What is Online Physiotherapy and is it right for YOU?
Are you experiencing pain that requires Physiotherapy treatment? BUT can’t go to the clinic. You may be living in a remote area or stuck at home or afraid to go out due to current crazy circumstances.
Are you trying different solutions to relieve pain or doing random exercises by asking Dr. Google? Well, you’re not alone…
In fact, right at the beginning of the pandemic I was contacted by a returning patient. They had developed a new injury to their wrist, and were dismayed when they could not come right into clinic. In addition, the pain was being made worse by the switch to working from home. After a couple of online physiotherapy sessions, the patient was feeling much better!
What is Online Physiotherapy?
It is nothing but meeting your Physiotherapist via video call, just like Facetime or Zoom call. However, these video calls are on a completely secure line to make sure your health information is not leaked. Online Physiotherapy is also known as Virtual Physiotherapy or tele-rehabilitation.
How does Online Physiotherapy work?
We want your Online Physiotherapy experience to be as seamless as possible! So how does it work?
First, to do the video call you will need use of a smartphone, tablet or computer which can be connected to the internet. Don’t worry, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to connect!
Secondly, just like your In-person visit you will be able to see your therapist and have them explain everything about your condition or problem. In fact, your physiotherapist will be able to do detailed assessment just like in clinic! They will walk you through performing the assessment tests, and use that to determine your diagnosis!
And finally, it will be time for a treatment plan! Your treatment can include online, in clinic, or a combination of treatments. You and your therapist will work together to decide what’s best for you!
Why is Online Physiotherapy important?
It can play an important role in your care plan and recovery. It allows you to still receive the highest possible quality of care from a remote location, or when you simply cannot make it into clinic!
For instance, there are numerous conditions treated with online Physiotherapy including:
- Arthritis pain
- Back/Neck pain
- Shoulder Injuries
- Knee pain
- Concussions/Vestibular issues
- Overuse Injuries
Subsequently, after an assessment with your therapist, you can dive right into treatment. Based on your diagnosis the therapist will provide you education on the condition and a plan. Through the video stream, the therapist is able to demonstrate exercises and treatment techniques, as well as watch you perform them on yourself to ensure proper and safe form!
Just like In-person visit, there are many benefits of Online physiotherapy:
- Detailed Assessment
- Custom treatment plan
- Education re: Activity Modification
- At home manual treatment techniques
- Individualized Exercise Program
Most of the time, your problem can be solved by speaking with a professionals. For example, our therapists will guide you through how to manage your symptoms without getting too stressed.
Just like my patient with wrist pain, online physiotherapy can help you feel better in no time at all. In fact, with custom exercises, home desk set up modification, and guided manual therapy, all it took was 4 weeks of treatment for them to feel better!
For example, here is a home mobilization technique your physiotherapist could teach you for the elbow!
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What does Online Physiotherapy look like?
By now, you already know what online physiotherapy is and how it works. Now let me take you through some of the examples of it, which will provide you better understanding.
Exercises:
Exercise is an important piece of many physiotherapy treatment plans. Similarly to when you are in clinic, your physiotherapist will demonstrate the exercise for you to perform, and provide real time feedback for you to do it correctly.
What does an exercise demonstration look like? Check out our Instagram post below!
Unlike exercise videos shown on Instagram, the Physiotherapist prescribed exercises will be specific and tailored to you. And above all, your physiotherapist will watch you perform them to ensure proper form. The last thing you want is to perform the exercise incorrectly and have it make the condition worse!
Education:
Just like the exercises, education plays a vital role in your recovery. In fact, every video call with your Physiotherapist will include lots of education. This can be in the form of knowing about your condition and how to manage it effectively.
Further, your therapist will tell you what activities you need to stop or alter, and what habits may be contributing to your problem. For example, poor home workout form, work habits, and even sitting/standing habits! Education will also lead to training on proper Ergonomics!
Ergonomic Training
In this era of working from home has created many new problems for the back, shoulder, neck and other body areas.
In fact, early 2020 lead to a large percentage of the workforce suddenly shifting to working from home, often without a good desk set up. After that, weeks turned into months, turned into years… and those bad habits started to build up on the body. An ergonomic workstation design is very useful for preventing pain and overuse injuries from sitting at the desk.
This can include proper monitors, laptop stands, sit to stand desks, external keyboard and mouse, a document holder, chair adjustments, and MORE! So many little factors that may need to be adjusted. And most importantly, we are not all the same size, and you may need custom recommendations based on your size and work demands!
Want some recommendations now? Check out our blog on Smart Tips For Preventing Desk Related Body Pain!
So, no matter where you are, and what condition are you in, you will always have access to Physiotherapy online! If you would like more information on Online Physiotherapy, click here to book a free discovery session and give it a try!
FAQ
How does online physiotherapy differ from an in-person appointment?
Actually both are very similar. Just like in-person service, your physiotherapist requires to meet all regulatory and legislative standards of practice and code of conduct. You will get the same high quality care as in-person care.
Who can benefit from an online physiotherapy session?
Every condition that can be treated by physiotherapy can be treated virtually. Although treatment may look different, the benefit of speaking with an expert to be guided in your own self- treatment is always beneficial, regardless of the condition.
Does insurance cover virtual physiotherapy?
Yes! Online physiotherapy is recognized as physiotherapy services and can be billed to your insurance company in the same way in person sessions are billed.