With the rise of covid-19, accessing healthcare has been a weird experience. Although physiotherapy is an essential service, clients have been hesitant about coming into clinics and rightfully so. Options like physiotherapy at home have received more attention as a result. It puts the client in control of their therapeutic environment while allowing the physiotherapist to bring the clinic to them. Physiotherapy home visits replicate what a client would normally get from a clinic while keeping sanitary standards up to par.
The client would book the appointment as they usually would via phone call or online booking. Afterwards, they’d receive an intake form with a covid-19 pre-screening questionnaire. Once booked, the client is advised to dress in athletic or loose wear to help with any exercises they’ll need to do upon their session. Once the physiotherapist arrives, they’ll set up their treatment table. Treatment involves techniques of soft tissue release, myofascial stretching, joint mobilization, adjustments, posture correction, ergonomics, and tailored exercises.
IS PHYSIOTHERAPY AT HOME AS EFFECTIVE?
The level of care is identical to what you’d receive in the clinic, and here’s why: physiotherapy home visits involve the physiotherapist bringing all the equipment you’d get in the clinic. This includes a portable treatment table, all sanitary equipment & PPE, resistance bands, TRX, and all physiotherapy-specific tools. There is really nothing missing from this experience. It only adds the convenience of receiving physical therapy in home. You’re eliminating the need to drive all the way to the clinic, park the car, and wait for your appointment to begin.
Physiotherapy home visits treat a wide range of pains, injuries, disorders, and function losses. Your issue can be anywhere from a sore neck to a post-surgical knee replacement, and physiotherapy at home would still apply. In fact, because the physiotherapist can go to the patient’s home, this enables access to people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to commute to receive their care. Just think about the struggle one must go through to get into the clinic if they badly sprained their ankle(s) and aren’t able to put any weight on their feet. Or another case might be that a patient may not have access to a mode of transportation to get them into the clinic during working hours.
CAN ANYONE DO PHYSICAL THERAPY FROM HOME?
Absolutely. Not every clinic offers physiotherapy home visits which is why you may not have heard of it before. But there aren’t any special circumstances, restrictions, requirements, or any forms/referrals needed to do physiotherapy at home. Think of it as identical to the typical physiotherapy treatment you’d receive in the clinic. Whether we call it physical therapy from home or physical therapy in home, it’s the same thing.
People who typically use physical therapy in home include:
- Recent injuries that limit one’s ability to move (e.g. ankle sprain, knee twist, low back injury, etc.)
- Seniors with mobility restrictions
- Post-surgical knee or hip replacements
- Home environment safety/functional training
- Ergonomics setup for at-home workers
But one thing to keep in mind is that the list above is not exclusive – anyone requiring some form of care can receive physical therapy from home.
DO INSURANCE PLANS COVER PHYSICAL THERAPY IN HOME?
Most insurance plans will cover physiotherapy home visits the same way they cover normal physiotherapy sessions. Few plans (about 10-15% of them) require a doctor’s prescription to begin physiotherapy treatment. Some plans will cover a portion of the session (typically 80-90% coverage) while most will cover 100% of the session. Even if you have a WSIB claim for a work-related injury, your physiotherapy can be done at home. For more information, we can help find out what your extended health benefits plan will cover.