In Home Physical Therapist: Guide & Tips

Can physical therapy be done at home?

Yes, physical therapy can certainly be done at home. In fact, home-based physical therapy is a common practice in many countries.

Physical therapy is primarily about:

• providing reassurance,
• delivering advice,
• and encouraging people to engage in exercice based on their capabilities and witches.

A physical therapist doesn’t require sophisticated equipment! Simple exercises and movements can be performed at home to promote recovery and improve physical well-being.

How often should you do PT at home?

There is no set minimum or maximum frequency for performing physical therapy at home. The frequency will depend on your specific needs!

They are determined during an initial assessment with your physical therapist.

Some people may require one session per week or even less, while others may benefit from daily sessions for a period of time.

The frequency of home physical therapy sessions will be tailored to your condition and treatment goals.

It is equally important for you to try incorporating the physical therapist’s advice into your daily activities independently. By doing so, you can reinforce the benefits of therapy and promote progress outside of formal sessions!

Your active participation and dedication to integrating the therapist’s guidance into your daily routines can greatly enhance the effectiveness of home physical therapy and contribute to long-term improvements in your function and well-being.

But of course, you’re still THE one who can decide whether or not to implement these tips. Depending on your own assessment of the benefits and constraints of rehabilitation!

When does a home physiotherapist comes to your home?

Most physical therapists work in private practices or clinics. Patients typically visit the clinic using their own means of transportation, and in some cases, they may be eligible for reimbursement of transportation expenses by health insurance through specialized medical vehicles or taxis.

However, in many countries, some physical therapists exclusively or partially provide home-based care, treating patients in the comfort of their own homes.

In home physical therapy for seniors

Home-based physical therapy can be beneficial for an elderly person who lives alone and is no longer able to drive. They may have been hospitalized in a medical or surgical unit due to a hip fracture caused by a fall at home, or as a result of a stroke, cancer, visceral or infectious problem, and more.

They may have undergone a few weeks of rehabilitation or not. While returning home, they still need to improve their walking ability or enhance their transfer skills to get out of bed. They reside too far from a physical therapy clinic to safely walk there without a significant risk of falling, or they may be unable to travel even with a wheelchair. They may also exhibit post-fall syndrome.

Home-based physical therapists also provide care to seniors already living in institutions where a physical therapist is not present. In such cases, independent physical therapists may be contracted, sometimes in collaboration with the institution.

These people may require rehabilitation to maintain their independence, particularly in cases of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, or other cognitive impairments.

Surgeries and accidents

For someone who has undergone knee replacement, hip replacement, gamma nail surgery, or shoulder surgery and is unable to drive for several weeks or months, a home-based physical therapist can be beneficial. The initial weeks of rehabilitation, between the surgery and the clinic-based sessions, take place at home.

In cases of other surgical procedures requiring rehabilitation where transportation is not possible, home-based physical therapy can be provided. Examples include:

• Spinal interventions (spinal fusion, vertebral osteosynthesis, vertebral fracture)
• Foot interventions or immobilization, ankle fracture, less commonly ankle sprain, elbow fracture, greater tuberosity fracture, shoulder replacement, patellar fracture, wrist fracture, etc.
• Lower or upper limb amputations or other vascular interventions
• Hand surgery
• Cardiovascular, digestive, or visceral surgery, etc.

Pediatric home health physical therapy

For a baby or young child in need of respiratory or motor physical therapy, having the therapy at home can be beneficial. In such cases, only one parent is present to take care of the children, and it can be challenging to arrange for childcare for other siblings while also managing multiple children during travel to a clinic.

Home-based respiratory therapy for babies, as well as rehabilitation for conditions such as developmental delays, prematurity, or spastic or non-spastic cerebral palsy, can be provided.

Physical therapists also provide intervention for acute respiratory conditions such as bronchiolitis, as well as chronic conditions like cystic fibrosis and asthma.

Additionally, physical therapists can offer home visits to new mothers who may find it difficult to travel for therapy sessions after giving birth.

