Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I expect during my first treatment?
2. How long will a treatment session usually last?
3. What should I wear?
4. Will you bill my insurance directly?
5. Will I need to pay for each visit at the time of treatment?
6. Do I need a referral from a doctor?
7. What if I don't have insurance?
8. Who will be performing the treatments?
9. Can physical therapy be painful?
10. What would a typical treatment consist of?
11. Will I need to do anything at home?
12. What is a physical therapy assistant?
13. What is a certified athletic trainer?
14. How does using a pool in your facility help me recover?
1. What should I expect during my first treatment? return to the top
- Please arrive about 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. There are some forms and paperwork that typically needs to be completed before the physical therapist can start your evaluation. You can start your paperwork at home to save you time at your appointment by clicking here and printing out some of your paperwork and completing it before you arrive.
- The physical therapist will sit down with you and perform a thorough evaluation of your injury. They will ask you several questions pertaining to your medical history and perform specific functional assessment tests to determine how to best help you.
- After the physical therapist has evaluated your injury they will create a treatment plan customized to your specific situation and discuss some treatment goals with you.
- Treatment is likely to begin at your first treatment.
- Follow up appointments will be set up to continue your treatment plan.
2. How long will a treatment session last? return to the top
- You can expect each treatment session to last approximately 1 hour.
3. What should I wear? return to the top
- You should wear loose fitting clothing that will allow easy access to the part of your body that is being treated. It is very likely that some exercises will be incorporated into your treatment plan.
4. Will you bill my insurance directly? return to the top
- Yes. The "Health Insurance Claim Form" that is filled out on your initial treatment session gives us consent to bill the insurance company directly. return to the top
5. Will I need to pay for each visit at the time of treatment? return to the top
- Yes. If you are responsible for a copay, coinsurance, or deductible you should make that payment at the beginning of each treatment just like you would with a doctor's appointment.
6. Do I need a referral from a doctor? return to the top
- Yes. Physical therapists work under the diagnosis of a medical doctor or chiropractor. You should receive a referral or prescription from your doctor before coming in for treatment.
7. What if I don't have insurance? return to the top
It is not necessary to have insurance to be treated by a physical therapist. We will treat you on a cash basis.
8. Who will be performing the treatments? return to the top
A licensed physical therapist is responsible for the care that you receive. Physical therapy assistants and certified athletic trainers may also be working with you. All of our rehabilitation staff is well qualified to follow the plan outlined at your initial evaluation.
9. Can physical therapy be painful? return to the top
Most patients come to physical therapy in a certain degree of pain already. One of the major objectives is to help relieve that pain. The use of modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and/or heat or cold therapy can help to speed up the healing process and reduce the amount of pain and discomfort that you experience. We will also incorporate manual therapy techniques such as therapeutic massage, muscle tension release, and joint mobilization to help with your overall movement. Some of this movement often provides pain relief. Your physical therapist will also provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance.
In some cases, physical therapy techniques can be painful. Regaining joint mobility and range of motion after an injury will create some discomfort both at the joint and in the muscles that affect that joint such as after a joint replacement. You should feel comfortable enough with your therapist to communicate your pain level. With this information we may be able to modify the treatment plan to accomodate your discomfort.
10. What would a typical treatment consist of? return to the top
Each treatment is individualized based on your specific needs that day. Typically you can expect to receive hands on manually therapy and a variety of exercises targeted to your injury. We may also include modalities to help speed up your recovery such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and ice.
11. Will I need to do anything at home? return to the top
Yes. Our goal is for you to become independent with the exercise program that we plan with you. We will be giving you assignments along the way that you will need to do at home to help speed your recover.
12. What is a physical therapy assistant? return to the top
The physical therapy assistant helps provide physical therapy services under the supervision of a physical therapist. These services are specified in the plan of care developed by the physical therapist and may include preparing the patient, treatment area, and/or equipment, implementing the treatment program and modifying the treatment program as outlined in the plan of care. PTAs must complete a 2-year associate's degree and are licensed, certified, or registered in most states. Click here for more information.
13. What is a certified athletic trainer? return to the top
Certified athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. As part of a complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletics administrators, coaches and parents. To become certified athletic trainers, students must complete a Bachelor's degree program and pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification. Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified. Click here for more information.
14. How does using a pool in your facility help me recover? return to the top
The buoyancy effect of water allows for a patient to exercise without having to support their entire body weight. This is especially effective for those who may still be using the assistance of crutches, a cane, or even a wheelchair. Patients may also improve their range of motion, strength, balance, and flexibility. We utilize many different forms of aquatic exercise equipment to help you with your exercise plan.
