A Physiotherapist’s Honest Review of Giraffe Health: Is This Digital Health Platform Right for You?

The world of healthcare is evolving fast. One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen is the rise of digital healthcare platforms that let patients connect with clinicians remotely.

Whether you're a physiotherapist, healthcare professional, or someone exploring health technology for personal care, this review shares a first-hand experience using Giraffe Health in a real clinical setting.

I’m Gavin, a practising physio and health writer. I’ve used Giraffe Health to support stroke rehab patients in the community. Here’s what I learned after a year using the platform.

What Is Giraffe Health?

Giraffe Health is a digital health platform designed for physiotherapists and podiatrists. It gives healthcare professionals access to a library of:

• High-quality video exercises

• Printable programmes

• Audio and text descriptions

• Personalised patient diaries

• Advice pages

These can be prescribed to patients online, creating a flexible, remote care solution.

Why Was Giraffe Health Created?

Giraffe was co-founded by Lorna Paul, a physiotherapist with 25 years of experience. The platform began with a focus on people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) who struggled to access in-person services due to transport, disability, language, or geography.

As demands on modern healthcare grew, so did Giraffe’s purpose. It now supports people with a range of conditions, including:

• Stroke

• Spinal cord injury

• Lung disease

• Arthritis

• Diabetes

Key Features of the Giraffe's Digital Health Platform

Video Exercise Library

Giraffe’s core feature is its exercise video library, which uses real models of various ages and abilities. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes the platform more relatable for patients.

✅ Pros:

• Clear instructions

• High production value

• Easy for patients to follow

⚠️ Cons:

• The library lacks depth for specialist needs

• Search terms don’t always match physio terminology

  
  

Patient Diary

The patient diary allows individuals to log their daily exercises and track progress. It’s designed to promote self-management and adherence.

✅ Useful for motivated or tech-savvy patients

⚠️ Less effective for those with cognitive challenges or limited digital access

Clinician Advice Box

Clinicians can add tailored advice to each patient’s programme. This section is helpful for:

• Safety instructions

• Dosage notes

• Extra care considerations

Messaging Feature

The built-in messaging system allows patients and clinicians to stay in touch. However, it created extra admin for our team and lacked notification prompts.

✅ Loved by some patients who enjoy frequent contact

⚠️ Often underused or ignored by clinicians

Real-World Use in Community Stroke Rehab

In my role as a neurological physiotherapist, I trialled Giraffe Health in community stroke rehab. The verdict?

• Strengths: easy to navigate, responsive support, relatable content

• Limitations: insufficient for complex rehab needs, limited customisation options, tricky search function

One recurring issue was the lack of ability to adjust text instructions or voiceover. For patients needing tailored cueing, this was a major drawback.

My Honest Verdict on Giraffe Health

Giraffe Health is a well-intentioned and growing digital health platform that could support many clinicians and services. But it may not yet meet the needs of more complex or neuro-rehab caseloads.

Final Thoughts

While the contract with my team wasn’t renewed, I can see how Giraffe Health could serve well in musculoskeletal care or for services seeking a light-touch digital solution.

As a clinician, I appreciate the team’s mission and effort. The platform is improving and listening to feedback. It’s a good example of health technology evolving with the needs of both patients and practitioners.

For physios exploring the best digital health platforms, Giraffe is worth considering if your patients need basic, remote-friendly programmes.

Here's my top five pros and cons for the Giraffe Healthcare platform:

Top 5 Pros

1. High-quality videos – clear and easy to follow

2. Simple user interface – great for both patients and clinicians

3. Real models used – helps patients feel represented

4. Strong developer support – responsive and open to feedback

5. Real-life settings – videos recorded in homely environments

Top 5 Cons

1. Limited library – not ideal for complex or neurological conditions

2. Lack of customisation – can’t edit exercise text or voiceover

3. Search challenges – finding the right exercises was time-consuming

4. Extra communication channel – adds admin without alert system

5. Platform name – some patients mistook “Giraffe” emails for spam

For more Health & Wellness content head to:

Linkedin

Instagram

Gavin