麻豆AV

Help is here for people who are strained or pained while stuck inside.

Virtual physiotherapy sessions are being offered amid the COVID-19 pandemic to connect patients with practitioners since clinics have closed.

鈥淲e鈥檙e just trying to take the load off the healthcare system,鈥� said physiotheraphist Tiffany de Heus, of Vernon鈥檚 Easthill Physiotherapy and Acupuncture.

With a large number of people stuck at home, many are taking the opportunity to complete home projects or get spring yard work done, which can lead to injuries.

Along with keeping patients out of the doctor鈥檚 offices, the online appointments are giving people relief from home.

鈥淚f they can鈥檛 access care the minute they鈥檙e injured they are at more risk for feeling worse down the line,鈥� said de Heus, whose own clinic temporarily closed March 18 but wanted to find a way to make sure the continuum of care was there for patients.

The process obviously isn鈥檛 the same as coming into the office, but can be effective in supporting recovery.

鈥淲e are a manual therapy clinic so we are very hands on, but you can鈥檛 do that, but you can still teach people how to stretch muscles and how to relieve the muscles themselves,鈥� said de Heus, adding that the virtual appointment alloys the physiotherapist to demonstrate stretches and then watch and perfect the client鈥檚 technique.

While the number of patients being seen virtually isn鈥檛 as high as the clinic would normally see in-person, appointments are going well and the service is expected to stick around, even when offices re-open and people aren鈥檛 isolating.

It鈥檚 perfect, said de Hues: 鈥渋f there鈥檚 a snowstorm or there鈥檚 a patient who鈥檚 dependent on a ride and they can鈥檛 get here.鈥�

A 15-year-old Vernon business, Easthill Physiotherapy is pleased to be able to continue serving residents amid these unusual times.

鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to be able to stay present for our community and be there for our community,鈥� said de Hues.

Like Easthill, many other local physiotherapists are also using online platforms to keep clients healthy. One other example is a Telerehab service with Spine and Sports.

鈥淛ust go to our website and it鈥檚 all there,鈥� said Cheryl Witter of Spine and Sports. 鈥淧lus I can show you my cat who is enjoying sitting with me while I 鈥榳ork.鈥欌��

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jennifer@vernonmorningstar.com
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