wide as you need.
• Folding parallel bars come at a preset width, but many can be custom-built to the width of your choice.

With many lengths and heights available, you’ll be able to find the right set of parallel bars at a reputable supplier like Access Health.

How Parallel Bars Can Assist in Physiotherapy

What makes this type of physiotherapy equipment so useful? Their simple design and adjustability make them a key part of many different types of rehabilitation, from simple movements to intensive exercises.

Gait Training

‘Gait training’ refers to physiotherapy used to help patients stand and walk. It’s often used for patients who:

• Have been immobile for a long period of time due to illness or injury.
• Have had a limb amputated
• Have suffered a serious injury to their spine, hips, or legs
• Have had a stroke or are suffering from a different type of neurological disorder
• Have muscular dystrophy or another similar condition

Gait training can be used for improving posture, strengthening muscles, building endurance, and increasing mobility, all to prevent the chance of falls and improve your quality of life after the rehab is complete.

Balance Training

Balance can be lost for a number of reasons, and parallel bars can be very useful for people looking to improve their balance through practice and exercises. By standing in between the bars, users can perform balancing exercises safely, with multiple points to hold onto and protection against falling in most directions.

Parallel bars can be used for balance-strengthening exercises like calf raises, single-leg stands, line walking, or something as simple as shifting your weight from one foot to the other.

Balance training is often incorporated into gait training; however, it is also important as a standalone exercise for older people, as good balance can be key to preventing dangerous falls.

Strength Training

Using parallel bars during strength training can assist you in maintaining your balance and form, or they can also simply be used as part of a full exercise programme. Strength training isn’t just for athletes, either. You can benefit from strength training if:

• You are preparing for surgery. If possible, building muscles around the site of your future surgery can help your body support the area in question once it is immobile, helping you recover more easily.
• You are a woman nearing menopause. If you know you’re approaching perimenopause, your fluctuating hormones will mean that your muscles no longer grow and repair as easily as they used to. By focusing on strength training, you can continue to enjoy life as you have, while also improving bone density and helping protect yourself from osteoporosis in the future.
• You are retired and want to stay independent. By keeping moving and maintaining lean muscle mass, you can help prevent your risk of falls and, if you do fall, lessen the chances of damage. Protecting your bones with muscle-strengthening exercises can be key to staying independent!

Exercises you can perform for strength training and muscle building using parallel bars can vary depending on if you want to use the bars for balance or as an actual component of the exercise.

• Exercises like squats, lunges, single-arm weight lifts, and weighted calf raises can all be performed using the parallel bars for support and to maintain balance.
• Exercises like angled push-ups, dips, leg raises (single or double), and pull-ups all use the parallel bars as a key component of the exercise.

When performing strength training for physiotherapy, your practitioner will guide you on using the bars with the correct form and how many reps you need to do as you build. Make sure not to push yourself beyond their instructions, as this could lead to injury and set back your progress.

Parallel Bars at Access Health

If you want parallel bars for use as physiotherapy equipment, you can explore a great range right here at Access Health. Our walking rails come in a range of preset sizes, or you can order a custom size to suit the specific needs of your clinic and clients.

Fixed

Fixed parallel bars can have their width adjusted to suit different patients and the use of extra equipment like steps or a wheelchair. They will need to be bolted securely into the ground before use. We offer fixed walking rails made from either wood or stainless steel for sale, both with adjustable heights from 70mm to 100mm in 25mm increments.

Folding

Folding parallel bars come with a flat base that prevents them from being widened or narrowed–but this also offers extra stability and means you don’t need to worry about lining them up when you move them around. But like with their fixed counterparts, they still need to be bolted down for safety. These can also be adjusted as 25mm increments for heights between 70mm and 100mm, and come in wooden and stainless steel varieties.

Elevate Your Parallel Bars Rehab With Other Equipment

If you have a clinic you are looking to outfit, we encourage you to explore our wide range of physio equipment for sale through our physiotherapy, gym & home fitness, and rehab supplies categories. With a huge variety of products, brands and prices, we’re confident you can find what you need in our stocks.

Browse Physio Equipment for Sale at Access Health

No matter the type of rehabilitation products you need for your clinic, you’ll be able to find a great range of high-quality, professionally-tested equipment and tools at Access Health. And if you can’t? We’re known for going the extra mile to help our customers find what they need!

Browse our catalogue online, or feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or need help finding something. You can call us on 9878 1399 or 1300 659 540 or use our online form to leave us a message.

Disclaimer: Access Health is not qualified to agree or deny whether this content is correct. For accurate information, consult your medical professional or provider.