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- Does physical therapy hurt?
In almost all cases - No. "No Pain - No Gain" is not true in most cases. You might develop some more muscle soreness from working muscles that you haven't used or that are weak.
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- Who chooses which physical therapist I go to?
Oftentimes, your physician will give you a recommendation or a listing of physical therapists in your area. Sometimes your insurance company will guide you with regard to who is "in network" for your insurance plan. Ultimately, however, the decision as to where you receive your care is up to you. If you have a specific request, you need to let your physician or insurance company know. If we are not in network for your insurance company most plans have out-of-network benefits that will allow you your choice in physical therapy.
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- How do I arrange an appointment?
If your physician gives you a referral to physical therapy, or if you will see a physical therapist directly, simply call our office for an appointment. Our clinic hours and location are explained on the location and hours page of this website. Our office staff will get all the necessary information from you and assist you with an appointment.
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- What is my responsiblity in physical therapy?
You are our partner in your recovery. Your physical therapist cannot do it without you! We ask that all patients and clients cooperate by following through with their home exercise programs and instructions, as this is extremely important in expediting your recovery.
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- What should I bring with me?
For your first visit you will need your insurance card, and any paperwork that was sent to you that needed to be filled out. If you have any operative reports, MRI or X-ray results, you may bring those as well, but they are not necessary. Additionally, if you are utilizing any type of brace, splint, or crutches, those should come with you.
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- Will my insurance cover physical therapy?
Although most insurance companies do cover physical therapy, what they cover specifically varies greatly. Please review our billing and insurance participation section on this website, and if you have additional questions regarding your specific insurance give us a call.
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- What is the co-pay for physical therapy?
Co-pays are dependent upon your individual insurance. In most cases it is the same amount you pay when you go see your Doctor.
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- What should I expect on my first visit?
On your first visit, your physical therapist will perform an examination/evaluation to determine what deficits and/or problems you have that can be addressed in physical therapy. The examination/evaluation involves a thorough history, a systems review, and tests and measures that allow the physical therapist to get a more specific understanding of your condition. Your physical therapist will make a clinical judgment as to your diagnosis and prognosis. A treatment program will be developed aimed at resolving the problems identified as well as to attain the goals you set in conjunction with the physical therapist.
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- What types of interventions may I receive?
The interventions you receive will depend on what the physical therapist finds in the examination/evaluation. Our intervention programs include coordination among all people involved in your care (other health care professionals, family, friends, caregivers, and others), communication to ensure a good exchange of information, thorough documentation of the care and services provided, and instruction to you and others involved in your care to promote and optimize our services. Most physical therapy plans of care will include three categories of interventions: therapeutic exercise; functional training in self-care and home management; and functional training in work or school, community, and leisure environments. Other interventions might include manual therapy techniques; use of equipment such as supports, orthotics, or prosthetics; airway clearance techniques; skin repair and protection techniques; electrotherapeutic modalities; and mechanical modalities.
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- How long is a typical treatment session?
Plan on an hour for your initial visit and after that an ongoing treatment lasts around 45 minutes.
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- How long is a course of therapy?
It depends upon the diagnosis, the severity of your injury and how dedicated you are to doing your part outside of treatments. Our goal is to not only get rid of your pain but to get you to the point where the likelihood of the pain coming back is significantly reduced.
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- How is my progress measured?
Because your physical therapist will perform a meticulous examination/evaluation, quantifying and qualifying all the deficits and problems you are presenting with, re-examination to determine progress is possible. You will be reexamined based on your diagnosis as well as on the chronicity of the problem. Additionally, the physical therapist always needs to be aware of follow-up visits with your physician, if you were referred by on, as a reexamination may be performed so that the physician can be updated at that time.
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- What if I have an increase in symptoms?
If you have increased symptoms please call your physical therapist. When you call the office, please be sure you explain to the office staff that you are having an increase in symptoms. The office staff will pull your chart and contact your physical therapist or a covering physical therapist. We will be able to review the information and will give you a call back that same day. After we discuss the case with you, we will be able to give you guidelines as to what would be appropriate to reduce your symptoms, whether you need to come in our office, or if you should contact or follow up with your physician if you were referred by one. It is best to call us prior to calling your physician as if a change in symptoms has occurred, it is important that we fax the physician a report so that she can be up-to-date on your care when you see her for a follow-up visit.
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- I have never had physical therapy before, how do I know that my treatment is of good quality?
If you can do more at home or on the job with less pain and you are having a good time in the process, then the treatment is of good quality. If you dread going to your physical therapy appointments, perhaps the overall quality of your experience could be improved on.
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- Will I need follow-up or maintenance care?
The answer depends entirely on the physical therapist's examination/evaluation to determine your diagnosis and prognosis.
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- What if I need to return to physical therapy?
If you have a recurrent problem after your discharge from physical therapy, how/if you will return to physical therapy will depend on a number of factors. It would depend if it was a re-injury of the same specific problem, how long it has been since you were last in physical therapy, how long it's been since you saw the physician (if a physician referred you), and many other factors. In general, if you are discharged from physical therapy and feel the need to return, you should contact the physical therapist who treated you. He or she will review your chart and call back to discuss with you what should be done, depending on the problem you are having.
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- Is it OK to ask my doctor about physical therapy?
Absolutely. If you have a problem that you think can be helped with physical therapy, feel free to give us a call. After discussing with you the specific problem you present with, we can give you a better idea if it is something that is manageable with physical therapy. You can also give your doctor a call. If he or she is not sure, he or she is welcome to contact us as well. In today's healthcare, if you feel physical therapy can be helpful to you, you will need to stress your feelings to the doctor you are seeing.
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- Are Physical Therapists licensed?
Yes, all physical therapists have to be licensed in the state in that they work. Licenses should be prominently displayed.
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- What should I wear to my physical therapy appointments?
In general, wear comfortable clothing to physical therapy. If you are presenting with a problem of your cervical spine, upper back or shoulders, the therapist can provide you with a gown as needed to expose these areas. If you are coming for a lower-extremity problem, shorts are important. You can bring clothing with you if you need to change here.
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