Physical therapy from home can be an effective option for many Veterans

A physical therapy appointment used to mean taking time away from work and spending time on the road. For Navy Veteran Joan Utley, VA’s TelePhysical Therapy makes things easier by bringing care straight to her home in Russellville, Kentucky.

VA offers virtual physical therapy appointments depending on a Veteran’s care needs and location. Instead of traveling to a VA facility, Veterans can use VA Video Connect, VA’s secure videoconferencing app, to connect with a VA physical therapist.

“I work from home, so it works great for me,” Utley said. “I just use my personal laptop, and I sit at my desk and have my appointments in the convenience of my own home.”

Getting care that fits the condition

Utley has done physical therapy before for other issues, including knee and back problems, but she said this experience with pelvic floor physical therapy has been different.

Her telehealth appointments are conversation-based. She and her physical therapist talk through symptoms, progress and ways to strengthen muscles and improve control. Between appointments, Utley receives emailed instructions and visuals to guide her as she does the exercises on her own.

Because pelvic floor therapy is different from the orthopedic physical therapy Utley has received in the past, she said it works well in a virtual setting.

VA physical therapist Jaimie Frazier said many Veterans find this to be the case. For many pelvic health issues, telehealth visits focus on education and home exercise guidance, which can make virtual care an effective option.

“Telehealth gives us the ability to continue providing consistent, high-quality care while making appointments easier for Veterans to attend,” Frazier said.

Saving time and reducing stress

For Utley, one of the biggest benefits is the time she saves. She lives 30 to 45 minutes away from the nearest VA facility, meaning each virtual appointment can save her between 60 to 90 minutes of travel.

“It’s very convenient,” she said. “It saves you from traffic, saves you from gas, you know, the cost of travel.”

Talk to your VA care team to see if TelePhysical Therapy is right for and available to you. For more information about telehealth services available to Veterans, visit VA Telehealth Services.