How does telehealth physical therapy work?

You may have been to a physical therapy clinic before, and you know how that works. Maybe now you’re considering doing telehealth physical therapy, but you want to know how it works before you sign up for this service.

Telehealth physical therapy is also known as tele PT or virtual PT. It’s a service that takes place via the internet, and the most common form it takes is a one-on-one video session with a physical therapist. The clinicians involved in virtual PT sessions want you to have a basic idea of how telehealth PT works before you do your first session.

These four steps give you a basic understanding of how telehealth PT works

Why do telehealth PT clinicians want you to have some understanding of how virtual PT sessions work? For one thing, it helps you get comfortable with a service that may be entirely new to you. In turn, this increased comfort level helps make their job of helping you easier. A few of the basic steps that are involved in tele PT session include:

1. Signing up — As with any other medical appointment, your first step will be to make an appointment. This is typically accomplished using an online form, but many tele PT providers also have a phone number that you can call.
2. Appointment preparation — You’ll most likely be given a list of things you need to do to prepare for your tele PT session when you sign up for it. In most cases, this list will be sent to your email address. Some of the things you may be asked to do prior to your session include:

• Download an app and/or create an account.
• Ensure that you have a spacious, well-lit space for your session.
• Choose clothes that allow you to move around easily.
• Make sure your internet connection is stable.
• Ensure that your device’s camera and microphone are working properly.

1. Doing the session — Eventually, you’ll find yourself actually in the appointment working with your clinician. They may start by doing an evaluation to help pinpoint the likely causes of your pain. Your physical therapist may also show you how to do therapeutic exercises, and they can help educate you about your injury or condition.
2. Post-appointment — At the end of your appointment, your clinician may give you the option to make another appointment. You may also make a follow-up appointment after your session is over. Additionally, your physical therapist may give you some homework to do between sessions. This may include doing a program of exercises regularly.

Agile Virtual PT can help you learn more about how telehealth PT works

Want to know still more about how telehealth PT works? Our Agile Virtual PT team is perfectly placed to help you learn more about virtual PT. We’re currently working with patients in 36 U.S. states and helping them treat various types of pain. Our team is also made up of licensed clinicians who can help you get benefits such as:

• Reducing pain — 93% of our patients report decreased pain after their virtual PT.
• Decreasing your costs by about 47% per episode of care.
• Appointment scheduling that’s 60% faster than the scheduling for in-person visits.

Not sure if virtual PT is the right option for you? Our team can do a free screening on you to determine if you can benefit from tele PT.

Contact our team today for more information about how to start getting our help with your pain or to schedule your initial appointment.