What is Telehealth Physical Therapy?
Telehealth Physical Therapy is an audio-visual service that allows you and your physical therapist to see and hear each other via computer or smart phone. Telehealth gives us the ability to continue to treat patients who might be immunocompromised, have difficulty with transportation, or out of town during the time of their appointments.
Your physical therapist is an expert in movement and musculoskeletal dysfunction. They will guide you through stretching, exercises, and potential modalities that can improve your overall physical well-being.
What do I need for a Telehealth Physical Therapy Session?
Telehealth requires you to have an internet-enabled device such as a computer, laptop, smart phone, or tablet; but the most important thing needed for a Telehealth physical therapy session is YOU! Our expert providers can help you navigate the technical decisions you may need make to ensure the best quality care during your Telehealth sessions.
How is a Telehealth Physical Therapy Session Conducted?
There are a variety of Telehealth or teleconferencing platforms including Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom.
The actual Telehealth physical therapy session is going to be very similar to a standard physical therapy session. Your physical therapist is going to ask you questions related to your goals, your current condition, and any limitations you are currently facing that are preventing you from achieving your goals. A physical examination isn't going to be done in quite the same manner as an in-person evaluation. Instead, vocal feedback about the movements that improve or worsen your pain or dysfunction will be necessary.
Is Telehealth Physical Therapy Effective?
Telehealth Physical Therapy has been shown to provide equal results for patients as observed in the standard outpatient clinical setting, while some patients solely require a hands-on approach for physical therapy.
Telehealth physical therapy will incorporate a quality at home exercise program with regular follow-ups to provide a safe, efficient, and effective way to continue the relief of your pain, dizziness, or mobility concerns.
What Conditions are Commonly Treated Through a Telehealth Session?
A physical therapist treating through Telehealth is bound only by their creativity and the creativity of their patient. Certainly, the equipment available to a physical therapist in the clinic setting may not be readily available in a patient's home or office setting. In this case, our clinical products and equipment are available for purchase in clinic or may be shipped to you for a minimal cost.
During a physical therapy Telehealth session, a variety of common conditions can be treated including (but not limited to):
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Knee pain
- Incontinence
- Post pregnancy
- Falls Prevention
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Balance
In the event that your physical therapist is unable to identify the cause of your pain, dizziness, or dysfunction, FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers Mel Beach will require you to come into our clinic for an evaluation.
Should I do Telehealth Physical Therapy?
This question is best answered one-on-one with your physical therapist. However, Telehealth Physical Therapy can provide you a high-quality, effective, and safe physical therapy experience. There are certain conditions that may be effectively treated better in person, but whichever method you may choose, our experts are always available to you.
Are Telehealth Physical Therapy Sessions Covered by my Insurance?
This is a great question. Unfortunately, without verifying your personal benefits we're not sure. The good news is FYZICAL Mel Beach is glad to do a free insurance verification check to find out. If your insurance carrier does not offer a Telehealth Physical Therapy benefit, that does not mean you are out of luck. You can speak with your policy provider to see if Telehealth can be added to your policy or we would be happy to speak with you about our alternative payment options.
What Paperwork do I need to fill out for a Telehealth Physical Therapy Session?
A Telehealth Physical Therapy session will not differ vastly from your traditional outpatient physical therapy appointment when it comes to necessary paperwork. Your physical therapist is still going to want to know your medical history, the reason for your session today, and your goals for physical therapy. We will likely have you fill out an outcome measure that will enable us to judge your progress during physical therapy.
There are, however, a couple of things that will differ when it comes to paperwork for a Telehealth physical therapy session:
- Consent to treatment via Telehealth
- Acknowledgement of a private space to complete the session