Nowadays, virtual therapy is one of the biggest requests at our Toronto physiotherapy clinics. Many people have questions – is it really effective? Can it help me?
First, let’s define what we mean by virtual physiotherapy, which is often called tele-rehabilitation or even video conferencing.
- Think of it as a “therapeutic alliance” where the patient sets their own goals, guided by, and with reference to, an experienced physiotherapist.
The good news is, recent research shows it can be just as effective as in-person treatment. Here are some of the real world benefits of virtual physiotherapy.
Benefits of Virtual Physiotherapy
Tele-rehabilitation can deliver the essentials of patient care, including:
- Interview and evaluation;
- Diagnosis;
- Treatment, including coming up with an individualized plan;
- Maintenance activities;
- Advice, education and training.
Your Toronto physiotherapist is available for face-to-face consultations in real time to answer any of your questions. They are able to demonstrate and guide you through your exercises.
- Regular check-ins can be scheduled at your convenience. Your privacy is assured during any online sessions.
- The physiotherapist will be able to view your living area, and tailor any exercises or treatment plans more closely to your real life circumstances, as well as suggest lifestyle modifications that can help address your condition.
- Along with exercises, physiotherapists can guide patients through soft tissue treatments such as self-joint mobilization.
- Travel time is eliminated, along with the necessity for scheduling days off work, when appointments can be scheduled at your convenience.
The digital environment also offers additional resources, including videos, online diaries, reports and other research that can be easily accessed and viewed. A European study found that patients who got the best results from virtual physiotherapy viewed videos after their session with the physiotherapist. The combination of demonstration and then the ability to check back with a video reference was effective.
Email is another tool that can provide patients with detailed references, including instructions, charts, and pictures that demonstrate exercises and movement objectives.
A UK study looked at 27,000 physiotherapy patients in a virtual environment. It’s clear that digital therapy options should continue to become more a part of the standard choices for treatment going forward.
If you are interested in talking about virtual physiotherapy, don’t hesitate to contact one of our Toronto physiotherapy and chiropractic clinics today.
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