Back pain is one of the most common health issues worldwide, affecting millions of people daily. The challenge isn’t just dealing with the pain but also getting timely treatment. Long wait times and limited access to physical therapists leave many struggling to find relief. But what if AI could step in to help?
In the UK, an AI-powered physiotherapy service called Flok Health is making waves. Approved by the NHS, this digital physio service aims to reduce wait times and provide immediate access to care. With millions on waitlists for musculoskeletal treatments, the demand for such a solution is high. But does it really work?
After injuring my back in October 2024, I went through months of pain before starting in-person therapy. Traditional physiotherapy helped, but I was also curious about AI-driven treatment. That’s when I tried Flok. Instead of in-person guidance, I followed pre-recorded exercise videos from a trained physiotherapist, answering AI-led questions about my pain and progress.
The service was convenient, and the exercises were well-structured. I could also send voice notes to a human physiotherapist for extra guidance. However, the biggest limitation was that AI couldn’t see or correct my movements. In my regular therapy sessions, my physical therapist adjusts my posture and ensures I’m doing exercises safely. With AI, I had to trust that I was doing them correctly.
Flok is a promising step toward making healthcare more accessible. AI may not fully replace human physiotherapists, but it can bridge the gap for those waiting for care. As AI evolves, future systems might include real-time posture tracking and interactive feedback, making digital physio even more effective.
For now, AI physio works best for those with mild conditions who can follow instructions independently. If you need hands-on adjustments, in-person therapy is still the better choice. But with the rapid advancements in AI, the future of digital physiotherapy looks promising.
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