How much can actually be done with this service?

You will have continued contact with and support from your Physiotherapist or Kinesiologist during your rehab journey. You will understand what’s wrong, how to fix it, and what to expect. This is reassuring!
Your Physiotherapist can diagnose your injury. Over video, we can do many of the examination tests we would normally do, sometimes with assistance from the patient themselves. Research shows that the diagnostic accuracy of telerehab assessments is NOT inferior to face-to-face assessments.
Your Physiotherapist or Kinesiologist can provide treatment in the ways we usually do: education and self management tips for your condition, exercises and demonstrations, and progressions. Your Physiotherapist or Kinesiologist will follow up with emailed instructions and images for the exercises, and as usual, your Physiotherapist or Kinesiologist will continue to communicate your treatment plan to any referring physicians. Research has again shown that telerehab has produced physical and functional results that were comparable to (and better in some cases!) than those achieved through traditional face-to-face appointments. Research also indicates a high level of satisfaction reported by patients for the telerehab experience.

How can I trust this style of treatment?
Patients can expect the same safe, quality care that you would get during an in-person visit at Active Living Physiotherapy. Physiotherapists are required to meet the same Standards of Practice established by the College of PT’s of BC and Kinesiologists are held to the Standards of the BC Association of Kinesiologists. Appointments are completely confidential, not recorded, and charted normally. We use a secure, encrypted video platform built into our secure online booking and billing system. Visits are private: your Physiotherapist or Kinesiologist will be in their clinic office, and you can choose your choice of location at home. Is it safe? Absolutely! And rest assured, we have an emergency plan in place should something serious happen during your appointment. If you’re still not sure, please contact the clinic for more information. 

So, what’s the downside?
The primary downside is missing out on the hands-on portion of a physiotherapy treatment - massage, manual therapy, needling, etc. But we can adapt! We can teach you how to perform at-home treatment techniques with a foam roller, trigger point ball, family member assisted, or even common household items like a towel, belt, milk jugs or soup cans.
Approximately 50-70% of a Physiotherapy treatment consists of appropriate exercise prescription and patient education, which is easily done over phone and video calls.

What about the COST?
The good news is … telerehab is currently covered by most extended health companies (for Physiotherapy only.)
Active Living Physio offers 60 minute and 30 minute Physiotherapy and Kinesiology telerehab video appointments. Additionally, we are offering easy, contactless online payments with no need to touch cash or point of sale terminals!

What do I need? For video calls- an internet connection, an email address, a computer/laptop/tablet or mobile phone. Most computers, laptops, and tablets purchased in the last 5-10 years will work, as long as they have a camera and a microphone. If you are having audio feedback, a set of headphones will likely solve this. You'll also need a well-lit space to sit, stand and lie down (a mat or a bed) and possibly a short area to demonstrate walking (for lower body injuries). These are all things most people have! Don’t worry, you’ll get simple but detailed instructions when you book your appointment.

Telerehab in Physiotherapy

“Tele”-what? What is “Telerehab” or virtual care?
Telerehab is using a phone, computer, or tablet and the internet to deliver Physiotherapy and Kinesiology from a remote distance. This type of virtual care has been used for the last 5-10 years across many health professions and in many countries.

How can I benefit from seeing a Physiotherapist via virtual care?
Virtual care is an alternative way of delivering Physiotherapy and Kinesiology care when face-to-face appointments aren’t possible such as periods of social isolation, illness or poor weather conditions. It provides continued access to Physiotherapy and Kinesiology care for everyone, and especially those who may need it most: our front line workers who need to be healthy and functional, those whose elective surgeries have been cancelled yet still need care, those with traumatic injuries, and anyone in acute pain. Also, for those with limited mobility it will be easier to have a Physiotherapy or Kinesiology appointment in the comfort of your home instead of having to arrange transportation. Your Physiotherapist will still have access to any medical imaging reports (X-Rays, MRI’s, etc.) and your electronic Physiotherapy or Kinesiology record/chart online.