Could Telehealth PT Be Right for You?
When lockdown started in 2020, I worked for the government as a contract PT to Special Operations warfighters and I was pregnant. “Get out of here, go home!” they hastily told me, not wanting to take any additional risks with so much unknown. I was very fortunate in my field; they allowed us to remain employed fulll-time, reviewing post-surgical protocols, making evidence-based plans for heatstroke, and creating injury prevention programs for specific jobs more prone to pain.
Soon, however, it became clear that there was no end in sight. Our one masked, gloved, PT going in for emergency cases simply wasn’t going to cut it for long — we needed to start getting creative with care. Other providers could shift seamlessly into telehealth, so why not us?
I felt resistant at first. I rely so heavily on manual therapy and I feared that without laying hands on my patients I wouldn’t have much to offer. I quickly discovered how beneficial telehealth could be. All of a sudden, I had access to patients in pain that were located in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East who would have been in pain with or without the pandemic, but because of it they had access to help.
While hands-on care feels great while it’s happening and can be the answer, PT evidence proves that education, prescriptive exercises, and changes to movement patterns can absolutely yield long-term change.
So, how can you tell if telehealth is for you?
When in Doubt, Ask
Schedule a call or send off an email! Most, if not all physical therapists offer a free discovery call to discuss the symptoms you’re experiencing and what type of program might be appropriate for you. If your PT is operating out of network with insurance, it is very reasonable to ask for an estimate of how many sessions you can expect to need and whether your PT has had success working with cases like yours.
If on a discovery call I heard about symptoms that would be unlikely to improve without hands-on care, I would always be clear and up front with that patient. You should expect the same!
Understand Your Symptoms
Often times, acute symptoms (particularly in the lower back or neck) really benefit from fast, skilled, hands-on treatment. If your symptoms have been around for more than 6-8 weeks, perhaps even years — odds are very good that you’re a candidate for skilled telehealth.
Acute injuries include anything that started hurting within the past few (up to 6-8) weeks. Conditions that are perfect for telehealth include sprains (after fracture has been ruled out) and muscle strains.
There are exceptions. If you have symptoms of significant weakness, numbness or tingling in the “saddle” region (the part of your body that would make contact if you were sitting on a horse), changes to your bowel or bladder function, pain that becomes much more severe at night, or a few other red flags, a strong physical therapist will always refer you back to your primary care to rule out other illnesses and conditions, regardless of acuity.
Know Your Audience
This one is crucial. Read the room and be honest with yourself: what kind of patient are you? If you’re someone who just needs to be pointed in the right direction and you’ll do everything you’re told, telehealth PT may be right for you.
You can expect to be given education and instruction on how to manage your symptoms and which exercises to complete. Your course of care will likely include check-ins to adjust and advance exercises and make sure that your form still looks good.
If you’re someone who needs to be told exactly what to do and when to do it, in person care may be a better choice for you. It can be so hard to self-motivate with other things going on in your life and in your home, and there’s no shame in thriving in a more supervised environment.
Go with What’s Feasible
If you’ve done your research and found the exact perfect PT for you, your choice may become clearer. If, for instance, you’re looking for somebody like me — a sports and ortho specialist who’s trained in pelvic floor therapy — but you live too far away to see me, telehealth is definitely for you.
Even if you are local, maybe your schedule doesn’t work with your desired PT. Telehealth can be a great option if you need to be seen early, late, or even over the weekend. Always, always reach out and ask for what works best for you!
Cost *May* Be an Object
If you’re in the market for the experience of a concierge, or cash-pay, PT, you may be wrapping your head around rates being a significant factor in your decision. Telehealth is often a less expensive option to have access to a higher level of care and the convenience of staying right in your own home.
If you have any questions specific to your symptoms, schedule a free discovery call today!
