Can physical therapy for osteoporosis be done virtually?

Osteoporosis is a health condition that’s characterized by brittle and weakening bones. It’s often caused by insufficient calcium intake, inadequate vitamin D, and hormone changes. An estimated 10 million people in the U.S. have osteoporosis. An even more significant number are at risk of developing this condition. Osteoporosis is especially common in the elderly population. Hormone treatments, vitamins, dietary supplements and physical therapy can be used to treat this bone condition. Physical therapy is one especially effective treatment option. It helps osteoporosis patients build strength and prevent bone loss. PT treatment is great for many, but it’s not always the most convenient option to have to dedicate time to in-person sessions several times a month. Fortunately, physical therapy for osteoporosis can be done virtually.

How will virtual physical therapy treat someone with osteoporosis?

Virtual PT can improve an osteoporosis patient’s quality of life and address their deteriorating bone condition. Here’s how:

• Reducing fall risk — A virtual physical therapist will treat someone with osteoporosis by minimizing their risk of falls. This might include improving balance and gait. It can also include assessing risk factors within the patient’s home.

• Managing chronic pain — Another way that a virtual PT specialist might treat someone with osteoporosis is by managing their pain. Osteoporosis can cause chronic pain in a person’s lower back bones and even in their muscles, but an experienced virtual physical therapist can use strength-building exercises to help protect the bones and prevent falls.

In what ways can a person with osteoporosis benefit from virtual physical therapy?

You might be surprised to learn that someone with osteoporosis can benefit from virtual physical therapy services in several ways. Virtual PT can help osteoporosis patients and patients with various other conditions. Check out the benefits for osteoporosis patients below:

• Improving access to high-quality care in underserved communities — One of the top benefits of virtual physical therapy for someone with osteoporosis is high-quality care. Virtual physical therapy ensures that individuals in underserved communities can still receive the care they need, even when there aren’t any accessible or high-quality health care offices close to them. Osteoporosis affects a large number of adults aged 50 and older. Older adults often struggle with access to health care, especially in underserved communities. Virtual PT can benefit those older adults dealing with bone disease who lack access to high-quality services.

• Strengthening communication between patient and therapist — Virtual PT can also improve patient and therapist communication. Virtual PT can help therapists gain access to their patients’ homes. This allows them to determine areas to improve, like reducing fall risks. It can also allow for communication between both parties. With telehealth,  the physical therapist is able to answer any patient questions via a live connection. Improved communication can benefit patient outcomes and improve their quality of life.

• Increasing access to educational resources — Someone who receives virtual physical therapy services also has increased access to educational resources. A virtual therapist can send educational materials to their patient in seconds, even in the middle of a session. Most in-person therapists will send their patients home with educational materials. These are to be reviewed at leisure. Virtual PT resources can be viewed in the middle of a session. For osteoporosis patients, this means instantly learning about bone deterioration and the benefits of PT treatments for maximum effect.

Why choose Agile Virtual Physical Therapy for your osteoporosis treatment?

Getting to and from in-person physical therapy sessions can be time consuming. At Agile Virtual Physical Therapy, we also know that it’s not an easy commitment to make for those who don’t have reliable transportation. Considering the time it takes to drive to sessions and back, the length of the sessions, and other factors, getting physical therapy care in person isn’t always ideal. Lucky for you, there’s an alternative. Virtual physical therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy. It’s just what you need to start getting treatment for your osteoporosis symptoms.

Virtual PT can be done from the convenience of your own home. It requires nothing other than a stable internet connection and a device with a video camera. You’ll be able to meet with a qualified physical therapist. They’ll lead you through each session at home. You can get the right treatment for your osteoporosis without sacrificing any time outside of your session. The at-home care you need is just a click away.

Agile Virtual Physical Therapy offers more than 400 licensed clinicians. We provide services in 45 U.S. states and free virtual screenings. 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.