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During the pandemic, we were all pushed to embrace digital connection. Physical Therapy, it turns out, has many advantages when done online.
How Remote Physical Therapy is Revolutionizing Chronic Pain Management
Patients struggling with chronic pain may feel more comfortable receiving remote physical therapy from within their homes. It offers patients greater convenience and control over their treatment, while also enabling the session to take place in their everyday environment and at a time that works best for their schedule.
Remote physical therapy can be synchronous (communicating in real-time using video and audio calling) as well as asynchronous (communicating via chats, texting, and video messaging using a HIPAA-compliant platform). This greatly enhances communication between the patient and provider, improving the therapeutic alliance – a critical component in patient care, especially when treating patients with chronic conditions.
There are several benefits of remote treatment that are not realized when the patient is treated offline. Patience requiring physical therapy often have trauma or injury which makes their mental, emotional and physical state a priority. All of this can be achieved with ease when the therapy is conducted online, with the use of technology.
Improved convenience and control for patients
Sessions can take place in patient's everyday environment
Real-time communication and messaging options
Enhanced therapeutic alliance between patient and provider
A recorded session that the patient or the provider can refer back to when needed
The ability to continue sessions with the same provider in case the patient moves, travels, or is unable to attend a physical session for any reason.
Research suggests that telehealth solutions offer benefits to patients with chronic pain, and can successfully be implemented by physical therapists to deliver timely remote care to this patient population and enhance clinical outcomes. Both synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication has its own set of advantages.
Allows for real-time interaction between patient and provider
Can help improve patient engagement and motivation
Enables more accurate assessment of patient mobility and function
Provides greater flexibility for patients who may have difficulty scheduling synchronous sessions
Enables communication at any time of day, regardless of time zone or schedule constraints
Can be useful for sharing information and educational resources
Remote therapeutic monitoring is a type of service that allows physical therapists to monitor and manage patients' health remotely. This is done by using technology to collect, analyze and transmit patient health data to therapists who can then use the information to make informed decisions and tailor treatment plans to the needs of each patient. Remote therapeutic monitoring can be used for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including chronic pain.
Benefits of Remote Therapeutic Monitoring:
More frequent and accurate monitoring of patient mobility during real-world circumstances
Enables establishment of baseline and detection of changes in health status earlier
Improves treatment efficacy and personalized care
Increases patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans
OneStep: A Game-Changing Technology for Remote Therapeutic Monitoring
New technology, like OneStep, can turn any smartphone into a gait and motion analysis lab, providing objective insight into patient mobility without any wearables. OneStep offers a range of features that can help physical therapists monitor patient progress and make data-driven decisions about treatment plans.
Features of OneStep:
Gait and motion analysis without wearables
Objective insight into patient mobility and function
Real-time data tracking and analysis
Customizable reports for tracking progress and outcomes
Technology is progressing at that speed of light, making it possible to give consistent, reliable and personalized care to everyone, irrespective of location. Remote physical therapy and virtual care options are revolutionizing chronic pain management by making care more accessible, convenient, and personalized. If you’ve been suffering from chronic pain and need physical therapy to get better, we suggest giving remote physical therapy a try.