Pain management

A physical therapist can make a home visit for a person experiencing acute back sprain and pain, or very painful sciatica and difficulty walking due to their pain. Driving may also be unimaginable for them considering the level of discomfort, although the pain typically subsides within a few days, allowing them to continue therapy sessions at a clinic if it is more suitable.

Home-based physical therapy can also be provided for the acute pain management of other body parts.

Physical therapists also offer treatment for positional vertigo and vestibular rehabilitation.

People with disabilities

Physical therapy in home is also for people with disability resulting from an accident or from birth, who may be bedridden most of the time at home or have difficulty moving outside their home.

Or for someone with a degenerative neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease…

Patient’s choice and personal preference

Finally, some people may prefer to have the intervention of a home physiotherapist, even if they are theoretically able to travel.

There is no need to justify the desire for home care to physiotherapists. Even if, in some countries, home physiotherapy may not be covered by health insurance and private health plans if the person’s health condition does not necessitate home care.

In home physical therapy that accepts medicaid?

You’re in the United States? There are providers of in-home physical therapy who accept Medicaid.

It is recommended to check with the local Medicaid office or contact Medicaid service providers in your area to inquire about the options available for in-home physical therapy covered by Medicaid.

There are publicly accessible lists that summarize in-home physical therapists covered by Medicaid in each locality. These lists are typically provided by state Medicaid agencies or managed care organizations that administer the Medicaid program. They can be found on the official websites of the respective agencies or organizations.

How much do home health physical therapists make?

To answer this question:

• I typed in the keywords: “income home physical therapist + country name”.
• I looked at the first 3 results
• I averaged these 3 results.

Of course, this is only an approximation of the income of home-based physiotherapists, as there are no official statistics or inter-country comparisons.

Here are the results:

Country	Annual income of home physical therapist
United-States	$85,000 to $95,000
India	INR 300,000 to INR 600,000
Canada	CAD 70,000 to CAD 90,000
Australia	AUD 70,000 to AUD 90,000
United-Kingdoms	£24,000 to £40,000

In France, a home session is billed at the same price as a session in the clinic, with an additional fee of 2.5 to 4 euros per session. These additional charges are covered by health insurance and private health insurance plans.

A physical therapist who exclusively works in home care does not have clinic expenses to pay. By working the same number of hours, a home care physical therapist therefore earns a little more than one who operates from a clinic, especially if they work in an area where their patients are located close to each other, reducing travel time.

Some home-based physiotherapists are employed, in which case the salaries are calculated differently.

Do you tip a home physical therapist?

In the United States 🇺🇲, tipping a home physical therapist is not common practice. Home physical therapists are generally considered healthcare professionals providing a medical service, similar to doctors or nurses, and tipping is not expected or necessary.

In France 🇫🇷, it is actually prohibited by law for physical therapists to accept money or gifts in kind. Some patients may still wish to express their gratitude in this way, but it is not at all expected by physical therapists.

Therefore, you can completely refrain from giving tips to a home physical therapist.

How long does a home physiotherapy session last?

Typically, a home physiotherapy session can last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

The duration will be determined based on the goals of the session and the individual requirements of the patient.

What does a home physiotherapist do?

A home physiotherapist does pretty much the same things as a physiotherapist you would see in a clinic! They’re there to help you with your physical therapy needs and work towards improving your overall mobility and function.

The cool thing about having a physiotherapist come to your home is that they get to see firsthand the challenges you face in your own environment. They’ll take a look around and use everyday objects and stuff you already have at home to create exercises and activities that are tailored specifically to you. It’s like bringing the clinic to your living room!

Being at home allows the physiotherapist to see exactly how you move and function in your day-to-day life. They can spot any difficulties or barriers you may be facing and work with you to overcome them right then and there. Plus, they can give you tips and tricks on how to use your surroundings to your advantage and make progress even faster.

It’s really all about making your therapy sessions practical, personalized, and super convenient.

The home physiotherapist is there to help you get back on track, using the familiar objects and space you’re already comfortable with. It’s like having a supportive and friendly coach right in your own home, cheering you on to reach your goals!