Common Questions
WHAT IS PHYSICAL THERAPY?
Physical therapy is dedicated to treating, healing, and preventing injuries and disabilities. Therapists work individually with patients to help:
* Reduce pain
* Restore strength and function
* Regain motion
* Improve safety
* Prevent reinjury
* Restore preoperative function
* Adapt to disability to achieve the highest functional level
* Educate patient and family as to self-care and prevention of further problems
What kinds of treatment will I be getting?
On your first visit, the therapist evaluates you and learns about your problems and medical history. Tests and measurements will indicate appropriate treatment, which may include the following:
Heat in the form of moist heat packs, ultrasound, and paraffin assists in muscle relaxation, relieving pain, promoting circulation, and preparing muscles and joints for movement.
Electrical Stimulation: Physical therapists use many types of electrical stimulation to help block pain, improve circulation, reduce muscle spasms, decrease swelling and increase muscle function. Electrical stimulation is safe, controlled, and comfortable.
Cold: Ice packs, ice massage, and other compression packs all help to reduce inflammation, relieve swelling, and block pain.
Therapeutic Exercise: Therapeutic exercise is a cornerstone of physical therapy. Different kinds of exercises may be prescribed depending on what you need.
* Stretching
* Strengthening
* Relaxation
* Functional
* Balancing
* Coordination
* Postural
Exercise may include home exercises, exercises done with the therapist (manual exercises), and use of specific exercise equipment.
Functional activities: We'll help you work on the activities you need to do at home and work, to improve your safety, control your pain, and allow you to enjoy or return to your normal level of function.
Neuromusuclar re-education: We'll help you work on your posture, learn to use the right muscles the right way, train your balance and coordination for day to day tasks or more specialized sporting requirements.
Massage and Mobilization: Various types of soft tissue massage and joint mobilization help reduce muscle tension, relieve pain, and promote circulation and healing. These also help prepare the joints and muscles for exercise.
Patient education: You will be provided exercises and activities to be done at home or on the job to help control pain and prevent reinjury. We also teach body mechanics and ways to modify your home or work environment to reduce stress on your joints and muscles.
Other Treatments: Physical therapists may help you use whirlpool or traction, secure appropriate equipment (such as braces, orthotics, walking or exercise equipment), or teach you how to tape a joint or muscle.
Will physical therapy be painful?
The old adage "no pain, no gain" does not always apply in physical therapy. Generally, physical therapy will not be painful. In fact, our goal is to help relieve your pain. There are some instances where you many notice an increase in soreness or pain. For example, if you are working to increase muscle strength, muscle soreness may be experienced. This is typical, and usually recedes after 48 hours. If you have had a joint contracture (such as a frozen joint) it may be necessary to stretch into pain.
In certain conditions, such as overuse injuries (tendinitis, bursitis, etc.) it is especially important that you avoid increasing pain with activity. The therapist will help guide you as to "how much is too much?" If you have experienced pain after therapy, please be sure to let the therapist know.
How long will each appointment take?
The average visit takes about 45 minutes to one hour and is dependent on the kind of therapy you are receiving. Usually as you build on your exercise program it takes a little longer to complete each visit. If you have time limitations, please let us know.
How many treatments are necessary?
Number of treatments are determined by your specific problem and needs, your therapist's and physician's recommendation, your insurance requirements, and your response to treatment. For example, if you are making good progress, it may not be necessary to treat you for all of the prescribed visits. Or, if you are experiencing a difficult recovery, it may take a few more visits than your doctor ordered. In this case, we will contact your physician and discuss it with her or him.
Usually, for acute conditions, patients are seen from one to four weeks. In chronic conditions, or more complex cases, therapy may require more than a few weeks.
Do I need to wear any special clothing?
You may want to wear your shorts and sport type shoes for exercising in our gym. If we are treating your knee or ankle we prefer that you wear shorts. We supply shorts if you do not have them. If we are treating your shoulder, we prefer you have a sleeveless top for shoulder exposure. If you need to be in a patient gown, we will provide this, along with a private room.
Who will be treating me?
A primary physical therapist is assigned who will evaluate you and direct your care. However, another therapist may work with you if you request a particular treatment time and your therapist is not available.
What about scheduling appointments?
It is best to schedule appointments well in advance to insure treatment days and times that you prefer. You can schedule your appointments by phone or at our office. We are open from 7:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.. We also have an answering machine for hours when we are not in. If you need to cancel your appointment, please try to give us 24 hours notice so that we may provide the time for another patient who needs it.
What about my insurance coverage?
If you provide us with all billing information, we will be happy to bill your insurance company. Our office staff will complete a form entitled "Office Billing Policy" that lists information about your insurance company and their expected physical therapy coverage for you. We strongly encourage you to contact your insurance company directly to have them answer or explain any questions regarding your policy. Your insurance company may require pre-authorization--be sure that authorization has been sent before your first appointment. Our billing company, The Provider Connection, can be reached at 888.952.4872
Other questions?
Please feel free to ask our staff any questions you may have regarding your treatment or office procedures, and to share any concerns you may have. We're here to help guide your recovery, and promote continued health and wellness after your therapy sessions are over!
