Virtual Therapy is on the rise amid COVID-19 Concerns

Like most things in the world, physical therapy is looking different these days, especially for people who are considered immune-compromised.

Of the health care industry.

This includes the use of telehealth and virtual physical therapy.

I talked with a therapist from fransiscan health who says this will be helpful for patients as more elective surgeries start being performed.

(nats( like most things in the world... physical therapy is looking different these days... especially for people who are considered immune compromised.

"i would say a lot oour geriatric population is choosing not to come in because of the safety for them."- dusti chase (nats( and even though those patients aren't able to take therapy in person..

Virtual therapy..

Has become a successful way to keep patients on track.

"we can watch the patients do the exercises they can see us demonstrating the exercises and we can really help with their body movements and their mechanics so that they are doing things correctly."-dusti back in march governor eric holcomb lifted tele- health restrictions which has enabled physical therapist to offer more therapy virtually.

"that's really opened the door for a lot of patients who aren't comfortable coming in at the time to be able to still serve their needs and to be able to offer therapy services through a virtual visit."

Some forms of therapy become more challenging when they are not offered in person.

"therapy that requires hands on technique or manual therapy or specialized equipment that we have here in the clinic that makes it a little bit more challenging" however..

Chase says..

Research shows... most therapy has the same results if done virtually.

"the research has been showing that outcomes for a total joint or a knee or a hip patient..

Virtual visits have the same outcome as coming in the clinic.

So it will be a really good option for some of those elctive surgeries that are going to begin to resume again."

Physical ..occupational ..

And speech therapy along with athletic training are all offered virtually through the franciscan health clinic at the ymca in lafayette.

The wisconsin supreme court has overturned the