Wellness & Prevention
Fitness & Physical Health — Medical Guidance to Keep You Moving
Back pain, joint pain, or uncertainty about exercising safely with a health condition? A licensed healthcare provider can help you understand what is going on, recommend appropriate care, and connect you to physical therapy or specialist support when needed.
Start a VisitJump to section
About fitness & physical health
🏃 Physical activity is an important part of health — and providers can help you approach it safely
Regular physical activity is strongly associated with better health and function across the lifespan. Federal guidelines generally recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, or an equivalent amount of vigorous activity, plus muscle strengthening on at least two days. People who cannot meet those targets can still benefit from being as active as their health and abilities allow. Some activity is better than none, and the right approach depends on individual health, abilities, and circumstances.
A licensed healthcare provider can discuss how physical activity fits into your overall health picture, evaluate selected musculoskeletal concerns, recommend appropriate non-controlled treatment when indicated, and connect you to physical therapy, orthopedics, or in-person care when that is the right next step.
What this service provides
A licensed healthcare provider can discuss physical activity in the context of your medical conditions, assess selected mild or uncomplicated musculoskeletal concerns, recommend non-controlled treatment when appropriate, and identify when physical therapy, sports medicine, orthopedics, imaging, or emergency care is needed. This service does not provide personal training, individualized workout programming, hands-on rehabilitation, athletic-performance clearance, or controlled-substance prescribing.
🚨 Call 911 for
New chest pressure or pain during or after activity; chest tightness spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw; severe breathing difficulty; fainting; stroke symptoms (sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, speech or vision changes); sustained rapid or irregular heartbeat with dizziness; severe confusion; or another sudden life-threatening symptom during or after activity. Seek prompt same-day in-person evaluation for inability to bear weight, marked swelling, visible deformity, or severe pain after an injury.
Clinical scope
💪 What a licensed provider can help with
These are the kinds of questions that sit at the intersection of physical health and medical care — where a licensed healthcare provider adds the most value.
- →Exercise guidance for chronic conditions — discussing how conditions like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or obesity affect safe activity. Most people with stable chronic conditions benefit from physical activity, but new symptoms, unstable disease, recent cardiovascular events, or major treatment changes may require in-person evaluation or a supervised rehabilitation plan before increasing exercise.
- →Evaluation of mild or uncomplicated musculoskeletal pain — back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and muscle strains that are mild, previously evaluated, or uncomplicated. New severe pain, significant trauma, neurologic symptoms, fever, or marked swelling generally requires in-person assessment.
- →Non-controlled pain treatment when appropriate — options may include topical or selected oral medication, heat or cold, temporary activity modification, and gentle movement. A licensed healthcare provider will determine what is appropriate based on your medical history. MyPhysician360 does not prescribe controlled substances for pain management.
- →Return to activity after illness — general guidance on resuming activity after common illness. New chest pain, unusual shortness of breath, fainting, palpitations, persistent fever, or a major decline in exercise tolerance after an illness warrants medical assessment before returning to strenuous activity, especially after significant respiratory or cardiac illness.
- →Referral to physical therapy, orthopedics, or sports medicine — when in-person evaluation, structured rehabilitation, or specialist care is the right next step, your provider can identify that and recommend appropriate follow-up.
When physical therapy is the right fit
Structured exercise rehabilitation, sport-specific return-to-activity testing, and hands-on treatment belong with a physical therapist or sports medicine specialist. A provider can identify when that level of care is appropriate and may issue a referral or recommendation. Insurance coverage, direct-access rules, scheduling, and whether a referral is required vary by state, plan, and receiving practice.
Not sure if a telehealth visit is the right starting point for your situation?
Start a VisitPain and musculoskeletal concerns
🦴 Back pain, joint pain, and muscle pain
Telehealth can be a useful starting point for selected mild, uncomplicated, or previously evaluated musculoskeletal symptoms. The information below outlines what providers can and cannot assess remotely, and which symptoms require prompt in-person care.
Low back pain
Many uncomplicated episodes improve over time. Remaining gently active as tolerated is generally preferable to prolonged bed rest, while temporarily avoiding movements that clearly worsen symptoms. A provider can screen for warning signs and discuss initial non-controlled treatment options, but a hands-on examination may be needed when symptoms are severe, follow significant trauma, include weakness or numbness, or do not improve. New bladder or bowel dysfunction, numbness around the groin or inner thighs, or rapidly progressive leg weakness requires emergency evaluation.
Joint pain
A hot, red, rapidly swollen joint, particularly with fever or illness, requires urgent in-person assessment — it may indicate infection, gout, or another inflammatory condition. For mild or chronic joint discomfort without those features, a telehealth visit can help identify likely causes and whether further evaluation is needed. Telehealth does not replace a hands-on joint, neurologic, strength, or stability examination.
Muscle pain and soreness
Typical delayed-onset muscle soreness often begins several hours after unfamiliar activity, peaks over one to three days, and gradually improves. Sudden sharp pain, major swelling, marked weakness, or inability to use the affected area is not typical soreness. Severe muscle pain or weakness with dark or cola-colored urine requires urgent same-day medical evaluation because it may indicate significant muscle breakdown — seek emergency care for confusion, fainting, inability to urinate, or severe illness alongside these symptoms. New one-sided calf swelling, warmth, or tenderness may indicate a blood clot and requires prompt medical assessment. Call 911 if it occurs with chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath.
