Phone Consultations for Pain

Social media and how it is used will shape the experiences and beliefs of consumers.  The online world... what a world.  I saw a tweet from an individual who has 1,190 followers.  Phone Consultation Testimonial for Mike T Nelson: Low Back and Hip Pain

How would something like this work?  How about this as a potential example of what a one-sided conversation?

"Hello... Ya, I've had hip and back pain for 6 months."

"Aw, I'm generally healthy.  No, I haven't had any surgeries and I haven't been recently sick.  I'm just tired of having this pain."

"The pain is generally in my low back and my right hip.  It just kind of started happening.  I don't remember doing anything  to make it hurt."

"I figured for $90 and 100% guarantee I better give you a call."

What is it that entices people to choose a Z-Health certified person for a pain experience?

Wouldn't it seem reasonable to want to actually have a visual of the person in pain at the other end of the line?  What if the person was talking on the phone as in the photograph, would that matter?

Can pain be tackled via telehealth?  Is it reasonable to expect elimination of pain with the performance of various body movements (without any verbal or tactile cuing), eye movements, breathing exercises and nutritional recommendations?  What level of evidence is readily available to support telehealth for pain and for the Z-Health philosophy and recommendations provided?

Is it reasonable to have 100% elimination of pain?  Can pain elimination be guaranteed?

If physical therapists wanted to become more visible in the online world, would something like phone consultations be a reasonable option?  What about licensing?  Being licensed is a good thing, right?  Licensing, at bare minimum, defines knowledge requirements and hopefully is in place to protect the general public.  Is our profession restricted by state boards?  Meaning - if we do want to enter the online world with what we have to offer, are we only restricted to the states in which we are licensed?

I know I threw out tons of questions.  Does this strike a cord with anyone?  What are your thoughts?

photo by ernop via Flickr

~Selena