Physical therapy is used for a wide range of purposes, from strengthening before surgery, recovery from an injury, help with mobility as you age, and simple preventive care to support wellness with things like core strength, good posture, balance, and range of motion.
But when it comes to physical therapy, it’s easy for people to equate “physical” with in-person.” With advances in telemedicine, however, physical therapists like the experts at Core 3 Physical Therapy can offer patients the quality care they seek with even greater convenience and flexibility
How Physical Therapists Use Telemedicine
- Online Assessments: In many cases, it is possible to have a physical therapist take your history, consult with you, assess your needs, and come up with a care plan – all through a telehealth visit. While some conditions may be more complex and require an in-office consult, if your needs are more straightforward you can save time – and gas money – doing your initial exam virtually rather than driving to an office.
- Video visitations: Video visitations are an excellent way for you to connect with your physical therapist. All you need is a good internet connection and decent lighting so the therapist can see the movements you are doing. A professional physical therapist will be able to guide you virtually in your exercises, offering direction on proper form, encouragement, and answers to any of your questions.
- Virtual monitoring of your care plan: Telemedicine offers you and your physical therapist a quick and easy way to check in with each other without frequent in-office visits. By watching you move and stretch your therapist can even track your progress, measuring markers like range of motion or your degree of mobility. If need be, your physical therapist can course correct and adjust your care plan based on these virtual observations.
Who Does Telemedicine for Physical Therapy Help?
Almost anyone can benefit from the advantages of virtual physical therapy services, but some may find it especially helpful:
- The elderly or those who have mobility issues may find it difficult to make it to repeated office visits. Telehealth offers an alternative that allows the patient to reap all of the benefits of physical therapy without leaving their homes.
- Those without transportation will enjoy the benefits of telehealth for physical therapy. Not having to arrange for a ride or wait for public transportation makes it easier to keep those regular appointments and follow through with completing your treatment plan.
- Patients who are immunocompromised or recovering from COVID may not wish to make frequent in-office visits to a health facility if it can be avoided. Telehealth provides a way for them to access care in the safety of their home environment.
- People who have more common injuries like plantar fasciitis, sports injuries, or those who are seeking general preventive care like core strengthening and improved balance may find the ease and convenience of telehealth an excellent alternative to driving into an office. The simpler the need, the easier it is to address it virtually, although professionals like those at Core 3 Physical Therapy are skilled in assessing and addressing a range of conditions through telehealth.
At Core 3 Physical Therapy, we are dedicated to giving our patients the highest quality of compassionate, personalized, and professional care in the way that suits them best – whether they come to the office for in-person visits or meet with us through telehealth services.
For more information on how physical therapists are using telehealth contact the friendly team at Core 3 Physical Therapy today!
