Does online physio work?
COVID-19 forced us physiotherapists to see our clients online. The pandemic is thankfully behind us, but should online physiotherapy stick around?
And does it actually work?
When you think of a physiotherapist, what comes to mind? Perhaps a treatment room, a sports pitch, maybe massage or resistance bands (the colourful stretchy things we’re big fans of)? All fair, and very accurate. Even I would have said it was a fair description of my job. It’s how it had been for me since qualifying in 2011, rugby pitch included, and I didn’t see it being any other way.
Until 2020…and we all know what happened that year. The pandemic brought with it a real dilemma for physiotherapists. Could we actually help our clients through online sessions? And how many times could we tell someone “nope, that’s still the ceiling I can see, not your knee” without losing it? Surprisingly, it turns out we could still help people very effectively through online platforms. And it also turns out that COVID generally made even the most tech-phobic amongst us quite capable of using our various gadgets for meetings, physiotherapy included.
In fact it worked so well that lots of physiotherapists, myself included, still use online for our clients despite being able to work face to face again. Here’s why online physiotherapy is not only perfectly acceptable as an option, but may also be more superior to the traditional face to face physiotherapy.
1. Words actually speak louder than actions
There are lots of physical tests we physiotherapists can perform to help decipher a diagnosis. However, most of these tests are frankly not reliable. And they are only used to help confirm the suspected diagnosis which is based on what you’ve told me. The history of your problem, the pattern of your symptoms and your personal goals are more important and more helpful in order to provide the best treatment plan for you. Palpating the bones of your pelvis and telling you it’s “out of place” or “not aligned” is firstly untrue (I assure you that your pelvis does not pop in and out and you do not need someone to “pop” it back into place, but that is for another blog!), and is rarely going to give me much more information to help with your treatment plan. Telling me that your pain occurs at certain times of the day or that your symptoms are aggravated with certain activities is however a sure fire way to get you on the road to recovery.
2. It's flexible and more affordable
Booking a physiotherapy session in person is always a logistical nightmare. Most clients want the same before or after work hours so it’s a real fight for who gets in first. Lunchtime slots are just as bad. I have clients have to delay their follow up session for weeks because there isn’t an available 8am or 1pm slot left for ages. Not only is this annoying for you as the client, but it’s also frustrating for me as it disrupts the flow of treatment. And this is where online sessions can really be our knight in shining armour. No travel time to consider for either of us, less restrictions on availability due to the physical closure of the building/clinic rooms, and perfect for those who travel for work or are away on vacation in the middle of their treatment. And because there are no travel or rental costs for me, I’m able to offer the same services at a lower cost for you.
3. It sets the tone for a long term recovery
To ensure that once you’re better you stay better, it’s essential that self management strategies, exercise and lifestyle changes are addressed early on in your treatment. These are what make the biggest difference to recovery and improvements in health and fitness, not hands on treatment such as massage. A major benefit of online physiotherapy over in-person is that you don’t become reliant on having to see me physically or have hands on treatment in order to feel better. By seeing the improvements that occur from YOU making the changes recommended, you’re more likely to sustain these positive changes due to an improvement in confidence and self efficacy, and save money that would have been spent on continuous never-ending treatment!
Although there are a few cases where I have recommended that I see a client in person, in most cases online physiotherapy really does work very well! Check out my online services for both physiotherapy and online exercise sessions (including Pilates) here. If you’d like more information, just get in touch!