Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is virtual physical therapy right for me or should I go in person?
A: If you are looking for more of a one on one, individualized approach then you found it! Virtual physical therapy is always one on one with your PT and highly personalized to meet your needs! Virtual physical therapy is best suited for those who are self-motivated as it requires follow through on your part throughout the week. Virtual PT is a coaching program which allows me, as your PT, to come along side you and help you to find out how to better reach your personal fitness and performance goals. Your program will be uniquely tailored specifically to the goals you want to achieve.
Q: Is virtual physical therapy even effective?
A: Yes, virtual physical therapy can be just as effective as in person PT. During the pandemic, patient satisfaction with virtual physical therapy was 92% with in person PT being just 5% higher. In a randomized control trial comparing the effects of virtual physical therapy post total knee arthroplasty to in person physical therapy treatment the conclusion stated, “Relative to traditional home or clinic PT, virtual PT with telerehabilitation for skilled clinical oversight significantly lowered 3-month health-care costs after TKA while providing similar effectiveness.” ¹
The American Physical Therapy Association supports the use of virtual physical therapy to help address the issue of rising healthcare costs, the disparity in accessibility of healthcare, and the impact of potential healthcare worker shortages. “The American Physical Therapy Association recognizes telehealth as a well‐defined and established method of health services delivery.” ² A virtual PT can help you by being an accountability partner which is sometimes lacking between visits with in person physical therapy. Instead of 2 or 3x per week a virtual PT is available on demand to answer any questions and to send you tips to stay motivated. Accountability plays a huge role in patient performance and rehab.
The American Physical Therapy Association supports the use of virtual physical therapy to help address the issue of rising healthcare costs, the disparity in accessibility of healthcare, and the impact of potential healthcare worker shortages. “The American Physical Therapy Association recognizes telehealth as a well‐defined and established method of health services delivery.” ² A virtual PT can help you by being an accountability partner which is sometimes lacking between visits with in person physical therapy. Instead of 2 or 3x per week a virtual PT is available on demand to answer any questions and to send you tips to stay motivated. Accountability plays a huge role in patient performance and rehab.
Q: What does a virtual PT session look like?
A: We will conference via video call and we will start by talking through your history and main concerns which you would like to address. Then, I will ask you to set up your camera in a way so that I can see your movement and provide some analysis. We will go through a movement screen and determine what areas we will need to focus on to get you moving more optimally. If your injury is related to desk work, I may ask to see your set up if you work from home. If your injury is related to running, I may ask you to get on a treadmill and provide running gait analysis. After the evaluation portion we will go over activities such as flexibility exercises, core work, strength training, or even running drills which will be tailored to your unique needs. We will set the plan of weekly check ins and establish expectations of how you and I will work together to accomplish your goals.
Q: Can I use my insurance plan for virtual physical therapy?
A: Virtual physical therapy with Back in Stride PT is a coaching service and is cash pay up front. However, if you have out of network benefits with your insurance, you can request a superbill to be provided to you for each session to submit to your insurance to receive reimbursement for services received if you currently reside in New York, or New Jersey where Michaela Lanae Desir, PT DPT is licensed. If you live outside those two states, then you will be unable to utilize your out of network benefits.
Q: What do I need in order to have a successful virtual physical therapy session?
A: A reliable internet connection and either your phone or computer video camera.
Q: What conditions do you treat virtually?
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Prenatal and postnatal issues
• Osteoarthritis
• Sports related injuries (ankle, foot, hand, elbow, wrist, knee, hip, shoulder, etc.)
• Vestibular disorders
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
• Some orthopedic post-op conditions
• Neck pain
• Prenatal and postnatal issues
• Osteoarthritis
• Sports related injuries (ankle, foot, hand, elbow, wrist, knee, hip, shoulder, etc.)
• Vestibular disorders
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
• Some orthopedic post-op conditions
References
1. Prvu Bettger, Janet ScD1; Green, Cynthia L. PhD2; Holmes, DaJuanicia N. MS2; Chokshi, Anang DPT3; Mather, Richard C. III MD, MBA1,2; Hoch, Bryan T. DPT1; de Leon, Arthur J. MPT1; Aluisio, Frank MD4; Seyler, Thorsten M. MD, PhD1; Del Gaizo, Daniel J. MD5; Chiavetta, John MD6; Webb, Laura BS2; Miller, Vincent MMCi2; Smith, Joseph M. MD, PhD3,7; Peterson, Eric D. MD, MPH2. Effects of Virtual Exercise Rehabilitation In-Home Therapy Compared with Traditional Care After Total Knee Arthroplasty: VERITAS, a Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 102(2):p 101-109, January 15, 2020. | DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.19.00695
2. American Physical Therapy Association, “Telehealth Physical Therapy Is Provided by Licensed Therapists, Not Technology,” APTA, September 22, 2021
2. American Physical Therapy Association, “Telehealth Physical Therapy Is Provided by Licensed Therapists, Not Technology,” APTA, September 22, 2021
© 2024 by Back in Stride PT. All Rights Reserved.
© 2024 by Back in Stride PT. All Rights Reserved.