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When you think of physical therapy, you might think of an office with a lot of work-out equipment for athletes to go and recover from sports injuries. While this is sometimes the case, a physical therapist works with a variety of people (with different ages, hobbies, and injuries) and can perform in several different places such as a hospital, sports medicine center, or even in your home.
Circumstances for Home-Care Physical Therapy
Typically, a physical therapist would have you come to their office or clinic unless you request a private, home session. However, some circumstances influence where you have therapy. For example, if your condition is severe and mobility is limited, you would not want to be put at risk by traveling to an appointment. Likewise, if you do not have access to transportation a therapist can meet you in your home.
Why You Might Need Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a helpful resource that assists patients in recovering from trauma or post-surgery through exercises, stretches, massage, rehab, and practice. For seniors, you may need physical therapy after knee or hip replacement surgery—especially when making a transition to a cane or wheelchair. In cases where your mobility has been limited, physical therapy can help you learn how to complete daily tasks again.
Meeting With Your Physical Therapist
When you first meet with a physical therapist, they will perform different tests to identify areas of strength and weakness. This will help them understand what you need to work on to improve your mobility and become stronger. After your initial meeting, your physical therapist will help create a treatment plan that will highlight areas you need to work on as well as a plan for how you will complete you treatment. Having this meeting in your home can help you feel more comfortable and confident than you might feel in a clinic or hospital. It can also help the therapist understand what potential risks you have in your home, like stairs.
Home Physical Therapy Treatments
Recovering after a fall, surgery, or illness can be tough—and it is especially hard when you feel like you can not do things on your own. Meeting with a physical therapist can help you regain your independence as you practice exercises that will help you with balance, fall prevention, conserving energy, and using adaptive equipment. Home treatments regard your surroundings and help you prepare for the best practices in your home—like how to best lay, sit and move about your home.
Physical therapy, whether in your home or not, will help you recover and regain strength. However, being in your home will help you understand how to implement the exercises you practice while you experience the confidence you feel in your own home. Physical therapy will also help you become more mobile and independent.
Home physical therapy is covered by most insurance plans however, patients must be “homebound.'' This does not mean that the patient cannot leave their home. If you have questions regarding your coverage and homebound status, please call us at (208) 524-0685.