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One aspect of home health care that is growing in popularity is at-home physical therapy. We all know that physical therapy is a critical component of recovery for patients which helps people improve their mobility, function, and motion as well as to effectively manage pain after they have suffered an illness, injury, or surgery.
However, functional mobility is limited and many people are unable to safely leave their homes. This is where at-home physical therapy comes into play as the best option for those who have difficulty leaving their home.
As most physiotherapy services can be easily carried out at people’s homes today, below, we take a look at what the advantages of effective at-home physical therapy are and how helpful it can be for people who struggle with their day-to-day activities.
Better Patient Comfort
The leading benefit of at-home physiotherapy is understandably comfort. Patients feel much more at ease when they’re treated in the comfort of their own home and when they are familiar with the overall environment. This brings them peace of mind and mental relief as opposed to having to familiarize themselves with their physical therapy clinic’s new surroundings when attending traditional physical therapy sessions.
Studies that have examined habituation as a key behavioral factor in human beings show that repeated exposure to stimulus causes a decline in response. Simply said, people get used to things and we stop paying as much attention to something the second we get used to it. On the other hand, people are affected by new stimuli when they’re in an unfamiliar environment. This stimulus can disrupt our brain from paying attention to our recovery and what truly matters.
For this reason, a comforting and familiar environment like our home can make a world of difference for our mental state and concentration during a rehabilitation process.
The Opportunity to Use Virtual Therapy
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One of the advantages of at-home physical therapy is that patients can now get access to advanced technology such as virtual reality physical therapy in the comfort of their homes. With the guidance of caring clinicians, virtual reality exercises are provided which are adaptive, precise, and personalized, aimed at making patients feel their best.
VR is no longer just for video gamers. On the contrary, with the technological advancements, improved affordability, creative users can now use this technique to adhere to their at-home rehabilitation regimen without having to leave their house. With virtual reality programs available today, patients can do a lot more from home and medical professionals can provide more adaptable, effective treatments and rehab plans. Virtual reality makes physical therapy a lot more fun as it turns their exercises into games, but also increases their strength and their cognitive abilities.
Easier Post-Op Recovery
When you or someone close to you has undergone a difficult surgery, transitioning back into the daily routines can be challenging, and oftentimes, the assistance of professionals is required. This is commonly known as post-operative recovery and may come in the form of adaptive equipment assistance or medical guidance from a licensed health practitioner.
One of the most helpful tips to improve independent mobility post-op is by swapping out the old mattress and opting for a bariatric bed. These types of beds are electric adjustable beds that support patients who may need additional features to help support them in their daily lives.
In addition, it can also be used by people who are obese and have a hard time finding a mattress that supports their weight. A bariatric bed can allow the individual to get out of bed alone, by raising the bed’s head section and lowering the foot section so they can safely slide their legs to the ground and use the bed rails for extra support.
These beds are really important for those people who happen to live alone and have nobody to help speed up their at-home recovery. To make things even better, today some bariatric beds also support voice control which makes them incredibly useful for post-op patients who need help daily over an extended period.
Resumption of Normal Routines and Activities
Physical therapists can provide treatment based on patient’s regular routines. When at home, patients may need to go up and down the stairs or perform activities daily. Physical therapists can in such cases give patients exercises and treatments customized to the context of what they’ll be doing on a normal day. This type of customization is much more effective than only being treated in terms of the injury itself.
The main objective of physical therapy is to help patients continue their normal routines and activities. At-home physical therapy can help therapists be more observant, get a better understanding of their patients and the activities they perform.
If a patient needs to walks their dog every day, then the therapists will focus on their mobility. Personalizing their treatment is invaluable for the patient’s journey to recovery.
Final Thoughts
Physical therapy is a tremendous commitment and sometimes requires in-person appointments multiple times per week. At-home physical therapy has therefore become a preferable alternative and has shown significant advantages for patients, therapists, and the health care system at large. Patients with limited functional mobility have recognized the positive advantages of at-home physical therapy and see it as the most appropriate setting for an optimal recovery outcome.