When you cannot leave your home to visit a clinic for physical therapy services, one option you have to continue being able to receive treatment is telehealth physical therapy. Also known as virtual physical therapy, telehealth physical therapy is a service that allows your physical therapist to treat you remotely by guiding you through your treatment over a live, one-on-one video call.
A video call might sound intimidating for those who aren’t familiar with using video communication platforms, but it’s easier than you might think. Here are five ways you can prepare for a telehealth physical therapy appointment:
Five steps to prepare for a telehealth physical therapy appointment
Preparing for a virtual physical therapy appointment is relatively simple. All you have to do is:
- Check your internet connection — Make sure your internet modem and router are plugged in and operating. If you’re reading this article right now online at home, then that’s a good sign that everything is working as it should be.
- Get your device ready — You will need a communication device with internet capability and audio and video features. Common devices with such capabilities include laptops, smartphones, tablets and PCs with a web camera attachment.
- Dress comfortably — You’ll need to be able to move freely to perform many of your physical therapy exercises and stretches during your telehealth appointment. Dress comfortable in loose-fitting clothing, such as athletic shorts and a T-shirt. You’ll also want to wear comfortable, supportive tennis shoes.
- Clear up some space — You need to have an open space free of clutter and tripping hazards where you can exercise and move freely. Make sure you don’t have any rugs or other cables on the floor that could cause you to slip or fall.
- Write down questions — You may have some questions you want to ask your physical therapist about, but it can be easy to forget these questions after focusing on preparing for your treatment. Write down any questions you have ahead of time so you can remember to ask them when it’s time for your appointment.
Talk to Panther Physical Therapy today about telehealth physical therapy
Do you have further questions about how to prepare for a virtual physical therapy appointment or whether it’s right for you? Our team at Panther is here to help you get the answers and the treatment that you need. Contact our team today for more information about telehealth physical therapy or to schedule an initial appointment.