Telehealth has become a powerful tool in physical therapy (PT), allowing patients to receive care remotely while still working on their treatment plans.
With telehealth PT, patients can achieve results similar to in-clinic visits, often using common household items to replicate exercises. Understanding how telehealth works in physical therapy can help patients stay committed to their treatment and make meaningful progress, even from home.
What is Telehealth in Physical Therapy?
Telehealth in physical therapy allows patients to receive full evaluations and follow-up visits virtually.
During these sessions, physical therapists (PTs) assess their patients’ conditions, adjust treatment plans, and demonstrate exercises. In some cases, telehealth is supplemented by Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM), a service that involves quick check-ins to answer specific questions or assess progress between regular visits.
RTM is not the same as a full telehealth session.
While telehealth encompasses comprehensive visits where therapists evaluate multiple aspects of a patient’s care, RTM focuses on specific concerns, like whether a patient is doing a particular exercise correctly.
For example, if a patient experiences discomfort after performing a new movement, an RTM session can be used to make quick adjustments or clarifications. Both telehealth and RTM can be vital components of a patient’s recovery journey.
How Does a Telehealth Session Work?
Many patients wonder how telehealth sessions work in physical therapy.
At CORA Physical Therapy, therapists use a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform to meet virtually with patients. Before the session, patients receive an email with instructions, which includes a link to join the video call. Once logged in, patients are placed in a virtual waiting room until the therapist is ready to begin.
During the telehealth session, therapists can visually assess a patient’s form while they perform exercises at home. They also provide real-time feedback and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
These sessions allow patients to ask questions and receive tailored guidance from their therapist, all from the comfort of their home.
Using Household Items to Replicate Clinic Exercises
One of the most common concerns patients have about telehealth is whether they need special equipment for their exercises.
As telehealth appointments become more common, PTs are becoming more creative. Sessions often include household items to help replicate the exercises typically done in the clinic.
This resourceful approach makes telehealth even more accessible to patients.
For example, many patients are instructed to use:
- A gallon of milk or water: These can serve as weights, typically around five pounds, to mimic dumbbells used in the clinic.
- Cushions: Couch cushions or pillows can be used for balance exercises. Simply placing a cushion on the floor can replicate the uneven surfaces used in a clinic to challenge a patient’s balance.
- A belt or towel: These common items can act as stretch straps, allowing patients to perform resistance stretches effectively at home.
- A wall or sturdy chair: Patients can use walls or chairs to assist with stabilization during exercises such as squats or wall push-ups.
By making use of these household items, patients can continue their exercises without the need to purchase expensive equipment. This flexibility is one of the reasons telehealth is so effective and accessible.
Telehealth Helps Maintain Accountability
In traditional in-clinic visits, patients typically come in for therapy two to three times a week, leaving the bulk of their rehabilitation in their hands when they are at home.
Telehealth provides a bridge between these sessions, helping patients stay on track with their prescribed exercises. Through virtual sessions, therapists can monitor patients’ progress, ensure proper form, and keep them motivated.
This accountability is key to successful outcomes.
As PTs frequently remind their patients, therapy is only effective if patients commit to the exercises both in and out of the clinic.
With telehealth, clinicians can check in more frequently. This enables real-time feedback and ensures patients stay engaged in their treatment plans.
It is not uncommon for telehealth and RTM to result in higher levels of patient engagement.
Engaged patients experience better outcomes. Patients who received regular digital check-ins reported feeling more supported. This support leads to more patients completing their treatment plans.
Who Can Benefit from Telehealth and RTM?
Telehealth and RTM are valuable tools for a wide range of patients. From those recovering from surgery to individuals with chronic conditions that require long-term management, digital health can help.
One example comes from a 78-year-old patient in South Carolina who had recently undergone knee replacement surgery. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she couldn’t attend some of her in-clinic visits.
Thanks to RTM, she was able to receive guidance remotely. During one session, she described symptoms of shortness of breath, and the physical therapist quickly identified red flags. The therapist referred her to a local hospital, where she was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition.
In this case, remote monitoring potentially saved her life.
Telehealth is also ideal for patients who live in remote areas or have difficulty traveling to a clinic due to health or logistical reasons.
Additionally, patients who are highly engaged in their treatment plans often find telehealth to be a convenient way to stay connected with their therapists.
Why Telehealth is a Win-Win for Patients and Providers
Telehealth is not only beneficial for patients but also a win for providers and insurance companies.
Patients
From a patient’s perspective, telehealth offers flexibility, making it easier to stay consistent with appointments.
Providers
Providers benefit from increased engagement, as telehealth can be used to reinforce in-clinic treatment plans and ensure that patients are making progress at home.
Insurance Companies
Insurance companies appreciate the cost savings, as telehealth often leads to quicker recovery times and reduced healthcare costs.
For many patients, telehealth offers a more personalized experience. Therapists can see the patient’s natural environment and tailor exercises to their home setting. Examples include demonstrating stretches in a living room or recommending posture adjustments at a home desk.
The Future of Telehealth in Physical Therapy
As telehealth continues to evolve, it’s likely that even more insurance providers will begin covering it.
At CORA Physical Therapy, services like RTM are already covered by Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and workers’ compensation programs in certain states like Wisconsin.
The industry expects additional insurers to come on board as the benefits of telehealth become increasingly clear.
Telehealth isn’t just a short-term solution. It’s becoming an integral part of physical therapy that bridges the gap between in-clinic care and home exercise, making rehabilitation more accessible, engaging, and effective.
By utilizing household items and staying accountable through regular digital check-ins, patients can achieve great results from home, just as they would in the clinic.
Telehealth empowers patients to take control of their recovery while maintaining a close connection with their physical therapist, leading to better outcomes and a faster return to the activities they love.
