Telehealth Physical Therapy

How telehealth appointments are opening new opportunities in physical therapy.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many physical therapy clinics to start offering telehealth appointments. As concern about the pandemic has faded, telehealth appointments are slowly becoming less popular, but they can offer great benefits for both the physical therapist and the client. For patients who may have difficulty getting out of the house, are not able to drive, or live in rural areas, telehealth appointments can be much more preferable compared to in-person visits. Telehealth visits can also be preferable for patients who simply need quick check-ins, clarifications on exercises, or accountability for exercise programs. 

In addition to virtual appointments, many physical therapy clinics are moving away from printed exercise programs, and now use different apps and programs to set up digital exercise plans for their patients. Online options often offer portals where patients can message their provider if they have any questions, rather than waiting for an in-person visit. Most of the programs have features that allow patients to check off completion of exercises to make sure they are staying on track with their recovery. These plans can also be changed by providers as the patient is ready for more complex exercises and challenges, without the patient having to go in-person. 

Through telehealth appointments, the physical therapist can get a unique look into a patient’s home environment. This allows a physical therapist to evaluate any potential issues that could arise based on the way a patient’s home is set up. It could be the positioning of a seat in a car, the type of chair being used in an office, or the types of pillows you use when you sleep. These are all examples of things a physical therapist could look at and then advise the patient on how to change their setup in order to achieve the best environment for their needs. 

For patients who need manual work (similar to deep tissue massage), dry needling, or lack access to exercise equipment, telehealth appointments are not be the best option. However, the expanding acceptance of telehealth appointments has offered a great benefit to many patients, and can be a powerful tool to use in the recovery process.