Physios struggle to help patients via tele-therapy

“My 74-year-old aunt needs regular therapy after she underwent surgeries. Since the government has imposed a total lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country, the clinic has been offering video call services to her,” said Balaji, a resident of Pallavaram.

Balaji said that the video call services are not effective like offline sessions but there is no option available now. “Initially, they (private clinic) didn’t even offer the teleservice due to complete lockdown. After repeated pleas, the clinic decided to treat my aunt.”

Nakeeran, a physiotherapist in the city, said, “Many patients come to us for back, neck and leg pain. After the lockdown was announced, people are confined to their houses. Lack of stress and physical work has reduced the pain this bringing down the need for a therapist. For extreme and emergency cases, we are providing help through platforms such as WhatsApp.”

He added that Tamil Nadu State Physiotherapy Council (TNSPC) has asked them not to open the clinic and treat the patients only in emergency cases. “Many therapists have left the city for their native places due to lockdown. Further, since the therapy needs too much close contact, we were advised to close the clinic.

Many of our patients are elderly people. We can’t risk them by visiting their places,” Nakeeran added.

Private clinics in Anna Nagar, whom DT Next spoke to, said that they are getting many calls from patients.

“We are giving instructions via phone. We hope the government would allow us to operate from May first week,” said a therapist.