Is Virtual Care at Origin Right for You?

Most people have a hard time imagining physical therapy without physical touch. Hands-on care has become such a cornerstone of physical therapy that when I tell people that we treat patients virtually at Origin, I always hear the same response: "How?!" And then, when I clarify that we treat pelvic floor patients virtually, their jaws just drop.

As a doctor of physical therapy and a board-certified specialist in pelvic and women's health, I can assure you that virtual care at Origin can lead to fantastic results. Even better, it offers extra benefits that you can only get if you meet with one of our PTs from home.

Here are 6 reasons why our virtual visits might be the perfect option for you.

1. Get the best care, from anywhere.

Qualified pelvic floor physical therapists are few and far between. In the U.S. there is approximately 1 pelvic floor PT for every 4000 women who need care for a wide range of pelvic floor symptoms, ranging from sneeze-induced bladder leaks to pain with sex.

With Origin, you can see a highly-qualified pelvic floor PT, no matter where you live. All of our virtual providers are trained pelvic floor specialists who are some of the top clinicians in the field.

We also strive to provide inclusive care. If you're LGBTQ+ with vaginal anatomy and/or preparing or recovering from vaginoplasty, we've got you.

2. Learn hands-on healing skills.

When patients request in-person physical therapy, they often expect to receive manual therapy like trigger point release or myofascial work. In the clinic, physical therapists rarely teach you to perform these techniques on your own because there's no need — they can easily do them for you again at your next session.

You don’t need someone else’s hands to “fix” you... you can develop your own healing touch.

Virtual physical therapists take a different approach. If you need hands-on assessment or therapy, we teach you to do them on your own at home. An empowering side-effect is that you realize that you don’t need someone else’s hands to “fix” you. With the help of your virtual physical therapist, you can use the same feel-good techniques that you might experience in the clinic and begin to develop your own healing touch.

3. Relieve and prevent pain, on the spot.

One of the biggest upsides of virtual care is that it gives your physical therapist an even greater understanding of the challenges you face on a daily basis. Through your laptop, tablet, or phone, we can observe the way you move as you care for your baby, use your home exercise gear, sit at your desk, or do chores.

With this insight, we can guide you in making big and small adjustments (to both your posture and your surroundings) that can improve your progress and prevent pain and injury.

4. Make it easier to get started.

If you’ve been putting off seeing a pelvic floor PT because you’re reluctant to go to a clinic, you’re not alone. Less than half of women with urinary incontinence and fewer than 30% of those with fecal incontinence seek care for their symptoms.

For patients who have had a pregnancy loss or struggle with fertility, being around pregnant patients can be heartbreaking. For those who have experienced sexual trauma, the prospect of a pelvic floor assessment can keep them away.

Getting virtual care from the safety and comfort of home can help you start the healing process without having to jump as many physical or emotional hurdles.

5. Stay within your budget.

Our mission at Origin is to make the highest quality pelvic floor physical therapy accessible to all women and individuals with vaginal anatomy, across the U.S. That means getting care has to be convenient and affordable.

Unlike the vast majority of pelvic floor physical therapists out there, we take insurance. Not currently covered? Our cash rates ($150 for a virtual evaluation and $75 for virtual follow-ups) are far less than you’d pay for most other types of specialist care.

6. Stick with PT and meet your goals.

At Origin, patients who choose virtual visits see their PT more often. This one is a no-brainer: Instead of hiring a babysitter, getting ready to leave the house, navigating traffic, and checking in at a clinic, all you have to do is join a Zoom. That makes fitting visits into your schedule a breeze, even on busy days.

9 out of 10 patients rate the virtual care they receive at Origin as excellent.

We’ve designed virtual care at Origin to support your success, starting with a digital dashboard where you can see videos of all the exercises you’ve been assigned, get custom resources, and track your progress. We're happy to say that 9 out of 10 patients rate the virtual care they receive at Origin as excellent.

Whether you're struggling to find a qualified pelvic floor PT near you, can't wait weeks for an appointment, or want to reap the benefits of doing PT from home, don't hesitate to book a visit. We're excited to start working with you.