What injuries can we help you with via TeleHealth?
Ben Herde
March 19, 2020
Tele-health in action
Physiotherapy consults normally involve assessment, diagnosis and treatment/management
plans of an injury or niggle. The Treatment we chose to implement with each individual varies
depending on the individual and the latest research relating to that injury.
The different types of treatment include:
●Education
●Exercise and rehabilitation
●Referral to specialist or GP or referral for Imaging such as X-Ray.
●Load management plans (gym modifications, running programs, sports training
progressions.
●Posture Correction
●Hands on Therapy such as massage, dry needling and manipulation.
As you can see from the list above the only thing we can’t do over a virtual consult is the hands
on therapy but there is lots that we can offer so that your new niggle doesn’t get worse and you
can self manage or still continue to progress your current rehabilitation program so that your
current recovery does not stagnate or get behind.
Furthermore, over the past few years a lot more research has been put into the benefits of
strength exercise programs for treating many different injuries and that this approach is actually
more effective than hands on therapy! For example most knee surgeons are referring those
with meniscal knee injuries to physio for strengthening programs rather than surgery, Knee and
hip osteoarthritis has had outstanding results in reducing pain and disability, improving function
and preventing the need for joint replacements and there is also a lot of evidence to support
exercise therapy for chronic back pain.
Below are some examples of specific injuries that we can help with via a Video Consult. The list
is not exhaustive and if your unsure we welcome you to give us a call or email and we can give
you the best analysis we can as to whether we can help you via a Video consult.
Example injuries we can help with via a Video Consult:
Knee/Hip Osteoarthritis – home based strength exercise program and progressions
ACL Knee injuries:
there is a good amount of evidence supporting conservative management
with ACL injuries and this in support of good exercise and strength programs. If you were sick
and not able to come in we could help progress your current program as well as write you a new
one depending on what stage you are at.
Acute Lower Back Pain:
Most people would think hands on therapy is important in the first few
days but most of the time it is our education and advice that is the most helpful. Which
movements to avoid, suggestions on moving differently, suggestions of drugs you could ask
your GP about taking, stretching programs, posture correction tips. There are also many ways
people can learn to do self massage techniques to help get more temporary pain relief.
Chronic Back Pain:
Even though we haven’t been able to feel your back we will still be able to
assess by watching you move through the video. Then we can learn which areas are tight and
weak and design a core and pelvic strengthening program which has a lot of evidence in helping
lower back pain.
Headaches/Neck Pain:
Headaches are often driven from tension in the neck which is one thing
we wont be able to physically help but we can assess you via the video and confirm that the
headaches are driven from your neck and give you some self release techniques as well as
start to work on an exercise program that helps improve posture and reduce tension in the neck.
Stress management suggestions are also very effective if relevant for the individual.
Post Operative Shoulder/Knee:
Whilst our manual therapy is important in the early days to help reduce the tension and swelling
around joints after surgery the majority of what we are doing is building a program of strength
exercises and progressing this each week. This component of post op physio is still possible via
a video consult.
Shoulder Bursitis:
Commonly irritated from overload of the shoulder and weakness around
the shoulder muscles. Whilst some manual therapy can be very effective in reducing pain
temporarily in these niggles the longer term solution is again strengthening the shoulder blade
muscles. This is something we can assess and treat online and can try to give you some tips to
do some self release of the muscles.
Muscle Strains (Hamstring/Calf):
Usually in the first two days after an acute injury we are not
able to do any manual therapy anyway due to making any bleeding worse so we mostly educate
and advise and after 2 days some massage does help loosen off some tension but this is
something we could teach you to do from home.
The most important part of treating a muscle strain is rebuilding strength! Essentially the
muscles pull apart during a strain and building up the strength helps these fibres knit back
together and ensures the muscles is stronger to prevent future strains and tears! Building these
exercise programs and progressions online is easy to do!
Achilles Tendinopathy/Overload:
Often these are related to overload/over-training so our
advice around how much rest/activity modification is paramount in settling these injuries down
quickly and then teaching you how to strengthen your calf and Achilles in the best way to reduce
pain and allow you to train more again.
How to book a Video consult with us:
Telehealth is an emerging space. We have some software platforms available that are easy to use by simply clicking on a link. Appointments can be made by calling 5277 2151 or booking online. When booking please state you are looking for a telehealth consult.
What is the price of an E Consult?
Initial consultation cost: $65
Subsequent consultation cost: $50