The way we function in this day and age continues to rapidly change. Our lives become busier in different ways, and technology advances in order to simplify the process for all of us. Luckily, telehealth has become a major breakthrough in accommodating far more people. Individuals can meet with a healthcare professional from their computer or their phone at any time of day, from anywhere in the world. One of the services that now has major telehealth support is physical therapy! Physical therapists can meet with clients via video conferencing software and guide you through the workouts from home. So, whether you are in between meetings, household chores, or anything in between, you can schedule a PT session virtually and still work hard to maintain your health and well-being. According to studies, only around 30% of patients actually attend all of their physical therapy sessions (7). Virtual PT can fill the gap in attendance, helping patients get to recovery faster.

In general, physical therapy on its own, whether in-person or virtual, is extremely beneficial. For those who have recently had surgery, you can easily let your muscles and joints become too stiff from the lack of movement during the recovery process. Physical therapy can get you moving again, increasing your rate of recovery, and pushing you further toward a better quality of life and normality again. You will be able to build your strength back up and increase your overall flexibility (3). Physical therapy is also highly personalized, with plans and treatments that are catered to the unique needs of every patient (3). Lastly, physical therapy helps patients ease up on medication dependency (3). It is easy to use pain medication, and other forms of medication, to relieve pain or inflammation in the body. However, medication can cause side effects overtime that may be adding to any discomfort or pain experienced by the patient (3).

Don’t worry about having to do the physical therapy from home, because research has your back on its effectiveness. A study that was published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that virtual physical therapy sessions were just as effective as traditional care for patients, especially those who were recovering from knee injuries (2). Additionally, the Musculoskeletal Journal of Hospital for Special Surgery found that whether it is home physical therapy or clinic physical therapy, patient satisfaction with their programs was equal (2). The American Physical Therapy Association overall has supported physical therapy done virtually and considers it completely effective and viable for a patient’s care (2). They also stated that virtual physical therapy is able to produce good outcomes with little to no risk to the patient (6). Lastly, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that patients had a 91.2% satisfaction rating in regard to their physical therapy following surgery (8). It is clear that virtual PT has a number of benefits for all patients.

Why Virtual Physical Therapy? The Benefits…

Can be done at home/No Transportation Required!

Virtual physical therapy offers the chance for patients to maintain direct guidance and care from a physical therapist but without the needs of coming in person to a designated facility (1). A patient can be supervised efficiently and assisted in the correct movements and posture for specific workouts due to the use of video software!

Goals and outcomes are the same

Regardless of whether the physical therapy is being performed in person or virtually, the end goals and outcomes are always the same – making either option up to the individual’s preference (1). At the end of the service, the physical therapist wants to make sure the client has an improved quality of life and mobility.

Increases patient independence, especially in symptom management

One of the points of physical therapy is to eventually have the patient enjoy a daily routine without mobility impairments or pain. In performing virtual physical therapy, the patient begins to self-manage their own symptoms and their own activity at home – increasing their quality-of-life overtime (1). Due to the fact that the physical therapist can see the patient’s movements through video, they can guide the patient to improve posture, form, and basic daily movements, which in turn help the patient become more mindful of their own movements and behaviors. As the patient becomes more mindful of these things, they will be able to control the movements that may cause them discomfort or pain. Their sense of control over their own recovery process (2). Patients and physical therapists have both found it effective to have the patient perform the physical therapy session In a location of the home where they will also be frequently doing their home workouts, as it designates an area for exercise/workout progress over time and ALSO gives the physical therapy more ideas on how to utilize the environment/equipment in the room to benefit the client’s workout plan (2).

Helps to gain confidence in progress

At in-person physical therapy sessions, it is sometimes hard for a patient to see their own progress. They may be stressing out about appointments they need to attend to, the challenges of the workouts, the noise in the building, you name it! The benefit of at-home physical therapy in a virtual setting is that patients begin to see the progress they are making as they advance in their daily functional mobility (1). The increase in mobility of simple household tasks will directly increase their confidence, and performance in future sessions. Instead of feeling defeated at the sessions in person, comparing yourself to other people, you get to see some real progress from the comfort of your own home!

Lowers stress

As times change and bring new stresses and difficulties, it’s important we maintain activities that promote our health and well-being, on a physical AND mental level. Moving your body and maintaining consistent exercise, including physical therapy (even when it’s done at home), can reduce your stress levels in the body (1). Additionally, consistent movement in regard to exercise releases endorphins, which improve your mood and overall wellbeing (1).

Increases respiratory health (1)

Consistent exercise, whether it is physical therapy or other, improves an individual’s respiratory health overtime! The Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal found in one study that individuals with cardiopulmonary disease experienced a drop in re-hospitalizations from 40% to 9% due to remote physical therapy (6).

Home workouts show more progress

Even though patients are going to receive guidance and a plan of action for their workouts at home, the workouts themselves become more effective overtime. Patients become more comfortable with their own bodies, the workouts themselves, their form, and much more. Additionally, when gyms or other public exercise facilities become closed or difficult to reach, the patient maintaining home workouts will be able to remain consistent – reaping the benefits of weekly workouts.

