Pain or Injury? Schedule a Virtual Free Assessment!

Did you know that one in two Americans is affected by a bone, joint or muscle condition?¹

Not only can these conditions be painful and debilitating, but they also cost Americans an estimated $213 billion in annual treatment, care and lost wages.¹ Rather than seeking treatment at the first sign of pain or injury, some people decide to tough it out with the hope that it will go away over time. One reason someone may wait to seek treatment is because of the time commitment associated with scheduling an appointment and getting their condition checked out by a healthcare professional. To help with this, Athletico has unveiled a new service called virtual free assessment.

What is a virtual free assessment?

Similar to our free assessments that are performed in-clinic, a virtual free assessment is a one-on-one conversation about your pain or injury with one of our licensed healthcare professionals. The difference, however, is that our virtual free assessments are performed through a secure online video chat. This gives you the flexibility to have your condition assessed by one of our healthcare experts at the time and place that works best for you. So whether you want to use your lunch break or wait until your home from work to have your condition assessed via online chat, it is now even easier than ever to fit our free assessments into your busy schedule.

How does it work?

Virtual free assessments are conducted through secure, online video chat on a device such as a desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet. The assessment typically last 30 minutes, with our healthcare expert discussing your bone, joint or muscle complaint, as well as assessing movement and strength impairments. At the conclusion of the assessment, you will be provided with recommendations for the next steps in your recovery process.

When should I schedule a virtual free assessment?

The goal of a virtual free assessment is to provide you with peace of mind and provide more information about your condition. The flexibility of this service allows you to schedule an appointment at the first sign of pain or injury without interrupting your day-to-day life. Below are a few common circumstances in which a virtual free assessment would be recommended:

• Pain after increased activity – You may experience knee pain after a pick-up game of basketball or back pain after helping your friend move into a new home. Either way, a virtual free assessment can help identify if your soreness is a normal result of increased activity or something that needs to be taken care of before it becomes a bigger problem.
• Everyday tasks become challenging – Whether you are experiencing wrist pain while typing or having trouble using the can opener when cooking, sudden or gradual discomfort during everyday tasks is a warning sign that you should consider getting checked out by a professional.
• A nagging injury won’t go away – Are you a runner who is experiencing knee or ankle pain? If soreness from a sport or exercise lasts longer than one week, it may be time to make an appointment to ensure the injury is healing properly.
• Seasonal pain occurs – Many people are less active during the winter months, and lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle are among the most common causes of back pain. Our healthcare professionals can assess any discomfort and provide you with more information regarding recovery.
• Non-emergency sports injuries – If your student athlete twisted his ankle on the soccer field or hurt her shoulder at cheer practice, a virtual free assessment is a great option to have these injuries checked out by one of our healthcare experts so that your athlete can begin the recovery process and minimize the amount of time spent on the bench.

Pain and injuries aren’t convenient. Virtual free assessments are.

Pain and injuries are never planned, but now taking the first step toward recovery is more convenient than ever. Click the button below to schedule your virtual free assessment today.

Virtual Free Assessment

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.

References:
1. “One in Two Americans Have a Musculoskeletal Condition.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 1 Mar. 2016, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160301114116.htm.