Is virtual physical therapy a type of remote access health care?

Over the past 18 months and more, many of us have become used to doing many things remotely. We have worked remotely. We have ordered food and groceries remotely and had them delivered to us. Some people may even have tried remote access health care.

Remote access health care also goes by the names telehealth and virtual health care. It is any health care service that involves connecting with a medical professional via technology. Virtual physical therapy or tele PT is one type of telehealth that’s gaining in popularity.

Three reasons virtual physical therapy is a type of remote access health care

Virtual physical therapy is an increasingly popular form of telehealth. One study by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that telehealth usage went from under 5% to nearly 93% in just a few weeks. That’s not surprising considering this shift occurred during the initial weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. However, a research poll found that 76% of Americans say they will likely continue to use telehealth tools post-pandemic. Virtual physical therapy is considered a type of remote access health care because:

1. It is done online — The typical tele PT session is an online affair. In most cases, the patient will connect with their physical therapist via a secure online video feed. This experience may also be supplemented by other online tools. Some of the most commonly used tools include online chat and online appointment making.

2. It is done with certified health care professionals — Credible tele PT providers make it easy for you to see the credentials of the professionals they employ. It is common for these professionals to have the same credentials and educational background as physical therapists you would see in person. Some virtual providers even partner with in-person physical therapy practices to help ensure you have access to effective treatment.

3. It uses effective, research-backed therapy techniques — You may be accessing physical therapy remotely, but that doesn’t mean the techniques the physical therapist uses to treat you aren’t effective. Often, tele PT programs are based around therapeutic exercises. These exercises have been proven by research to help people reduce their pain and improve their ability to move.

Find effective remote access health care from Agile Virtual PT

Looking for remote access to health care services like physical therapy? Our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy team is here to help you find the tele PT you need. Our team includes licensed clinicians who are available to assist patients in 42 states. Even better, our data shows that 93% of our patients had less pain after their virtual physical therapy.

Contact our team today for more information about all the issues we can help you address or to schedule your initial virtual appointment.