Virtual Care Services

There have always been patients who have difficulty leaving their home to seek help from a physical therapist. The numbers of these patients have dramatically increased recently, and this is due to the restrictions imposed by the state of Michigan to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has been estimated that 78% of patients are willing to receive their health care virtually. One type of virtual health care that can benefit people is virtual physical therapy. As a result, we are offering virtual care services in addition to in-clinic visits so our team can continue to treat your aches and pains if you need to remain in your home.

What’s involved in virtual physical therapy?

Virtual physical therapy is a service that is performed online through a computer, tablet or smartphone. This type of therapy is also referred to as telehealth physical therapy. Most sessions involve an online platform that provides a secure live video and audio feed.

Our team uses a secure platform that allows you and your physical therapist to see and hear one another through your communication device. This enables your physical therapist to monitor your session in live time so they can guide you through specific exercises or stretches and make changes on the fly.

How effective is virtual physical therapy?

Telemedicine physical therapy services have been around for years now. Research into these services has reported many positive results. For instance, medical studies report that virtual physical therapy offers comparable functional improvements and pain reduction to in-person therapy for people with musculoskeletal conditions.

Additionally, people who have used telemedicine physical therapy services have reported high levels of satisfaction with their care. A report to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) reveals that 91.2% of patients who used virtual therapy were satisfied with their experiences. This means there is a good chance it will be effective for you as well.

Can virtual physical therapy be useful for me?

Many patients can use virtual physical therapy to receive effective care right from their home. Patients who are currently recovering from surgery are one example. One study reveals that patients who used virtual physical therapy after total knee replacement surgery were able to perform rehab exercises with 93% accuracy

Virtual physical therapy can also be useful for patients dealing with other issues, including

• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches and migraines
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Sprains
• Strains
• Fractures
• Peripheral neuralgia

Are there steps I should take before my virtual physical therapy session?

There are steps you should take before a virtual therapy session that can help it go more smoothly. One of the most important of these steps is making sure you have the correct equipment. Virtual therapy sessions will include live video and audio. So, you’ll need a device that has an operational camera, microphone and speakers. In many cases, smartphones, tablets and desktop computers fit the bill for teletherapy sessions

Other steps you should consider taking before your session include:

• Making sure your internet browser is compatible and updated
• Checking for emails with appointment confirmation or reminder details
• Ensuring that your internet or cellular data connection is stable
• Double-checking that the device you’re using can operate hands-free
• Preparing an area of your home to perform therapeutic exercises
• Having a friend or family member on hand to assist with exercises or technical difficulties

How do I pay for virtual physical therapy?

Virtual physical therapy care is covered by most major insurances in the same way as an in-person visit. Our team also accepts credit and debit as well as Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) payments for Medicare, Medicaid and self-pay patients.

Advent Physical Therapy offers virtual physical therapy 

Are you searching for an effective remote physical therapy option? Our Advent Physical Therapy team can help you. Our patients can still come into our clinics for treatment but if you are more comfortable receiving treatment remotely from your home, we’ve got you covered.

Don’t wait to start using virtual physical therapy from Advent Physical Therapy. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment