Travis Steele, RMT is in MY Thorold Spotlight for the month of May as we focus on National Physiotherapy Month (NPM). This year the annual health promotion could be a little different for healthcare providers in Thorold as we see a shift to virtual service and tele-rehabilitation.
In the past, NPM has been an opportunity for physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants across Canada to highlight how physiotherapy helps lives. These days with social distancing and stay home guidelines in Ontario, the annual healthcare promotion in 2020 could show how physiotherapists are turning to virtual visits to stay safe during the coronavirus crisis.
As Niagara healthcare providers, physiotherapists could shift the promotion to run online and show how physiotherapy can help patients recover from a range of ailments.
Thorold Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
For example Thorold Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation – pt Health is offering virtual care appointments. During regular service at the local clinic located on Pine Street South in Thorold, treatments could cover Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Chronic Condition Management,Sports Injury Rehabilitation, Concussion Management, among other specialties.
Tele-Rehabilitation
For Thorold residents seeking treatments, the promotion could focus on tele-rehabilitation for physiotherapy patients while the practitioners are in other locations. As an innovative service, tele-rehabilitation includes physiotherapy provided at a distance, either by telephone or online technologies such as video conferencing. You might also hear about tele-practice and virtual care when physiotherapy is promoted these days.
Although the traditional hands-on treatment techniques cannot be provided in a virtual service, when patients meet a physiotherapist online there are other benefits. For instance, in the virtual setting, physiotherapists can show a patient some techniques to rehab at home, as well as some specific exercises individualized for each person’s needs.
The virtual clinic offered by physiotherapists is gaining approval of healthcare insurance companies as the Niagara health care system continues to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tele-rehabilitation services are being covered by numerous insurance benefit plans. For example, Sun Life is taking action to help support their clients requiring enhanced medical support while social distancing. In the news recently, Sun Life rolled out free access to virtual health care services for its Group Benefits Clients with an Extended Health Care (EHC) benefit. In partnership with Dialogue, Sun Life clients will be able to use the virtual clinic to connect directly with a health care professional.
As the only rehabilitation hospital in Niagara, Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre provides physiotherapy among other services for Thorold residents and people from across the entire Region. For physiotherapy clinics in other communities in Niagara, find a clinic in the Niagara Healthcare Directory, with listings organized by locations and specialty.