These days, in the age of the internet, the landscape of medical care is changing. This is true even in the realm of physical therapy. More and more, physical therapists are working with their patients remotely over video streaming apps such as FaceTime. These sessions can be very useful and beneficial, but as the patient, there are a few tips you will want to follow in order to make remote physical therapy work for you.

1. Make sure your video quality is good. 

Your physical therapist will need to be able to see you clearly in order to tell whether you are doing the movements correctly, and you will need to see them clearly in order to discern the movements they are demonstrating. Make sure your video quality is good; practice streaming with a friend before your physical therapy appointment so you can be sure your video works well. If your quality is poor, you may need to update your device or switch to a different streaming app.

2. Make sure your physical therapist can see you.

Typically, your appointment will consist of your physical therapist showing you various moves and you repeating them on screen. Make sure the body part you are working is centered in the camera. For example, if you are working your arms, make sure your arms are centered in the screen where your physical therapist can see them clearly. This way, your physical therapist will be better able to identify any mistakes you are making and correct them.

3. Don't waste time with chatting.

Usually, your physical therapist will have a specific amount of time to dedicate to your appointment — that might be 30 minutes or 45 minutes. They will have to sign off and probably have an appointment with someone else when they're finished with you. Try not to take up too much of your appointment time with chit-chat unless you are asking questions specifically about your treatment. As much as you might want your physical therapist to meet your cat or your toddler, things like this take up time that really should be spent showing you exercises and helping you heal.

Working remotely with a physical therapist can be quite different from working with a therapist in-office. However, if you are careful to keep on task, make sure your therapist can see what you're doing, and get your video camera up to par, you'll be able to benefit from this 21st century modality.

For more information on telehealth physical therapy, contact a physical therapy clinic.