Virtual physical therapy, also known as telehealth physical therapy, has emerged as a transformative approach in the healthcare industry, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This innovative method allows patients to receive physical therapy services remotely, leveraging technology to connect with licensed physical therapists through video conferencing, phone calls, and other digital platforms.
The convenience and accessibility of virtual physical therapy have made it an attractive option for many, especially those with mobility issues, busy schedules, or living in remote areas.
In this article, we will explore the 7 best virtual physical therapy services available today. These platforms have been selected based on their effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and the range of services they offer.
1. Pain Management Consultation
Virtual Physical Therapy with Sophia Anderson, PT, DPT, provides a comprehensive and personalized approach to pain management and physical rehabilitation. This service is designed for the convenience of patients, allowing them to receive expert physical therapy from the comfort of their homes.
Each session is tailored to the individual needs of the patient. Sophia Anderson, a licensed physical therapist with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, conducts thorough assessments to develop customized treatment plans addressing specific pain points and rehabilitation goals. The virtual format eliminates the need for travel, making it easier for patients to fit therapy sessions into their busy schedules. This is especially beneficial for individuals with mobility issues or those living in remote areas.
The service focuses on a holistic approach to pain management, incorporating various techniques such as therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and patient education. This multifaceted approach aims to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance the overall quality of life. Patients receive one-on-one attention from Sophia Anderson, ensuring they get the most out of each session. Her expertise and experience in physical therapy provide patients with the confidence and support needed to achieve their rehabilitation goals.
Virtual sessions utilize secure video conferencing platforms to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality. Additionally, patients have access to digital tools and resources that support their therapy, such as exercise videos and progress tracking apps. This setup offers flexibility, allowing patients to schedule sessions at convenient times without the constraints of traditional office hours.
2. Greylock Physical Therapy
Greylock Physical Therapy offers self-pay virtual telehealth services, facilitated by Lisa J. Baumgart, MPT, FAFS, IFNCP, a highly experienced practitioner with specialized training. These sessions focus on personalized exercises to enhance mobility and strength, tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Lisa’s expertise ensures that patients receive effective treatment for their conditions.
Convenience is a hallmark of Greylock Physical Therapy’s approach. Patients can schedule and attend sessions from the comfort of their homes, using a smartphone or computer. This eliminates the hassle of travel and provides greater flexibility in scheduling. The cost of these virtual sessions is $70 per half hour, making it an affordable option for those without insurance or those seeking flexible payment options.
The technology used for these sessions is user-friendly and accessible. The platform, Doxy.me, is free and easy to navigate, ensuring seamless connection between patients and their therapist. In addition to the virtual sessions, patients receive education on self-mobilization techniques and personalized exercises to aid in their recovery process.
A wide range of conditions can be addressed through Greylock Physical Therapy’s virtual services, including sprains, strains, tendonitis, arthritis, back and neck pain, and post-surgical recovery. Patients interested in beginning virtual therapy can do so by visiting the Greylock Physical Therapy website to purchase session time. Once purchased, patients call the clinic to schedule their appointment. At the designated time, patients simply click on a provided link, enter a virtual waiting room, and begin their consultation.
3. CityPT Virtual
CityPT Virtual offers virtual physical therapy sessions with personalized treatment plans and access to exercise demonstrations. Their services cater to various conditions like back pain, sports injuries, and post-surgical recovery.
Each patient at CityPT receives a customized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs and goals. This personalized approach ensures effectiveness and targets individual concerns. Additionally, patients have access to exercise demonstrations, aiding in understanding and correctly performing prescribed exercises. This feature is valuable for ensuring proper technique and maximizing exercise benefits.
CityPT’s virtual sessions offer convenience and flexibility. Patients can schedule sessions at times convenient for them, including evenings and weekends, making it easier to incorporate therapy into their busy lives. The comprehensive care provided includes real-time video consultations, text messaging, home exercise video programs, email communication, and phone calls.
Patients receive care from licensed and vetted physical therapists dedicated to helping them recover and achieve their health-related goals. CityPT’s virtual services are suitable for various conditions such as back pain, sports injuries, post-surgical recovery, chronic pain management, and balance and stability issues.
To get started, patients can choose a licensed therapist from CityPT’s network, with many available within three days or less for quick initiation. They then provide information about their condition and goals, helping the therapist prepare for the first session. Patients can begin care by meeting with their therapist virtually or in person, depending on their preference and needs.
4. A Step Ahead Physical Therapy
A Step Ahead Physical Therapy offers telehealth services to help patients manage musculoskeletal conditions from the comfort of their homes. This service is especially useful for those who have difficulty traveling to a clinic or who prefer the convenience of home-based care.
The telehealth services are available at a cash price of $45 per 15-minute increment, with a maximum cost of $180 for a one-hour session. This pricing structure allows for flexibility depending on the length and frequency of the sessions that the patient requires.
During these sessions, patients engage in video conferences with licensed physical therapists who assess their conditions and provide tailored exercises or advice. This ensures that patients receive professional guidance and support without needing to leave their homes. One unique advantage of this service is that therapists can see patients in their home environment, allowing them to offer more personalized advice on how to use household items and spaces for exercises.
Insurance may cover the service, and the Front Office Coordinator can verify this information for patients. The service offers several benefits, including the convenience of scheduling appointments that fit personal schedules, reducing the need for travel and wait times. The ability to see patients in their home environment allows therapists to provide more customized care plans. Additionally, the pricing structure is straightforward and can be more affordable compared to traditional in-person visits, especially when considering travel and time costs.
5. ATI Physical Therapy
ATI Physical Therapy’s CONNECT platform is a comprehensive virtual service offering one-on-one sessions with licensed physical or occupational therapists. It is designed to provide high-quality, convenient, and effective care.
