What is Telehealth Physical Therapy?
Posted November 29, 2022
How Does Telehealth PT Work?
Telehealth physical therapy has been gaining popularity in modern times. Factors that increased telehealth physical therapy are the rise of technology as a form of communication, the COVID-19 pandemic causing decreased in-person appointments, and how busy patients are.
Telehealth for physical therapy is like telemedicine with a physician. A patient and physical therapist meet virtually over a live video for evaluation and treatment of diagnoses within the scope of physical therapist practice. The patient and PT must have a mobile device, laptop, or tablet and a reliable internet connection for the visit to be successful.
You may be wondering how physical therapy, such a hands-on profession, could be successful with telehealth. Physical therapists have tools available that measure joint angles through software they use. Also, a lot of what PTs do in evaluating and treating is through observation, which can be accomplished through a high-definition video. PTs are able to pick up on weaknesses and mobility issues through movement patterns like walking and squatting.
With technology integrated into telehealth visits, PTs are able to send exercises that often have video instructions and repetition counts built in. This allows the opportunity for patients to be even more compliant with exercises and PT recommendations. Telehealth is helpful for patients who have busy schedules or that have transportation problems as a barrier to coming to a clinic.
Who Can Benefit From Telehealth
While it is true that most people can benefit from telehealth, there are a few caveats. First of all, the patient must be open to using technology and able to independently use a phone or laptop and set up a video call. In addition, patients who have balance problems or are at risk of falling may not be the best candidates for telehealth.
Patients who have neurologic problems or patients who would benefit from manual therapy the most (patients with lymphedema, frozen shoulder, and other diagnoses) should see a PT in person. Children may also benefit more from interactive, in-person physical therapy.
Telehealth is a great tool for most other patients, for at least part of their treatment plan. There is always the option to begin PT in person, then transition to telehealth as a check-up on exercises and further education down the road in the recovery process.
Telehealth has been successful for post-operative joint replacements, sports performance, overuse injuries, and many more problems. The best advantage of video visits is that it holds patients more accountable to take charge of their recovery. It’s a common problem in PT where patients tend to rely on seeing their PT in person, especially with manual therapy techniques such as massage.
What to Expect From Your First Telehealth Visit
Your physical therapy telehealth evaluation will likely be your first visit. Your PT will first ask you a history of your problem, such as how it started, factors that increase or decrease symptoms, and how it affects your daily life. You will then be asked to perform a series of movements so your PT can identify any weak or poorly performing muscle groups or joints. Your PT will explain to you why they think you are having the problem that you are and educate you on activities to avoid and any pain control strategies you can try right off the bat.
If you are transitioning from in-person visits to telehealth or have already had an evaluation, your PT will work with you on treatment visits. This will include exercises, self-mobilization activities using materials around your home, pain control strategies, and even adjusting part of your home setup to be conducive to injury healing.
Rest assured – if your PT is offering a telehealth visit, they know how to make you successful in this format. You will be receiving comparable care as you would with an in-person visit.
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