With the coronavirus outbreak changing our daily routines and normal activities, people who are dealing with injuries, recovering from surgery or managing a chronic condition still have to receive care. Beginning or continuing a physical therapy program during this time of social distancing and self-isolation is extremely important, especially with other activities being limited.
Fortunately, the continuing development of health care technology has made a solution possible in the form of virtual physical therapy. By using the video conferencing capabilities that nearly everyone already has embedded in their computers and mobile devices, virtual physical therapy allows patients to connect with a physical therapist over the internet. This allows physical therapy patients to have secure one-on-one sessions with their therapist without having to leave home.
At Panther Physical Therapy, the safety of our patients and therapists is our top priority as this situation continues to evolve. That is why we’re offering virtual physical therapy sessions 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.
We’re here to help you, and we’ll be available to answer any questions you may have and provide further information.
What is virtual physical therapy?
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual physical therapy and telemedicine in general have been growing trends in the physical therapy field. Virtual physical therapy offers patients a convenient option for meeting with a trained and licensed therapist. This can be especially convenient for patients living in remote areas or people with mobility issues. While there are some specific treatment options that are limited, such as manual therapy, a large portion of physical therapy treatments can be easily performed.
So how does it work? Panther PT uses a fully secure video communication platform that works through a web browser, so there is no need to install or configure any other applications. All you need is an internet connection and a compatible device with a camera and microphone.
From there, simply connect with your therapist at a scheduled time, and you can talk and interact in real time as if you were right there in the clinic. If you’ve used other video communications platforms such as Skype or FaceTime, your experience will be similar. This is type of technology is ideal for a wide array of basic therapy services, including:
- General consultation
- Therapeutic exercises
- Range-of-motion stretches
- Balance and posture training
Whether you’re a new or existing Panther PT patient, virtual physical therapy can help you. It’s crucial to stay committed to your therapy program and recovery efforts if you are dealing with any of the following issues:
- Recovery after undergoing surgery
- Pain management related to conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or diabetes
- Rehabilitation for sports and exercise-related injuries
Preparing for your virtual physical therapy appointment
Like an in-office therapy session, the first thing you need is some comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that you can move around in. After that, you will need a working internet connection and a device or computer that is video conferencing enabled. This includes most tablets, phones, laptops and desktop computers, as long as they have a functional webcam and microphone.
You also need to make sure your device is connected to the internet and that it’s operating at a reliable speed.
Once you have these basic requirements, you just need to follow these steps to prepare for your session:
- We’ll send you appointment confirmations and reminders via email.
- Perform an internet connection test and check to make sure your camera and microphone are functioning.
- Devices should be hands-free, so a stand for your phone or tablet is recommended.
- Make sure you have a well-lit and obstacle free space and you are fully visible to your therapist.
To learn more about what to expect from a general physical therapy session, check out our FAQ.
An affordable and convenient option
At Panther PT, 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.
We can help you stay safe and reach your treatment goals
Social distancing and self-isolation should not keep you away from the therapy you need for your long-term health and wellness. Our caring and dedicated therapists can guide you through this exciting, relatively new option for physical therapy and rehabilitation care.
To learn more and schedule your initial appointment, contact us today.