As the baby boomer generation continues to age, so does the demand for geriatric physical therapy. Finding effective rehabilitation solutions for aging patients at your PT clinic is an ever-evolving strategy. Patients with muscle weakness need productive, long-term strategies for rebuilding their strength with age.
To respond to a growing senior population, clinicians have turned to cutting-edge technology: the NEUBIE. This innovative electrical stimulation device is not only pioneering advancements in neuromuscular capabilities but also setting new standards in the fields of aging and neurological function.
>> Learn more about the NEUBIE Effect with this free guide
The Challenge in Treating the Aging Population at Your Physical Therapy Practice
Muscle strength naturally declines as you age. The obvious answer to this decline is exercise. Unfortunately, aging patients cannot always follow traditional PT exercise programs because of limited mobility, pain and other complications.
The primary challenge in treating the aging population at your PT practice is finding a way to stimulate muscle recovery and strength without harming sensitive joints, tissues, nerves or other pre-existing injuries. Essentially, you must offer low-impact exercises targeting key muscle groups while preserving the integrity of everything else.
Targeting the Underlying Cause of Muscle Weakness in Aging Patients
A research study involving 66 adults in their 70s sought to target the root cause of muscle weakness in the aging population. The study used electrical stimulation to measure muscle engagement. Essentially, if the muscle produced more force after stimulation, then the strength limitations observed were not directly related to the muscle's intrinsic integrity.
The study discovered that participants with weak muscles responded more to the electrical stimulation. The group of severely weak participants saw a 14.2% increase in post-stimulation force, double the strong group's rate.
Because of these results, the study concluded that the underlying cause of muscle weakness in aging patients is not related to muscle deterioration but rather the nervous system. In light of this conclusion, the research suggests that electrical stimulation provides the most effective therapy for aging patients, which brings us to NEUBIE for muscle strength and aging.
The Solution: Using Innovative PT Technology To Restrengthen Aging Muscles
The NEUBIE (Neuro-Bio-Electric) stimulator is an advanced e-stim device that can identify and treat neurological functions for fast recovery, improved functionality and ideal strength. Electrical pulses mimic the natural signals from the patient’s neurons to target muscle stimulation. As a result, the e-stim device stimulates effective muscle contractions through the nervous system for targeted restrengthening.
NEUBIE therapy has be shown to:
- Increase blood circulation
- Prevent muscle atrophy
- Reduce muscle spasms
- Relieve chronic pain
- Prevent deep vein thrombosis
- Manage acute pain from surgery or trauma
With the NEUBIE’s advanced e-stim therapy, aging patients can build muscle strength and combat deterioration by targeting the root cause of muscle loss, the neuromuscular system. The innovative method allows patients to achieve new levels of strength without putting their joints through painful exercises that could worsen their conditions.
Research Backing New E-Stim Technology
In recent years, the potential of the NEUBIE device has garnered significant attention from researchers and clinicians alike. A groundbreaking study conducted by the University of South Florida underscored its transformative capabilities.
The findings of this study suggest that muscle growth isn't solely dependent on exercise intensity, rather on adequate muscle activation and fatigue.
LEFT: Jason Waz with Dr. Sam Buckner (middle) the lead researcher and Dr. Bill Campbell the Director of Performance and Physique Enhancement Laboratory at USF. RIGHT: Teaching the USF Research Team
This means that patients no longer have to be constrained by traditional high-load exercises. They can achieve maximal muscle growth using e-stim devices like the NEUBIE. Especially for geriatric patients, the NEUBIE promises effective muscle training without the risk to ligaments, tendons and joints
Overwhelming research supports the effectiveness of e-stim technology in improving muscular strength and function. Across clinical research studies, e-stim devices successfully improved muscular strength by 1% and muscular function by 10% to 15% after five to six weeks of treatment.
In a four-month study spread over 48 sessions on patients over the age of 75, electromyostimulation (EMS) increased the rectus femoris cross-sectional area (the muscles that flex the knee and the hip joint) by an average of 30%. The study found that EMS improved anabolic pathways (energy generation) while preventing the breakdown of cells.
All studies tend to conclude that e-stim therapy is effective and safe for human patients. In particular, the NEUBIE stands out in the domain of e-stim with its innovative approach. Not only does it automatically adjust to a patient’s needs, but it also offers a superior level of precision, making it even more effective than other e-stim devices currently available on the market.
Schedule a Free NEUBIE Assessment with NeuPTtech
For clinicians aiming to stay at the forefront of innovative rehabilitation solutions, incorporating the NEUBIE into their practice can provide unparalleled benefits, not only for their aging patients but also to enhance the overall efficiency and reputation of the clinic.
Learn more about NEUBIE for muscle strength and aging by scheduling a free ROI assessment to see how we can transform your clinic. Contact NeuPTtech today at (813) 849-0150 to schedule a free assessment or shop for NEUBIE devices online.
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