2. How long will a treatment session usually last?
3. What should I wear?
4. Will you bill my insurance directly?
5. Will I need to pay for each visit at the time of treatment?
6. Do I need a referral from a doctor?
7. What if I don't have insurance?
8. Who will be performing the treatments?
9. Can physical therapy be painful?
10. What would a typical treatment consist of?
11. Will I need to do anything at home?
12. What is a physical therapy assistant?
13. What is a certified athletic trainer?
14. How does using a pool in your facility help me recover?
1. What should I expect during my first treatment? return to the top
- Please arrive about 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. There are some forms and paperwork that typically needs to be completed before the physical therapist can start your evaluation. You can start your paperwork at home to save you time at your appointment by clicking here and printing out some of your paperwork and completing it before you arrive.
- The physical therapist will sit down with you and perform a thorough evaluation of your injury. They will ask you several questions pertaining to your medical history and perform specific functional assessment tests to determine how to best help you.
- After the physical therapist has evaluated your injury they will create a treatment plan customized to your specific situation and discuss some treatment goals with you.
- Treatment is likely to begin at your first treatment.
- Follow up appointments will be set up to continue your treatment plan.
2. How long will a treatment session last? return to the top
- You can expect each treatment session to last approximately 1 hour.
3. What should I wear? return to the top
- You should wear loose fitting clothing that will allow easy access to the part of your body that is being treated. It is very likely that some exercises will be incorporated into your treatment plan.
4. Will you bill my insurance directly? return to the top
- Yes. The "Health Insurance Claim Form" that is filled out on your initial treatment session gives us consent to bill the insurance company directly. return to the top
5. Will I need to pay for each visit at the time of treatment? return to the top
- Yes. If you are responsible for a copay, coinsurance, or deductible you should make that payment at the beginning of each treatment just like you would with a doctor's appointment.
6. Do I need a referral from a doctor? return to the top
- Yes. Physical therapists work under the diagnosis of a medical doctor or chiropractor. You should receive a referral or prescription from your doctor before coming in for treatment.
7. What if I don't have insurance? return to the top
It is not necessary to have insurance to be treated by a physical therapist. We will treat you on a cash basis.
8. Who will be performing the treatments? return to the top
A licensed physical therapist is responsible for the care that you receive. Physical therapy assistants and certified athletic trainers may also be working with you. All of our rehabilitation staff is well qualified to follow the plan outlined at your initial evaluation.
9. Can physical therapy be painful? return to the top
Most patients come to physical therapy in a certain degree of pain already. One of the major objectives is to help relieve that pain. The use of modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and/or heat or cold therapy can help to speed up the healing process and reduce the amount of pain and discomfort that you experience. We will also incorporate manual therapy techniques such as therapeutic massage, muscle tension release, and joint mobilization to help with your overall movement. Some of this movement often provides pain relief. Your physical therapist will also provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance.
In some cases, physical therapy techniques can be painful. Regaining joint mobility and range of motion after an injury will create some discomfort both at the joint and in the muscles that affect that joint such as after a joint replacement. You should feel comfortable enough with your therapist to communicate your pain level. With this information we may be able to modify the treatment plan to accomodate your discomfort.
10. What would a typical treatment consist of? return to the top
Each treatment is individualized based on your specific needs that day. Typically you can expect to receive hands on manually therapy and a variety of exercises targeted to your injury. We may also include modalities to help speed up your recovery such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and ice.
11. Will I need to do anything at home? return to the top
Yes. Our goal is for you to become independent with the exercise program that we plan with you. We will be giving you assignments along the way that you will need to do at home to help speed your recover.
12. What is a physical therapy assistant? return to the top
The physical therapy assistant helps provide physical therapy services under the supervision of a physical therapist. These services are specified in the plan of care developed by the physical therapist and may include preparing the patient, treatment area, and/or equipment, implementing the treatment program and modifying the treatment program as outlined in the plan of care. PTAs must complete a 2-year associate's degree and are licensed, certified, or registered in most states. Click here for more information.
13. What is a certified athletic trainer? return to the top
Certified athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. As part of a complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletics administrators, coaches and parents. To become certified athletic trainers, students must complete a Bachelor's degree program and pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification. Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified. Click here for more information.
14. How does using a pool in your facility help me recover? return to the top
The buoyancy effect of water allows for a patient to exercise without having to support their entire body weight. This is especially effective for those who may still be using the assistance of crutches, a cane, or even a wheelchair. Patients may also improve their range of motion, strength, balance, and flexibility. We utilize many different forms of aquatic exercise equipment to help you with your exercise plan.
