By Andrew Lay, Physiotherapist
Should I use Telehealth for low back pain?
What is Telehealth?
“Telehealth” has been a buzzword in the media lately and you may be wondering what it is and whether your low back injury may be appropriate for it. Telehealth is the provision of health services through information and communication technology. For Physiotherapy and most other health services, this translates to online consultations. Check out the Google trends for “telehealth” and “telehealth physiotherapy” from January 1st 2020 to April 1st 2020:
Telehealth has existed for a long while and has long been an option for people to connect with their physiotherapist, doctor or other clinician from distant areas, interstate or overseas and has even been used by those who cannot leave their home or just want the convenience of seeing their health care provider from home. In my years as a Physiotherapist, I think Australia has made more progress in telehealth and the idea of online consultations in the past 1 month than the past few years.
Can we manage your low back pain through telehealth?
Absolutely yes! What you’ll need is a smartphone, laptop with a camera or webcam attached to your PC. During a telehealth or online physiotherapy session, we will have an in-depth face-to-face discussion about your low back so that we can gain the information we need to decide what’s wrong. Following this, we may ask you to perform some movements and functional tests in front of the camera which involve the low back to help us decide what we need to fix to help get you right again. This may include bending forwards, backwards and sideways, standing on one leg, performing a squat and muscle strength testing depending on how severe your symptoms are. This will require some space to allow for moving around and allow us to check your range, function and technique. After this, we are able to accurately prescribe an exercise rehab program to reduce your pain and improve your movements. Future sessions may be required to check up on how you’re going, progress your exercises and give you the “all clear” for work activities, sports and other hobbies which may have been limited by your low back pain. Through telehealth, we are able to achieve our mutual goal of getting you back to enjoying your hobbies and performing them well without pain, stiffness or any other restriction!
How to book?
Step 1: Look for the big orange “Book Online” link on the top right of any Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy page:
Step 2: Select a location between Essendon and Blackburn. The location won’t matter unless you would like an appointment with a specific physiotherapist.
Step 3: Select Telehealth appointment:
Step 4: Select the day and time that suits you
How can we help you?
At Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy our goal is to get you moving pain free as soon as possible. But, we also want you to actually move better and live a healthier, more active and fulfilling life!
If your sports, fitness training or work has been wearing your body down, book in with one of our expert physiotherapists or massage therapists so we can help you reduce your pain and get you moving again.
You can make an appointment by calling 03 9498 0205 or booking online.
BOOK ONLINE NOW TO FIX YOUR PAIN
Other Very Useful Blog Posts.
2. Running Injuries, and How Physiotherapy Can Help.
1. Medicare Rebates for Physiotherapy
4. Why Stretching a Painful Tendon Doesn't Work.
View previous Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy blog posts by clicking on the year below:
2020 - 2019 - 2018 - 2017 - 2016.