Virtual Physiotherapy: How Does it Work?
If you’ve ever heard the term virtual physiotherapy and thought, “Wait… how could physio possibly work online?” — you’re not alone.
Physiotherapy has long been seen as a very hands-on profession. Many people’s past experiences with physiotherapy include joint mobilizations, machines, and treatments done to them. If that’s what comes to mind when you think of physio, it’s natural to wonder how any of that could possibly translate to a video call.
Physiotherapy Is More Than Hands-On Treatment
Physiotherapy today — especially for people living with chronic pain — looks quite different than it used to.
We now know that pain isn’t just about what’s happening in your muscles or joints. Pain is influenced by many factors: your body, your thoughts and emotions, your environment, and your past experiences. A UK organization called Flippin’ Pain sums it up well: “When it comes to pain, everything matters.”
As our understanding of pain has evolved, the profession of physiotherapy has evolved right along with it. Modern physiotherapy focuses less on hands-on-techniques alone and more on education, movement, calming an overprotective system and helping you build confidence in your body. These are things that translate extremely well to a virtual setting. In fact, research has shown that virtual physiotherapy can be just as effective, and sometimes even more effective, than in-person care for people living with chronic pain.
What a Virtual Physiotherapy Appointment Actually Looks Like
For many people, the biggest barrier to virtual care is simply not being able to picture what a virtual appointment looks like. So let’s walk through it.
Before your appointment, you’ll receive an email with a secure video link. When it’s time for your appointment, you just click the link and join. It’s as easy as a FaceTime or Zoom call.
Once we’re connected, we start with a conversation. We’ll talk about what you've been experiencing, and how pain is affecting your day-to-day life.
From there, we move into the physical assessment. I’ll guide you through specific movements to observe how your body and joints are moving. I typically look at things like range of motion, strength, balance, and how specific movements impact your pain. I often use questionnaires or simple measures that we can repeat over time to track your progress.
Creating a Plan That Fits You
After the assessment, we create a plan together based on your goals and what feels right for you.
This plan might include:
exercises specifically chosen to support your goals
practical strategies you can use to help manage your symptoms
education to help you better understand your pain and feel more in control
tools to help a nervous system that’s become a little too protective
a gradual, paced return to activities that matter most to you
This is not a one-size-fits-all program. Everything is tailored to what feels meaningful and sustainable for you.
Why Virtual Physiotherapy Can Be a Great Fit
Virtual physiotherapy offers more than just convenience. It allows you to dedicate your energy to doing your therapy, rather than spending that energy getting to your therapy. Being seen in your home also helps make care more relevant to your real life — whether that’s how you sit at your desk, move around your kitchen, or manage household chores.
If you have questions about virtual physiotherapy or are wondering whether it might be a good fit for you, please feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to chat and help you decide what kind of support makes the most sense for you.