Immune system becomes stronger

Think about what happens when we go in a public space. We are exposed to other people and have no idea if they are sick or not. This is even more prevalent in places like gyms where a lot of sweat and bodily fluids exist in the space. For people who have vulnerable immune systems, it can be dangerous to consistently expose yourself to these public areas. Doing physical therapy at home, or any exercise from home, can help your immune system grow stronger (1). Additionally, a relationship with a physical therapist, even while virtual, helps maintain human connection – another important part of immune system support (1).

Accessible to a wider population

Virtual physical therapy offers opportunities for a larger population of individuals. Not everyone has the means of transportation to reach a physical therapy clinic. Many individuals also cannot find the time in the day to get to a clinic before having to be at other responsibilities in their day, leading to less consistent attendance at their sessions. Virtual sessions offer this accessibility to these kinds of situations. Additionally, patients who are recovering from injury or even major surgery will find it extremely difficult to make it to a clinic, especially if there is no one to help them acquire transportation to the clinic. A study published in the Journal of Federal Practitioner shows that veterans benefit from virtual physical therapy, especially if they may not be willing to seek treatment or are unable to even reach a clinic (6). This is why home workouts can be efficient for a wider population of people. They can make progress toward recovery without having to leave their house (or workplace) (2). Additionally, telehealth can make it easier to get in touch with your physical therapist outside of sessions, since you can engage virtually at any time (5). Lastly, some rural areas may not have physical therapy clinics, so virtual physical therapy can fill the gap of access in these regions (5). The Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal’s study showed that virtual physical therapy benefits individuals in rural areas (6).

Requires less time

The time required to do a physical therapy session is not the ONLY time it takes out of your day. You also have to consider the commute time to and from the session, and any paperwork before and after needed to complete before leaving. These extra hassles do not consider the possibility of a waiting room with longer than normal wait times if the clinic is busy (5). If you have a busy schedule during the week, virtual physical therapy will help save you time. You do not have to drive to the clinic, and then back to your other responsibilities. You can do the physical therapy from anywhere where you can receive internet access. You could even do it on your lunch break at work, from home, or anywhere else. If you’re a parent, you can easily find time between dropping off the kids to come home and do a session from the comfort of your own house (2).

Affordability

Virtual physical therapy is covered through insurance similarly to in person physical therapy services (4). If you are paying out of pocket or with a co-pay, you are still saving money as you won’t have to purchase gas or transportation fare for every session each week! This level of affordability works to benefit a larger population of individuals.

Safe for vulnerable groups

Performing physical therapy from home is more comfortable and safer for many patients. Traveling in general may be risky, especially if you have an injury or a compromised immune system. You can receive treatment from the comfort of your own home without a risk of illness or re-injury from the stresses of taking transportation, especially if you are injured. The addition of home safety is extremely important, as some patients may have issues with falls in unfamiliar environments like a big clinic building. Being at home where the area and objects are familiar can help prevent these additional injuries and difficulties from occurring (5).

Increased patient comfortability (4)

Sometimes working out in a facility can be daunting. You may feel uncomfortable exercising or performing movements with other people around. Additionally, if you are injured, you may not want to be in a public setting and would feel more comfortable at home where you can rest if any issues occur. Lastly, a familiar environment may ease any discomfort and potential for re-injury since the objects in the room are ones you are used to engaging with on a daily basis.

Care is personalized

As we mentioned earlier, physical therapy is highly personalized to each patient. Virtual physical therapy is no different! You will still be accessed for certain weaknesses or impairments, and your comfortability or discomfort with certain movements, and then given a unique treatment plan to target those issues you are experiencing. Even virtually, these assessments are still performed effectively and help the patients receive quality care from the comfort of their own home. You are also receiving one-one-one care from your physical therapist without any distractions (5).

Great success rates for recovery – it’s EFFECTIVE!

It has been shown that patients who are in virtual physical therapy are “more likely to stick to their home exercise programs” (5). You will be able to perform physical therapy exercises in a safe and comfortable environment from your own home, with movements that are specific to your unique needs. You will be able to make progress long-term a lot easier due to the comfort and accessibility of virtual PT.

Interested in starting physical therapy due to any weakness, injuries, or discomfort you experience? We got you covered! Our team of specialists Learn more at hidfittherapy.com/mobile-physical-therapy

By Ashley Gresko

Blog Editing Consultant for Health Industry Designs

References

1) https://altairhealth.com/benefits-of-virtual-physical-therapy/

2) https://www.usa.edu/blog/virtual-physical-therapy/

3) https://adventpt.com/what-are-some-benefits-of-virtual-physical-therapy/

4) https://armorpt.com/virtual-physical-therapy-can-offer-many-important-benefits/

5) https://www.choosept.com/resources/detail/6-reasons-to-consider-telehealth-physical-therapy

6) https://www.goodrx.com/blog/telehealth-physical-therapy/

7) https://www.resultspt.com/blog/posts/benefits-of-virtual-therapy

8)https://holland-pt.com/four-benefits-of-virtual-physical-therapy-at-holland-physical-therapy/