This awful COVID-19 has created various changes. Fast-paced life has slowed down, and people enjoy going back to a more simple life. It also has a significant influence on physiotherapy treatment.
Let’s see how it changes the physiotherapy treatment.
Telehealth and e-visit
Physiotherapy is never going to be the same as it was, no clinic is going to go back to its old practice. Physiotherapists would need to move forward to shift the changing environment in the coronavirus crisis.
Physiotherapists can no longer see their patients in person due to complete lockdown. Adapting to technology in such a situation would help retain patients and provide assistance.
Many healthcare professionals and alternative healthcare providers use e-consultations throughout the COVID-19 crisis. It’s not easy to adapt to a transition like this. Not many people would find it easy to adapt to virtual physiotherapy. But from the broader view, even if the lockout is over, it comes with many restrictions. E-consultations will be a new trend for the healthcare and alternative treatment market, which will help to establish social differences and avoid the spread of the virus in the future.
Advantages in virtual therapy:
- Safety of patients.
Virtual physical therapy is the core of what we do as physios. Physical therapists’ key expertise is manual therapy and movement analysis, which can be easily done by telehealth.
- Progress check.
Many people don’t notice how much they can achieve by following an individualized home treatment program. The good side of having to stay at home is that patients see how much progress they can make.
- Improves the respiratory system and Reduces stress
Staying physically healthy during a tough time is more important than ever before. Including physical activity, movement, and exercise can reduce high-stress levels, improve respiratory function, and improve overall health. Don’t forget that physical activity release endorphins that are ‘feel good’ hormones that boost your mood and overall health.
- It helps to improve the productivity of workouts at home.
Patients are given an individualized treatment plan irrespective of where the therapy is done. Personalized guidelines for effective at-home exercises are especially useful when gyms are closed, and online workouts typically suit the masses.
- It strengthens the immune system.
Human interaction strengthens the immune system. While social distancing strategies are in place, online physical therapy interactions provide patients with a new way of communicating with a partner who promotes not just their physical well-being but also their general well-being.
Well-managed virtual therapy means that, without having to sit in a waiting room or interact with others, a person is handled in the privacy of his or her own home.
Tele-physiotherapy / Virtual Therapy Limitations:
While tele-physiotherapy may be of great benefit to many patients, It also has its limits.
- The complexity of device-based treatments (electrotherapy).
Several times patients do require electrotherapy with tools such as radiation therapy, TENS, IFT, etc. Tele-physiotherapy complicates the delivery of such treatments to patients.
- Personalized Exercises are difficult to manage.
For patients suffering from an injury or any impairment that requires help with movements/activities, the physiotherapist can help the patient make the correct movements. But in video calls, it sometimes gets difficult.
- Lack of touch
Physiotherapy is not for procedures and therapies alone. Physio is like a mentor who motivates patients to recover. Tele-physiotherapy limits the physical ability of patients to recover or rehabilitate.
We ‘re ready to make physiotherapy as accessible to patients in need as possible. During a TelePhysio meeting with us, we will assess the issue using visual cues and questions before offering realistic, evidence-based treatments.