Home Physiotherapy in Singapore

The main advantages of home physiotherapy are that no travel is needed and that treatment takes place where daily movements happen, such as getting out of bed or using the stairs. Exercises can also be chosen to fit the space and furniture at home. The disadvantages are a higher cost per session than at a clinic and less equipment, as treatments such as shockwave therapy and gait analysis (an assessment of how a person walks) are usually only available at a clinic. Despite this, many people still find home physiotherapy worthwhile when travelling to a clinic is difficult.

Physiotherapy exercises at home should be done as your physiotherapist has shown and advised, including the number of repetitions and how much effort to put in. Doing them at a set time each day can make them easier to keep up. Slow, controlled movements make it easier to hold each position as shown. A sturdy chair or wall nearby during balance exercises can reduce the risk of falling. Sharp pain, swelling or dizziness during an exercise is a reason to stop and check with your physiotherapist before continuing.

A doctor's referral is not usually needed for private home physiotherapy, as patients can book a physiotherapist directly. At Apex Sports Clinic, no referral is required for home visits. Contact us to arrange a consultation at our clinic or at home. A referral is generally needed for subsidised physiotherapy at public hospitals and polyclinics, and some insurance policies or employer medical benefits ask for one before they reimburse the cost. If you plan to make a claim, it is worth checking your policy's terms before the first session.

Physiotherapy is often the first-line treatment for leg pain, meaning the first treatment usually tried, and for more serious or complex conditions it is usually one part of a wider treatment plan. Pain from muscle strains, tendon problems, knee osteoarthritis (wear of the cartilage that cushions the joint) or sciatica (pain from an irritated nerve in the lower back) commonly improves with exercises and hands-on treatment. This wider plan may also include rest, pain medication, injections or surgery, depending on the cause. Leg pain caused by narrowed arteries, a blood clot or a fracture needs medical treatment first, and physiotherapy may help with recovery afterwards.

Yes, physical therapy, or physiotherapy, can be done at home through home visits by a physiotherapist. At Apex Sports Clinic, our physiotherapists offer home visits with the same assessment, hands-on treatment and exercises as a session at our clinic. Patients who attend sessions at a clinic are also usually given exercises to continue at home. Doing them between sessions can help maintain the progress made at each visit and rebuild strength and movement. It is best to discuss with a physiotherapist whether home visits or clinic sessions suit you, based on your condition and how easily you can travel.

Private physiotherapy is often worth paying for when quick access, a choice of physiotherapist or treatment at home matters more than cost. Subsidised physiotherapy is available at public hospitals and polyclinics, usually with a doctor's referral, but the wait for an appointment can be longer. Private physiotherapy can generally be booked directly without a referral, and some private clinics also offer home visits. At Apex Sports Clinic, our physiotherapy is $212.55 per 45-minute session at our clinic and $272.50 per 45-minute home visit, with no additional travel charge.

Home physical therapy exercises are commonly done two to seven days a week, depending on the type of exercise and the condition. Gentle stretches and exercises that keep a joint moving are often done daily, and sometimes several times a day after surgery. Strengthening exercises are often done two or three times a week, with a rest day in between so the muscles can recover. If you have been given a home exercise programme, always follow the schedule your physiotherapist sets, and ask them about adjusting it if the exercises increase your pain.