Patient Frequently Asked Questions

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 judgement 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.

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; electrotherapeutic modalities; and mechanical modalities.

Treatment time will vary according to what the physical therapist finds during the evaluation. There is no specific time limit for physical therapy. Whatever is found to be appropriate during the examination/evaluation will become part of the patient's or or client's program and the program will be updated as appropriate. Generally speaking, a typical visit will last approximately 1 hour.

Because your physical therapist will perform a meticulous examination/evaluation, quantifying and qualifying all the deficits and problems you are presenting with, examination/evaluation to determine progress are possible. You will be re-examined based on your diagnosis as well as the chronicity of the problem. Additionally, the physical therapist always needs to be aware of follow-up visits with your physician as a re-examination may be performed so that the physician can be updated at that time.

The answer depends entirely on the physical therapist's examination/evaluation to determine your diagnosis and prognosis. Most patients are given instructions on a home exercise program upon discharge from 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.

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.

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. Our billing manager will be glad to verify and explain your coverage to you.

If your physician gives you a referral to physical therapy, 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.

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.

For your first visit you will need your insurance card, prescription from your doctor, 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.

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.

It is best to call us prior to calling your physician if a change in symptoms has occurred, it is important that we fax the physician a report so that he/she can be up to date on your care when you see him/her for a follow-up visit.

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.

In physical therapy, the goals should be to resolve your problem, not just temporarily relieve it. Although medication and other forms of treatment can be helpful in relieving symptoms, physical therapy produces a long term result. The physician may opt to utilize medication in conjunction with physical therapy depending on your diagnosis. Unlike some other forms of treatment, our goal is to help you return to your normal activities through exercise, education and self management.

We ask that our patients and clients:

• If you have to reschedule an appointment, please call with as much advance notice as possible.
• If you will be late, please call to let us know.
• Missed appointments should be rescheduled so as to maintain consistency in your treatment.
• Before returning to your physician, please make your therapist aware, so that they can write a progress report for you to take with you.
• Ample parking is available along with handicap access.
• Payment due upon each visit.
• Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7AM to 7PM, Friday's from 7AM to 3:30 PM.

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. It is also important to keep your scheduled appointments.

Because of our expertise. We are widely regarded as a leading expert in physical therapy. Physicians regularly send their own office staff and family members to our facility. We are dedicated to resolving your problems in an environment that is welcoming and relaxed. Patients receive personalized care, not an assembly line atmosphere. If you are still not sure, feel free to give us a call or stop in to speak to one of our therapists. You can also look at our "Quotes" section on this website to see what some previous patients have said about us.