As the largest outpatient physical therapy provider, Upstream Rehabilitation is passionate about evaluating and utilizing the latest technology in this ever-evolving field of physical therapy to ensure we’re consistently striving to provide quality care to patients. One innovation that is making waves is Figur8, a cutting-edge solution designed to revolutionize how we as clinicians assess and enhance movement health.
Figur8 is one of the many exciting technologies and tools we’re piloting across Upstream Rehabilitation as we work towards continual improvement and enhanced patient outcomes in our pursuit of clinical excellence.
Learn more about what Figur8 is, its significance in physical therapy, and how it can elevate patient care throughout this field, and see why you should work for an organization like Upstream Rehabilitation if you’re passionate about a career in physical therapy.
What is Figur8?
Figur8 is an advanced technology platform that utilizes state-of-the-art wearable sensors and powerful software to provide an in-depth analysis and further understanding of human movement from objective measures. It is designed to give physical therapists, sports trainers, and other healthcare professionals insights on the biomechanics of their patients. By using Figur8, physical therapists can capture the data necessary to curate more accurate assessments and personalized treatment plans for their patients.
Importance of Figur8 in Physical Therapy
For physical therapy professionals, the ability to accurately assess and monitor patients’ movement is crucial. While traditional assessment methods can still be used to tend to patients’ needs, there may be limitations in precision and repeatability which can affect the quality of the care that they receive. Figur8 is one of the technologies we’re piloting which addresses these challenges by providing data that not only helps to create a more accurate baseline to build from, but also helps to facilitate addressing the pains and conditions that patients may be experiencing more precisely.
Enhancing Patient Assessments
With Figur8, physical therapists can gain precise measurements of joint angles, muscle activation, and movement patterns. This level of detail allows for more accurate diagnoses and the ability to track progress over time. As an example, when working with a patient recovering from a knee injury, a therapist can use Figur8 to measure improvements in range of motion and muscle strength with pinpoint accuracy.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Once accurate data is obtained from Figur8 wearables and verified by other evaluation methods, a personalized treatment plan can be created for the patient. Physical therapists can use the data alongside other measurements and assessments to tailor strategies like exercises and other interventions to the unique needs and goals of each patient, which can also ensure that rehabilitation is both effective and efficient. This personalized approach not only speeds up recovery but also operates as a great way to reduce the risk of re-injury for the future by addressing those biomechanic issues that may have been identified.
Evidence-Based Decision-Making
Evidence-based decision making plays an important role in making sure that we’re continually striving to provide the best quality of care to our patients. PTs in our pilot locations can use the detailed reports curated by Figur8 to demonstrate the effectiveness of their interventions to patients and other important stakeholders.
The Future of Physical Therapy with Technology
The integration of technology like Figur8 into physical therapy represents a significant opportunity to continually improve patient outcomes and push clinical excellence forward. As technology continues to evolve, the potential applications may expand, and create more opportunities for physical therapists globally to improve patient care. At Upstream Rehabilitation, we continually strive to further enhance objective patient assessments, provide more personalized care, and provide support for clinical decision-making with a myriad of data. This not only improves patient outcomes but also elevates the standard of care in the profession. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, Upstream is committed to evaluating new technology that empowers our PTs and OTs, and helps us ensure we’re staying on top of new trends and technologies to provide the best possible care to patients.
Join the Revolution at Upstream Rehabilitation
If you’re a physical therapy professional or a recent graduate looking to make a meaningful impact in your career, consider joining Upstream Rehabilitation. We’re actively seeking qualified healthcare professionals for nationwide PT positions. Upstream Rehabilitation is committed to pushing the physical therapy industry forward as we pursue continual improvement in patient outcomes and are passionate about piloting new technology and tools to improve patient care. If you are interested, please visit the Upstream Rehabilitation Careers page, to learn more about available physical therapy job opportunities and see how you can contribute to the future of physical therapy by applying to both clinical and non-clinical roles within the physical therapy industry at Upstream.
- “The Measure of MSK Improvement – FIGUR8.” FIGUR8, 2024, www.figur8tech.com/. Accessed 11 Aug. 2024.
- “FIGUR8 – MIT Media Lab.” MIT Media Lab, 2019, www.media.mit.edu/posts/figur8-2/#:~:text=In%20just%20minutes%2C%20clinicians%20can. Accessed 11 Aug. 2024.