The platform offers personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs. Through live video appointments, therapists evaluate patients, establish appropriate care plans, and guide them through their treatments. Over 90% of patients report positive outcomes, reflecting the platform’s effectiveness and quality of care.
CONNECT utilizes advanced audio/visual technology to ensure accurate assessments and effective monitoring of patient progress. This technology helps therapists track movements and ensure exercises are performed correctly. The platform also offers convenient and accessible scheduling, with appointments available during nights and weekends, catering to those with demanding schedules or transportation challenges.
Patients benefit from quick access to care, typically being seen within 48 hours, which is faster than many traditional in-person appointments. The platform supports continuous communication between patients and therapists, ensuring ongoing support and adjustments to care plans as needed. Additionally, virtual sessions can be more cost-effective by eliminating travel expenses and reducing the need for time off work.
6. Virtual PT NYC
Virtual PT NYC is a leading physical therapy clinic in New York City that specializes in virtual teleconference and video conference appointments. They offer services for various conditions, including pelvic floor dysfunction and musculoskeletal injuries. Virtual PT NYC provides a safe and positive online environment for physical therapy, focusing on pain reduction and quality of life improvement. They specialize in care for women with pelvic floor and deep core imbalances and offer general physical therapy for injuries, posture improvement, and performance enhancement.
The clinic collaborates with insurance carriers to keep out-of-pocket costs low for patients. They accept Medicare with a doctor’s prescription or referral, and most insurance companies cover therapy without a prescription, making their services accessible and affordable.
Virtual PT NYC emphasizes convenience, allowing patients to receive care without the need to travel. This is especially beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it minimizes exposure risks. The platform is user-friendly and requires no complicated downloads—patients can start their sessions with a simple click on their phone or computer.
The clinic provides one-on-one attention during virtual sessions to ensure personalized care. They also train family members to assist with the patient’s therapy, enhancing the support system at home. This holistic approach helps patients achieve better outcomes and gain long-term knowledge about their conditions.
7. Agile Physical Therapy
Agile Physical Therapy provides telehealth physical therapy services using a HIPAA-compliant video platform, ensuring patient privacy and security. They offer personalized exercise programs and treat a wide range of conditions.
All Agile physical therapists are certified in telehealth physical therapy and have extensive training in performing virtual evaluations and treatments. They understand the nuances of remote care and are skilled in using household items to assess strength and movement quality.
Agile Physical Therapy focuses on creating individualized exercise programs tailored to each patient’s goals. During virtual sessions, therapists guide patients through exercises and send detailed instructions via email. They also offer a downloadable app with exercise program videos, allowing patients to exercise anywhere.
Agile Physical Therapy treats a variety of conditions, including sports injuries, pelvic floor dysfunction, back pain, neck pain, and post-operative recovery. They provide specialized care for new mothers, addressing issues like back pain and incontinence. Agile Physical Therapy boasts high patient satisfaction rates, with 93% of patients reporting a decrease in pain after virtual physical therapy. The cost per episode of care for patients who received a mix of virtual and in-person visits decreased by 47%, and scheduling was 60% faster compared to in-person visits.
8. Agile Virtual PT
Agile Virtual PT is a comprehensive telehealth platform offering personalized virtual physical therapy from licensed physical therapists. The service begins with an initial video consultation where the therapist discusses the patient’s condition, pain points, and goals. Based on this, they create a customized treatment plan tailored to the individual. Throughout the entire course of care, the same physical therapist works with the patient, ensuring consistent one-on-one attention.
Agile Virtual PT treats a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries and pain points, such as back, knee, shoulder, ankle, and hip issues. Additionally, they offer specialized virtual physical therapy for conditions like oncology rehabilitation for cancer patients, women’s health issues like pelvic floor dysfunction, post-COVID recovery to regain strength and mobility, and care for elderly patients and weekend warriors.
All providers at Agile Virtual PT are licensed physical therapists with extensive training in musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. This expertise allows them to thoroughly evaluate the root cause of a patient’s issues and develop an effective, evidence-based plan.
Agile Virtual PT is licensed to operate in over 40 U.S. states, providing a wide geographic footprint to treat patients virtually across the country. The virtual model offers convenience and accessibility, allowing patients to receive high-quality physical therapy from the comfort of their homes and on their own schedules, eliminating the need for commuting. All that is required is a smartphone or laptop and an internet connection.
9. Kaia Health
Kaia Health uses an app-based approach to virtual physical therapy, incorporating artificial intelligence and computer vision technology. A key feature of their program is AI-guided exercise therapy. The Kaia Health app offers customized 15-minute exercise routines that combine mobility, strengthening, and mindfulness exercises. By utilizing the smartphone camera and motion tracking AI, the app provides real-time feedback on exercise form, ensuring users perform the exercises correctly.
Their “Motion Coach” technology leverages computer vision to analyze the user’s movements during exercises. This technology can detect when corrections are necessary and provide prompts, mimicking the feedback typically given by an in-person physical therapist.
In addition to AI guidance, users also have access to certified health coaches via in-app chat. These coaches offer further instruction, motivation, and support to enhance the user’s experience.
Beyond exercise therapy, the Kaia app includes educational components. Users can access lessons on chronic pain management, improving posture, and general musculoskeletal health, which contribute to a holistic approach to physical therapy. Kaia Health’s program has been clinically validated through research studies, demonstrating that their 12-week program can offer pain relief comparable to six sessions of traditional in-person physical therapy.
The app’s accessibility and convenience are significant advantages. Kaia Health provides 24/7 access to care from any location using just a smartphone or tablet, without the need for additional equipment. This makes it a practical and flexible solution for individuals seeking effective physical therapy.
