{"id":4850,"date":"2026-09-01T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/telehealth-therapy-helps-veteran-find-healing-with-dignity\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T14:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:30:00","slug":"telehealth-therapy-helps-veteran-find-healing-with-dignity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=4850","title":{"rendered":"Telehealth therapy helps Veteran find healing with dignity"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From the comfort of home: A Veteran\u00e2\u0080\u0099s path to recovery through telehealth<\/h2>\n

When Air Force Veteran Gerry Pennington began recovering from prostate removal surgery earlier this year, he found it difficult to leave home for appointments.<\/p>\n

The 68-year-old Veteran experienced urinary incontinence after surgery and said the thought of traveling to a crowded VA medical center while managing his symptoms seemed too stressful. VA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s TelePhysical Therapy services, which are available in certain locations, gave him a better solution: taking physical therapy appointments from the comfort of his own home.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u0080\u009cIt allowed me to maintain my dignity,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Pennington said.<\/p>\n

Transition to virtual appointments<\/h2>\n

Before surgery, Pennington had already been working in person with VA physical therapist Jaimie Frazier on pelvic floor exercises. After Pennington\u00e2\u0080\u0099s surgery in January 2026, he transitioned to video visits, using VA Video Connect<\/a>, VA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s secure videoconferencing app, to check in with Frazier every two weeks.<\/p>\n

During those appointments, the two talked through Pennington\u00e2\u0080\u0099s progress, discussed symptoms and adjusted exercises as needed.<\/p>\n

A more comfortable way to continue care<\/h2>\n

For Pennington, virtual care was especially helpful during the early part of his recovery, when getting around was more difficult and he felt uneasy about being away from home for long periods of time.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u0080\u009cThe videoconferences allowed me to not have to do that, to not have to go into public places,\u00e2\u0080\u009d he said.<\/p>\n

Pennington said telehealth <\/a>makes it possible to stay connected to care without the added stress of traveling to appointments while managing sensitive symptoms. That comfort matters, especially at a time when everyday outings could feel overwhelming.<\/p>\n

Frazier said telehealth can be an effective option for Veterans receiving pelvic health care because appointments often focus on education, symptom review and home exercise guidance.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u0080\u009cHaving that barrier of the screen is really helpful for a lot of people,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Frazier said, noting that it can make it easier for Veterans to discuss sensitive concerns.<\/p>\n

Talk to your VA care team to see if TelePhysical Therapy is right for and available to you. Find more information about telehealth services available to Veterans<\/a>.\u00e2\u0080\u00af\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Topics in this story<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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telehealth<\/a>TelePhysical Therapy<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA<\/a> or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN<\/abbr>, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form \u00e2\u0080\u0094 it will be deleted for your protection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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