How Telehealth Physical Therapy Works: An All-Inclusive Guide

Physical therapy can do wonders for musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain, stroke recovery, and many other conditions. But what happens when life circumstances make it challenging to access these crucial services? Enter telehealth physical therapy — the virtual version of physical therapy that has become increasingly popular. Take a deep dive and see how it works.

For starters, telehealth physical therapy allows patients to communicate with their therapists without being in the same room. It's done via video conferencing or live chat and can even be conducted through phone calls. Patients essentially receive physical therapy treatment from their homes.

However, to get started, the patient will require a few pieces of equipment such as a smartphone, tablet,/desktop computer, reliable internet connection, and any related tools as recommended by their physical therapist (weights, resistance bands, etc.). Set-up can be done on various platforms depending on the healthcare providers' preferences.

The benefits of telehealth physical therapy are countless. It is accessible, convenient, and cost-effective and avoids potential cancellations due to bad weather or traffic. Additionally, it allows for monitoring of progress regularly and treatment modifications if required, as well as video recordings of therapy sessions that patients can refer back to if necessary.

However, it is worth noting that telehealth physical therapy may not be suitable for everyone or every condition. Patients whose conditions require limited manual therapy or those who require a more intensive therapy experience may not get the same benefits they would in regular physical therapy sessions. Telehealth physical therapy is also not recommended for emergencies.

Telehealth physical therapy sessions are similar to traditional physical therapy sessions with a few key differences. Patients will undergo an initial evaluation in the first session, where the therapist will ask about the medical history, current symptoms, and medications to set goals and plan an individualized treatment plan. The therapist may also ask patients to complete a series of movements during the session or conduct these movements before to assess progress and give new goals to work towards.

Telehealth physical therapy is an innovative way of delivering physical therapy services right where it matters the most — your home. With telehealth physical therapy taking off and rapidly gaining traction, it is here to stay. Telehealth physical therapy is beneficial and cost-effective and can even be more agreeable for some people who need physical therapy but may be concerned about visiting a clinic in person. Contact a physical therapist to learn more about telehealth physical therapy. 

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