Choosing the Right Physical Therapy Parallel Bars System for Your Facility

• Choose bars that support your patients’ sizes, conditions, and rehab goals.
• Choose a style that fits your space—fixed, wall-mounted, folding, or portable.
• Decide between manual or motorized adjustments based on staff workflow.
• Prioritize safety, stability, durability, and appropriate weight capacity.
• Compare dimensions, materials, and cost to pick the best overall fit.

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Parallel bars are used for rehabilitation and physical therapy and are essential medical devices that support your patients as they seek to improve impaired physical abilities. This includes standing, walking, strength, coordination, and balance.

You will find that there are a myriad of designs, specifications, and features available that are tailor-made for the different patients.

This equipment is used in acute rehabilitation facilities, long-term care facilities, inpatient rehabilitation centers and outpatient facilities, as well as at nursing homes, and at hospitals.

In choosing the right physical therapy bars, you will be considering your patient’s rehab needs. This would include, for example, assessing the specific rehab requirements of your patient population, and determining how their rehab needs can be best met. Also to be factored in for the right parallel bar systems are the adjustable height and width, durability, and weight capacity. You also need to think about the amount of money that you are willing to allocate toward this purchase.

Key features to look for in physical therapy parallel bars include a heavy-duty design for safety, durability, and stability through a solid base or mounting system. You might also consider platform-mounted options for your clinic or folding models for limited space. 

Selecting the Ideal Style of Parallel Bars for Your Facility

Parallel bars are designed to provide the safe support that patients with different heights, weights, and needs require as they undergo exercise regimens during their rehabilitation.

Give serious thought to these aspects of use as you plan your purchase:

• Ability to accommodate patients in wheelchairs.
• Amount of available therapy space.
• Staff requirements for equipment use.
• Budget.
• Ability to accommodate bariatric patients.
• Ability to accommodate small, young children. 

With respect to staff requirements, it is important to keep in mind that there are manual and motorized styles. For example, if the bar height needs frequent adjustments, the motorized version of the medical-use exerciser might be more practical than equipment that requires manual adjustments.

Space is also important to think about. If the equipment needs to fit in a small space, a 7-foot platform will fit better than a 15-foot platform. Some facilities will need to store the parallel bars when not in use or not regularly used. In this instance, purchasing a folding or stow-away unit should be considered. 

Other Key Factors to Consider

Patient Needs

•    Accommodating different patient sizes:  You’ll want to look for adjustable height and
      width to cater to varying body types, including children to bariatric patients.
•    Specific Conditions:  Be sure that the parallel bars support a patient’s rehabilitation
    objectives as they pertain to gait training, balance, and strength. 

Facility Considerations 

       1. Space: It is important to select platform-mounted options for folding models for multi-use rooms.

      2. Budget: Thoroughly evaluate prices and place utmost importance on durability and safety features over a lower initial cost. 

      3. Staff Needs: For your physical and occupational therapists, consider ease of use for parallel bars. Also factor in safety features like therapist-controlled adjustments that reduce the need for additional safety devices. 

Features

• Adjustability: Look for models that are equipped with easy-to-use height and width adjustments, which typically feature spring-loaded plungers and numbered height strips.
• Integrated Systems: There are some modern parallel bars that can be integrated with other treatment platforms for a seamless transition between rehab exercises.
• Handrail Surface: Enjoy enhanced comfort and grip with flat-top or wooden handrails. 

Durability and Safety 

• Stability: Make sure that the base is stable to prevent wobbling, and investigate if it can be securely mounted if necessary.
• Construction: You will want to opt for heavy-duty designs that are made with durable materials such as stainless steel or reinforced wood.
• Weight Capacity: Confirm the model’s weight capacity to be sure it can safely support all patients. 

Understanding the Specifications of Parallel Bars

Parallel bars come in various sizes, materials, and functionalities. These include the following:

Length – Standard lengths include 7-foot, 9-foot, 10-foot, and 12-foot.

Width – Widths range from 15 inches to 28 inches. The equipment may have a fixed width or the width may be adjustable with motorized handrails.

Height – Units with adjustable handrail heights offer 10 height positions that range from 27 inches to 42 inches. The handrails are raised on telescoping uprights in increments of 1 ½ inches. Fail-safe locking mechanisms are added for safety. Units also come with motorized height adjustments with manual crank override, or manual only.

Platform Width – The standard platform width is 38 inches.

Permanent or Portable – There are some platforms that are attached to the floor or wall, while others are not attached and can be moved.

Posts (non-motorized) – The posts are 1 ½ inches in diameter. There are four to six posts to support the handrails.

Clearance Between Uprights – The standard clearance between uprights is 30 inches.

Materials – Materials include heavy-gauge powder-coated steel that is used in the uprights and fittings. Platforms are hardwood or covered in textured gray styrene. There are some vendors that offer platforms covered in carpet.

Weight Capacity – Though some units support as much as 350 pounds, the standard weight support is 400 pounds. There are units designed for bariatric patients that can support up to 500 pounds. 

Cost Consideration for Parallel Bars

It is best to compare prices and consider how the initial investment will offer value based on your facility’s needs and anticipated usage. Electric models are far more expensive and less portable.

Barihab™ Parallel Bar System Offers Reliable, Space-Saving Solution for Therapy Sessions 

The Barihab™ Parallel Bar System is ideally suited for any type of rehabilitation facility and is highly versatile in its function. The stainless steel parallel bars are adjustable in height and width. They can be quickly stored and accessed on their rolling cart, and seamlessly inserted into any Barihab™ treatment table and SSG Trainer, replacing the transfer bars without hassle.

The versatile design of the Barihab™ Parallel Bars includes a movable safety seat that follows the patient as they progress through their exercises, offering essential support and a place to rest if they become fatigued. The patient’s familiarity with the Barihab™ product and routine, combined with the parallel bars’ unique features and ergonomic design, meets the diverse needs of patients and therapists alike.

Patient Needs, Space, and Cost Should Be Top Priorities for Choosing Parallel Bars For Your Rehab Facility

In order to effectively select the right physical therapy parallel bars for your healthcare facility, it is best to evaluate your patients’ rehab needs. Know the type of exercises that your patients will typically undergo, and apply that information to your parallel bars purchase. Also consider the size of your patients. For example, bariatric patients will require a different parallel bars system.

The space available at your facility is also highly relevant when it comes to deciding which type of parallel bars you will need. Consider the proper dimensions of the parallel bars that will best fit your space.

Choose a parallel bar system that provides the most value within your budget, while offering the best benefits for your patients and is user-friendly for your staff.