Telemedicine is a growing market, especially in light of the recent pandemic. Visiting your doctor or medical specialist from the comfort of your own home has never been easier or more convenient, and most patients, depending on their illness, find that they often prefer being able to speak virtually with a doctor without leaving their bed.
Individuals who suffer from chronic or severe back pain may be wondering if telemedicine is right for them and whether or not they will receive any benefit from it. However, patients have a variety of different aspects to consider when making the decision to utilize virtual appointments with their doctor, as we will discuss below. You can start by checking your spine condition with our online tool.
What Does Telemedicine Mean?
Telemedicine, also known as telehealth or telecare, is a kind of healthcare service provided to patients by their physicians over a video conference or a phone call. This patient experience was created to increase convenience for both parties as it allows patients to remain at home and gives medical staff more time to see a larger number of individuals.
Though they have existed since the 19th century, recent developments in technology have made “home visits” a more viable option than ever before. Conferencing software now allows physicians to safely share information such as x-rays, diagnostics, and other important documents with their patients through their computers.
Can Telemedicine Help People with Back Pain?
Back pain is among the most common maladies that adults experience in the US. While some individuals may live with chronic back pain, others suffer from pain caused by tension and stress that creates a variety of spinal and muscular problems.
One of the benefits of using telemedicine, or virtual appointments, when you have frequent back pain is that you can remain in one comfortable position during the conversation with your doctor. These appointments allow you to avoid sitting in traffic while you’re in pain or being forced to wait in the doctor’s office. Instead, you can recline with an ice pack or a heating pad and talk one-on-one with your physician.
Another advantage of appointments that take place over the phone or through the computer is that they often take much less time. Driving to and from a doctor’s office can take quite a bit of time out of your day, and it can be especially difficult if you are experiencing pain or discomfort. Telemedicine allows you to save time with an appointment that is direct and to-the-point and doesn’t involve a lengthy drive or filling out paperwork in a cold office.
How Can You Prepare for a Telemedicine Appointment?
When getting ready for a telemedicine appointment with your primary care physician, you should already have a few vital pieces of information at your fingertips prior to the consultation, which can include:
- A list of your symptoms or any key items you wish to discuss
- The duration and severity of your symptoms
- Photos or videos of physical symptoms
- Confirmation of whether your medication needs to be refilled or adjusted
Since the nature of virtual medical visits relies on the use of technology, it is important to ensure that your phone, tablet, or computer is able to conduct the appointment, in addition to:
- Making sure you are in a quiet place where you can hear your doctor
- Having paper and pen ready in case you need to take notes
- Preparing a thermometer, in case the doctor needs a read on your temperature
- Making yourself available at the designated time of the call
It is beneficial to take advantage of telemedicine appointments if your back pain is severe enough to prevent you from leaving your home, but it is also vital to recognize when that discomfort might indicate serious issues and you should seek medical treatment in person.
Alleviate Back Pain with the Experts at NJ Spine & Orthopedic
When telemedicine isn’t enough to identify or treat your severe back pain, you may want to consider other options. The experienced team at NJ Spine & Orthopedic can help you explore different treatment methods and find a recovery path that works best for you. With modern facilities in convenient locations and a team of knowledgeable specialists working around-the-clock, NJ Spine & Orthopedic ensures that our patients will be treated with the care and attention they deserve.
If you’re ready to get back to living your life pain-free, give us a call at (866) 272-9271 or reach out to us online to schedule your free consultation today.