Tanunda Physio & Health are registered NDIS providers! We are one of very few registered providers for physiotherapy services in the Barossa Valley region. What…
Telehealth and Physio – the new odd couple?
Sometimes you simply can’t get to the physio but you still need help.
This has been commonplace now due to COVID-19 isolations and lockdowns, but it isn’t the only time this can occur.
Sometimes you simply may be travelling but still need treatment, or can’t find the time for your appointment and the time to travel to/from.
Telehealth has been around a long time and its benefits are well known.
Most people think that telehealth may not be relevant to them. In many cases they are wrong.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is any video or phone consult.
However, specifically when we refer to telehealth we are referring to video consults as this allows us the maximum benefits to be provided (however phone consults are still beneficial to provide important advice and education)
What we can’t do via telehealth?
This is obvious to most people and why most people assume it isn’t applicable to them.
We can’t touch you. Simple as that.
We can’t massage. Can’t push on your stiff joints.
We can’t and won’t dispute this. We also don’t shy away from this being an essential part of what we provide.
However, it is not all we can do to provide significant benefits, and in some cases it is far from the most important part of your treatment
What can we do via telehealth?
Assess you – a large part of us assessing you is based on watching you move and analysing the quality and range of movement. This tells us a lot about what we can do to help you
Teach you self management hands on techniques – some of the techniques we use in the clinic we can teach you how to perform a similar technique at home, and often you will be surprised by how powerful its effect can be
Provide, review and progress exercises – this is perhaps (along with education) the part that we can provide with the highest effect in comparison to if we were in the same room as you. If you have already commenced treatment and are in a later stage rehab, this also becomes a great option to continue treatment in the most convenient way.
Give education and advice- Don’t underestimate the value of good education and advice. Be it better understanding your problem, strategies for self management, tips to avoid aggravation or even positive reassurance, the right advice (and following it) is an essential part of any quality treatment
The good news? Education and Exercise is for many problems we treat are considered to be the most important part of long term improvements based on evidence. That means, when you have a telehealth consult with us, you can still expect to receive great care and great results.
Your therapist will always discuss with you if telehealth is suitable for you and we will not encourage you to take this appointment type unless we genuinely feel it will help you.
How to we provide telehealth at Tanunda Physio & Health?
Our clinic software has in build telehealth function which complies with stringent health related privacy laws in Australia.
You can be confident the secure connection is protected. We dont use general software like zoom or facetime which usually doesn’t comply.
Your appointment confirmation email will include a link to your call. At the time of your appointment you can open that link and be taken to an online ‘waiting room’. When both you and your therapist have connected, you will see each other and have your consultation
We are sure you will love the ease of use, and be surprised at the benefits you can receive.