COURTESY OF DR. RENEE MORAN, PT, DPT, CLINICAL DIRECTOR, FYZICAL THERAPY & BALANCE CENTERS EASTERN MAINE

One of the things I hear most often from patients in their 60s, 70s, and beyond is, “I know I’m getting older, but I don’t want to stop doing the things I love.”

And you shouldn’t have to.

As we age, arthritis, previous injuries, joint replacements, muscle weakness, and changes in our nervous system can affect how we move. At FYZICAL, one tool we can use alongside traditional physical therapy is the Neubie.

What Is the Neubie? The Neubie is an FDA-cleared electrical stimulation device that uses direct current and can be incorporated into exercises and movements during physical therapy. It can be used for neuromuscular re-education, maintaining or increasing range of motion, preventing muscle atrophy, increasing circulation, and managing pain.

What makes it exciting is that we can use it while you’re actively working toward a functional goal.

What Could That Look Like After 60? For someone with knee osteoarthritis, pain may lead to less walking and, over time, weaker muscles. We may incorporate the Neubie into strengthening exercises to improve muscle activation and reinforce better movement.

For recurring back discomfort and stiffness, the goal isn’t necessarily to change what an X-ray shows. It’s to help you bend, walk, and perform everyday activities more comfortably. The Neubie may complement treatment focused on mobility, strength, and movement patterns.

After a knee or hip replacement, swelling, pain, and decreased activity can make it difficult to get certain muscles working normally again. Neuromuscular re-education can help rebuild strength and confidence as you return to walking, climbing stairs, and daily activities.

We also see adults with shoulder pain who struggle to reach into a cupboard, put on a jacket, or sleep comfortably. In appropriate patients, the Neubie can complement hands-on treatment and therapeutic exercise as we work to restore strength and movement.

For adults experiencing peripheral neuropathy, including numbness, tingling, pain, or altered sensation in the feet, Neubie-specific research involving participants with diabetic peripheral neuropathy has shown promising results when combined with physical therapy.

Technology Is Only Part of the Treatment. The Neubie isn’t a magic wand, and it doesn’t replace good physical therapy. Your therapist still evaluates what’s causing your difficulty and develops an individualized treatment plan. For some patients, the Neubie may help us get more out of those exercises.

My goal isn’t simply to help you hurt less. It’s to help you maintain your independence and keep gardening, golfing, traveling, playing with your grandchildren, walking the dog, or confidently navigating the stairs.

Whether you’re already receiving PT or dealing with everyday aches, stiffness, or changes in mobility, you don’t have to wait for things to get worse.

Schedule a physical therapy evaluation at FYZICAL today. We’ll identify what may be contributing to your symptoms, develop a plan around your goals, and discuss whether adding the Neubie as an optional enhancement may be appropriate for you.