As we move into the second decade of the 21st century, technology continues to move forward at blinding speed. Yet even I was surprised (actually, I laughed out loud) the first time I heard about a robot designed to treat back pain. But I soon found out this was no joke.
It works so well that athletes from every major sports league swear by it. In fact, several teams have purchased their own robots for use right in the locker room to keep their players in top form. Yet therapy sessions with the robot are affordable for almost anyone and are even covered by some insurance plans.
How the Therbo Robotic Arm works
Now before you get the wrong idea, this isn’t some self-controlled machine running on artificial intelligence. Rather it’s a highly specialized tool called a Therbo Robotic Arm guided by a human physical therapist.
Part of why this robotic therapy, sometimes called Meilus Robotic Therapy after the robot’s inventor Al Meilus, is so effective is because it follows the same principles as Muscle Balance Therapy. Al’s background as a GE automation engineer prior to entering the field of physical therapy helped him recognize that muscle imbalances are the root cause of a significant percentage of back pain, sciatica and other pain complaints.
By using the robot to apply highly specific and consistent pressure, the Therbo causes overly tight muscles to relax and actually lengthen on the spot. By relieving pressure from the taut muscle many patients report immediate relief from back pain, sciatica, migraines, shoulder pain, and many other types of pain. It has proven to be a very effective complementary pain treatment for many types of pain.
