Remote physical therapy is also known as teletherapy or telehealth physical therapy. It allows physical therapists to provide evaluation, assessment, guidance, and treatment to patients from a distance using technology. This approach gained popularity in recent years due to its convenience and accessibility. It can be effective for a wide range of conditions and scenarios.
Here’s how remote physical therapy works and the types of conditions and treatments that can be addressed remotely:
Virtual Consultation:
Before therapy begins, we provide a virtual consultation between the patient and the physical therapist to determine if remote physical therapy can address your condition. We can conduct this via email, phone call, or video. If remote physical therapy is the right fit for you, we move on to the initial assessment.
Initial Assessment:
- Medical History and Evaluation: Via video conferencing tools, we will gather information about your medical history, current condition, and symptoms.
- Functional Assessment: We will guide you through a series of movements and tests to assess your range of motion, strength, flexibility, and functional abilities related to your primary concern/injury.
Treatment:
- Instruction on Manual Techniques: We may determine that certain manual techniques are appropriate for your treatment. These techniques can involve the aid of a towel, tennis ball, or foam roller. If you own these items, we will guide you on self-mobilization and self-myofascial release techniques.
- Movement Correction: If we find faults in any of the movements we ask you to perform (such as walking, running, squatting) we will instruct you on corrective movement patterns.
- Exercise Prescription: We will create a personalized exercise program for you. It may include stretching, strengthening, and balance exercises to address issues that are contributing to your condition.
- Education: Our sessions will involve education about your condition, self-care techniques, and strategies to manage symptoms.
- Home or Activity Modifications: We can provide recommendations for modifying your home to improve safety and accessibility, especially for patients with mobility issues. We can also recommend modifications to your daily activities that will help reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
Remote Monitoring and Feedback:
If appropriate, we can schedule regular video sessions with you to track progress, demonstrate new exercises, receive feedback, and for you to ask questions.
Communication and Support:
You are free to communicate with us through messaging platforms or email to seek guidance and clarification between scheduled sessions.
Conditions and Treatments Suitable for Remote Physical Therapy
Remote physical therapy can be effective for a wide range of conditions and treatments, including but not limited to:
- Orthopedic Injuries: Such as sprains, strains, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
- Chronic Pain Management: Including conditions like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic back pain.
- Posture and Ergonomics: Addressing pain/issues related to desk work setups.
- Sports Injury Rehabilitation: Helping athletes recover from injuries and prevent future injuries.
- Balance and Fall Prevention: Particularly important for older adults.
- Preventive Care: Teaching techniques to prevent injuries and improve overall physical fitness.
It’s important to note that while remote physical therapy is a valuable option, it may not be suitable for all cases. We may recommend in-person treatment for patients with complex conditions, or those who would benefit more from manual therapy or hands-on movement correction. If you are interested in remote therapy services, please contact us and we will help you determine if it would be appropriate for you.
