By focusing heavily on form tracking and feedback, many digital MSK companies overlook other factors that play a more important role in recovery.
Let’s look at the average member experience with one of these digital solutions.
→ Fill out intake form
→ 2-day wait
→ 15 minute Intake Specialist meeting
→ Wait for sensors to be delivered
→ Get assigned exercises
→ Figure out setup/app/AI
→ Begin treatment
→ Remote PT gives feedback through app upon request
At first glance, this may seem novel, and for simple cases it can help. But for the complex cases that drive claims costs, there are four major clinical gaps:
These four factors are critical for both patient recovery and controlling claims costs. The faster a patient can connect with a trusted provider, receive a confident diagnosis and plan, and begin treatment, the quicker they recover—and the less likely they are to seek care outside your MSK program.
Our goal is to keep musculoskeletal care fast, simple, relevant and effective. Let’s explore our model in more detail:
→ Create account
→ Same Day appointment with your dedicated Doctor of PT
→ Get a Personalized Diagnosis and Prognosis
→ Begin Personalized Treatment Plan
→ Meet or Message with Your Provider as Often as Needed
Members get same-day appointments with a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy. No waiting for intake specialists or mailed devices. Immediate access ensures that treatment begins when it is most effective. Research shows that early treatment (0-2 days) post work related injury significantly shortens the duration of care, speeding up recovery. We also offer on-call visits available during extended night and weekend hours, which helps to reduce ER visits for severe acute pain.
Tracking form is only useful if the prescribed movement actually addresses the patient’s specific needs. A generic squat or lunge may not reduce pain or improve function if it isn’t the right exercise. Without a thorough evaluation, providers cannot fully understand a patient’s condition or goals, making it nearly impossible to deliver meaningful recommendations.
We’ve made diagnostic accuracy a core capability of our clinical model. First, all of our providers either hold the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification or are on track to earn it within the next year, ensuring advanced diagnostic expertise. Second, our platform includes a built-in diagnostic decision engine that guides providers through evidence-based clinical reasoning, helping them identify root causes and tailor the treatment plan for each patient.
Every patient receives a clear plan that explains why each exercise is prescribed, what outcomes to expect, and a timeline for recovery. This builds trust, increases adherence, and improves outcomes.
Watch this user interview comparing her experience with Aware Health vs. a Digital MSK Solution. Her feedback clearly articulates why this piece matters to patients.
Patients interact with the same provider throughout their care. Real-time guidance and ongoing communication create a relationship built on trust, something that chat or app-based platforms cannot replicate. Our adherence rate is consistently 65% or greater, which is exceptional considering historic adherence rates are closer to 35%.
While the biggest limitation of wearables is that they misplace focus away from what actually drives recovery, there are functional challenges that can make them frustrating to use.
At first, wearing sensors can feel exciting, like trying out the latest gadget. But once the novelty wears off, the reality sets in: straps can be difficult to position, sensors may stop working, batteries die quickly, and waiting on equipment shipments gets old fast. For people already juggling the effort of recovery, this added hassle can be a deal-breaker.
In rehab, nuance is everything. For example, someone recovering from knee surgery might only be cleared to squat halfway, or someone with a neurological condition may move in a way that looks “incorrect” to a sensor but is actually safe and appropriate for them. When trackers rely on rigid definitions of a “successful” movement, they risk discouraging people—or even pushing them toward motions that aren’t safe.
Most consumer-grade sensors just aren’t built to deliver consistent, reliable feedback. That means even if you’re doing an exercise with perfect form, the tracker might still flag it as “wrong.” As the consumer, this feedback can feel discouraging and frustrating rather than motivating.
While wearable tech has carved out a role in physical therapy by offering novel ways to engage and track movement, recovery is not a one-size-fits-all algorithm. Healing isn’t just about doing exercises; it’s about doing the right exercises, for the right reasons, at the right time.