⚠️ Symptoms that require prompt in-person evaluation
Back pain with fever, significant trauma, injection-drug use, immune suppression, osteoporosis, long-term corticosteroid use, or pain that is severe at night or progressively worsening should be evaluated in person. New, persistent, or progressively worsening back pain in someone with a current or previous cancer diagnosis warrants timely in-person evaluation, especially when accompanied by unexplained weight loss, night pain, weakness, or other neurologic symptoms. Injuries in children, frail older adults, or people with osteoporosis, impaired circulation, bleeding risk, or significant medical conditions may require a lower threshold for in-person assessment.
Non-controlled treatment options
Treatment depends on the likely cause and your medical history. Options may include heat or cold, temporary activity modification, gentle movement, physical therapy, topical treatment (topical NSAIDs may be considered for selected localized injuries and generally produce less systemic exposure than oral NSAIDs, though they can still cause skin reactions and some systemic absorption — do not apply to broken skin or combine with an oral NSAID without clinical guidance), or selected oral medication. Oral NSAIDs can affect the stomach, kidneys, blood pressure, heart, and pregnancy and may interact with other medications — tell your provider about all health conditions and current medications. Do not combine ibuprofen, naproxen, or another NSAID unless a healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so. Tell your provider if you are pregnant or may be pregnant; NSAIDs require particular caution during pregnancy and are generally avoided around 20 weeks or later unless specifically directed. Acetaminophen may be considered for selected patients, but excessive dosing can cause severe liver injury. Some muscle relaxants cause significant drowsiness and impair driving, coordination, and judgment — do not combine them with alcohol, sleep medication, opioids, or other sedating substances unless a licensed healthcare provider confirms it is safe. MyPhysician360 does not prescribe controlled substances. A licensed healthcare provider will determine whether any medication is appropriate based on your individual situation.
Frequently asked questions
❓ Your questions answered
Can a telehealth provider help with back pain?
For many mild or uncomplicated presentations, yes. A licensed healthcare provider can screen for warning signs, discuss non-controlled treatment options, and recommend whether in-person evaluation, imaging, or physical therapy is the right next step. Video observation may allow some assessment of posture and movement, but telehealth does not replace a hands-on neurologic, orthopedic, or vascular examination. When those are needed, your provider will let you know.
Do you prescribe pain medication?
MyPhysician360 does not prescribe controlled substances for pain management. When clinically appropriate, a provider may prescribe selected non-controlled medications after reviewing your health history, current medications, and other relevant factors. Medication availability and what is appropriate for your situation will be determined during the visit.
Can a provider advise on safe exercise with a chronic condition?
A licensed healthcare provider can discuss how your health conditions, medications, and recent history relate to physical activity and provide general clinical guidance. This is different from a personalized workout program or rehabilitation plan, which belong with a physical therapist or qualified fitness professional. For people with unstable or recently changed health conditions, in-person evaluation may be needed before increasing activity.
Can I get a physical therapy referral?
When physical therapy is appropriate and a referral is clinically indicated, a provider may issue one or recommend that you contact a local physical therapist. Insurance coverage, direct-access rules, scheduling, and whether a referral is required vary by state, plan, and receiving practice.
Is this visit HSA or FSA eligible?
Visits may be eligible for HSA or FSA payment. Check with your plan administrator regarding eligibility and required documentation.
When treatment is appropriate
💊 What may follow a visit
A fitness and physical health visit may result in non-controlled medication when clinically appropriate, a physical therapy or specialist referral, general activity guidance, or a recommendation for in-person follow-up. When prescription treatment is appropriate, it may be sent electronically to the pharmacy you select. Medication availability, cost, insurance requirements, and dispensing time vary.
- ✓Non-controlled medication may be prescribed when clinically appropriate
- ✓Physical therapy and specialist referrals available when indicated
- ✓No required memberships to access our services
- ✓No controlled substances prescribed through this service
- ✓Same-day appointments may be available during operating hours
Pain shouldn't stop you. Neither should uncertainty.
A licensed healthcare provider can help you understand what is going on, recommend appropriate care, and point you to the right next step — whether that is treatment, physical therapy, or in-person evaluation.
May be HSA/FSA eligible — check with your plan administrator | No required membership
Medical disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Musculoskeletal pain and physical activity guidance require individualized evaluation by a licensed healthcare provider. Telehealth does not replace in-person physical examination, imaging, or specialist assessment. MyPhysician360 does not prescribe controlled substances. Call 911 for chest pain during activity, stroke symptoms, or other life-threatening emergencies. Seek same-day in-person care for significant injury, inability to bear weight, or symptoms that may indicate a serious condition. After surgery, follow the instructions of your operating clinician. A licensed MyPhysician360 provider will review your complete health history before making any recommendations or prescribing any medication. MyPhysician360 services are available in most states. Services are not currently available in Mississippi or Alaska.