Physical Therapy News, Treatments and Services – April 27, 2025

Wisp, a large online women’s health service, has announced a partnership with Origin, a national provider of women’s health and pelvic floor physical therapy. The collaboration will bring Origin’s services to Wisp’s 1.4 million patients through exclusive discounts, including therapies for postpartum healing, pre-pregnancy strengthening, and vaginal infections like UTIs. Additionally, the Soaring Eagles Healthcare Clinic at Husson University in Bangor is now offering free physical and occupational therapy for uninsured and underinsured patients, expanding its services with a new hand therapy program.

A recent study predicts the global medical rehabilitation services market will grow to USD 463.79 billion by 2033, driven by an aging population, rise in digital therapies, and boosted demand from developing countries. Organizations are increasingly investing in artificial intelligence and big data analytics for personalized treatment plans, while integrating telemedicine and remote rehabilitation tools.

The North American market, which dominates the sector, is fueled by increasing disposable income, healthcare spending, and strong government health cover. However, the Asia Pacific market – particularly India and China – could see the fastest growth due to investment in telehealth and robotic-assisted therapy, the rising incidence of age-related diseases, and the vast potential of their large populations.

By therapy, physical therapy led the medical rehabilitation services market in 2024 due to the high demand from patients recovering from injuries, health issues, or surgery. By setting, outpatient care dominated as it is cheaper than inpatient care and allows patients to recover in their own homes. However, the homecare segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during 2025-2034, driven by the preference for personal and convenient services and advancements in technology that enable home-based treatments.

In conclusion, the future of physical therapy and rehabilitation services looks promising, with a surge in digital health therapies, an increase in strategic partnerships and collaborations, and substantial market growth predictions. This is largely driven by the need to cater to a global aging population, an increase in chronic diseases, and the growing demand from developing countries.

Digital musculoskeletal care platform, Hinge Health, is partnering with Amazon Health Services to offer MSK care services. The partnership will enable individuals to check their coverage eligibility and access MSK care through the Hinge Health platform via Amazon Health’s website. Hinge Health offers its FDA-cleared Enso wearable device for electrical nerve stimulation to aid pain relief. The San Francisco-based company, valued at $6.2 billion, has previously secured substantial funding and is potentially preparing to go public in 2025.

A new report by the nonprofit Peterson Health Technology Institute suggests that digital physical therapy services guided by a licensed physical therapist significantly improve patient health outcomes. The report, which reviewed more than 2,000 pieces of literature, revealed that virtual MSK solutions provide patients with clinical benefits akin to in-person physical therapy, providing an alternative to costly procedures for conditions that can be managed conservatively. It projected that digital care for a quarter of physical therapy users with low back pain could save an estimated $4.4 million per 1 million commercially insured individuals.

The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs have updated the Clinical Practice Guideline for Rehabilitation of Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation (LLA) to improve the quality of care for service members and veterans. The update, which is based on data from over 1,700 deployment-related amputations since 2001, includes new recommendations on surgical procedures, behavioral health, and pain management, in addition to emphasizing the need for peer support. The move exemplifies a step towards comprehensive guidance in limb loss treatment, reflecting the learning curve and clinical advancements over the last five years.

The owner of Oahu Spine and Rehab, Stephen Timothy Wells, has pleaded guilty in a healthcare fraud scheme. Wells confessed to submitting false billings by claiming doctors, nurses and physical therapists carried out services when, in fact, they were performed by unlicensed personnel. The fraudulent actions, which took place from 2013 to early 2020, targeted TRICARE and Medicare. As part of a plea deal, Wells admitted his actions resulted in losses between $250,000 and $550,000 and agreed to pay over $392,000 in restitution. Prosecutors recommend a jail term of up to two years. The sentencing is due on Jan. 29, 2025.

On a brighter note, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute in the top 5% of rehabilitation hospitals nationally, recognising its high-level care for patients with complex conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. The institute, established in 1953, is currently one of 18 federally designated Spinal Cord Injury Model System Centers in the nation. It has expanded outpatient services into the community, offering adult physical therapy services at the MetroHealth Broadway Health Center and soon at the Bedford Medical Offices. The institute was also recognised by Newsweek as one of the nation’s best rehabilitation hospitals, and the Department of PM&R at Case Western Reserve University, based at the institute, has consistently ranked high for its research efforts funded by the National Institutes of Health. The MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute is also accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities till March 2027.