TelePhysical Therapy brings convenient care to Veterans' homes

The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded access to physical therapy through TelePhysical Therapy, a program that allows veterans to receive treatment via secure video appointments from their own homes instead of traveling to VA facilities. Using VA Video Connect, the department's secure videoconferencing application, veterans can now connect with VA physical therapists for certain types of care that don't require hands-on treatment.

Physical therapy is a common treatment option within the VA healthcare system, addressing conditions ranging from orthopedic injuries and chronic pain to specialized needs like pelvic floor dysfunction. Traditionally, these appointments have required veterans to schedule time away from work, arrange transportation, and spend considerable time traveling to and from VA medical centers. For veterans living in rural areas or those with mobility limitations, these logistical challenges can create barriers to consistent care and rehabilitation.

This service is available to veterans based on their specific care needs and geographic location, though the VA determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis. The program appears particularly well-suited for certain types of physical therapy that rely more heavily on education, exercise instruction, and progress monitoring rather than manual manipulation. Pelvic floor physical therapy, for example, often involves conversation-based sessions where therapists discuss symptoms and provide guided exercise programs that veterans complete independently between appointments.

Navy Veteran Joan Utley, who lives in Russellville, Kentucky, reported saving between 60 to 90 minutes of travel time per appointment by using TelePhysical Therapy, as she lives 30 to 45 minutes from the nearest VA facility. During her virtual sessions, she meets with her physical therapist via her personal laptop, discussing progress and receiving emailed instructions and visual guides for exercises to perform on her own. VA physical therapist Jaimie Frazier noted that telehealth enables the department to provide consistent, high-quality care while making appointments more accessible for veterans to attend.

For disabled veterans, this development represents a meaningful reduction in the physical and logistical burden of maintaining regular treatment schedules. Veterans managing service-connected disabilities often face compounding challenges when accessing care, including pain during travel, fatigue, difficulty with mobility, and the need to balance medical appointments with employment or family responsibilities. Virtual physical therapy options can help veterans maintain treatment consistency, which is often critical for documenting ongoing conditions and supporting disability claims or rating increases.

Veterans interested in TelePhysical Therapy should discuss the option directly with their VA care team to determine whether their specific condition and treatment plan are appropriate for virtual delivery. Not all physical therapy needs can be addressed remotely, particularly those requiring hands-on assessment or manual therapy techniques, so individual clinical judgment will guide whether telehealth is suitable. Veterans can also explore the full range of VA telehealth services to identify other areas where virtual care might reduce barriers to accessing their earned benefits and medical support.