Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Going to your first physical therapy appointment can feel a little bit overwhelming. We are happy to offer these FAQs to help guide you along. As always, you are warmly welcome to call into any one of our clinics to get further explanations on what to expect before you arrive, during your appointment, and follow up steps afterward.

Wear comfortable athletic clothing. Keep in mind that your therapist will likely need to access the area that you are being treated for, so adjust your clothing accordingly. For example, if you are being seen for your shoulder, consider a tank top or sleeveless shirt. If you are coming in for your knee, consider wearing shorts. You may want to dress in layers for comfort.

Initial evaluation appointments can take about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. It is best to arrive 15-20 minutes early to your first appointment to ensure that you have enough time to fill out your intake paperwork. Your follow up treatments will typically be one hour long.

On your first visit, you will be greeted by one of our friendly and helpful Front Desk Coordinators. A licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy will then perform an subjective and objective examination and pinpoint your physical impairments and functional limitations as well as establish a individualized plan of care and home exercise program. Some treatment may also be formed on the 1st day.

Insurance information can be confusing and intimidating. Our experienced Front Desk and Patient Care Coordinators will help you every step of the way. Relax and let us do the hard work. A referral is required for most insurances, although some insurance may only require a referral after 12 visits or 45 days including direct access insurance, self-pay and liens. If you would like more details on your plan, please contact one of our locations where our Coordinators will be able to assist you with all of your insurance questions! 

We are committed to providing you with the best care possible to achieve your goals for therapy. Our best knowledge of clinical care and research indicates that 2-or often 3-weekly treatments are needed for optimum and efficient treatment for most conditions. However, we also know your time is valuable. We will work with your schedule and ensure you can come to PT at times that are convenient for you. For short periods, 1 session per week can work, but we may ask you to perform more home exercises to help with recovery.

Yes! Your physical therapist will assign you a personalized Home Exercise Program or HEP for short. This is a group of exercises they deem most important for you to complete multiple times per week to ensure your progress towards recovery. These exercises will be especially important to complete if for any reason you cannot attend your normal appointments or if you can only attend physical therapy 1 or 2 times a week.  

Physical therapists are trained movement specialists, skilled at assessing and diagnosing various conditions, identifying impairments and creating a personalized plan of care focused on improving quality of life through optimizing functional movement. They use a variety of techniques including manual therapy, exercise, gait and balance training, modalities, patient education and many others to help patients reach their physical therapy goals.

Physical therapists work with patients of all ages with a wide array of diagnoses such as musculoskeletal and sports injuries, disabilities, neurological conditions, cardiopulmonary conditions, pelvic floor, pain management, injury prevention, pediatrics, geriatrics and many more.

Set up a discovery visit and speak to our licensed physical therapist to determine if performance plus physical therapy would be a good fit for you. Following discovery visit, discuss with front desk coordinator out of pocket options.

During the evaluation process, the physical therapist will determine a treatment plan which could include joint manipulations. Physical therapist are highly trained in joint mobilizations and manipulations in order to restore musculoskeletal health. Informed consent will be required prior to any treatment.

Most licensed Physical Therapists have obtained a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. The physical therapy profession transitioned from a Master’s degree to a Doctoral degree approximately 10 years ago. There are some Physical Therapists that received a Master’s degree prior to the transition that still practice. In total, most Physical Therapists spend about 7 years completing their education. This consists of years of anatomy, physiology, and other sciences. They learn every bone, joint, muscle, tendon, ligament, and nerve in the human body! During their program, they complete a portion of clinical education (similar to a medical internship), where they practice under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.  In addition to their education, some Physical Therapists seek additional training or residency opportunities to obtain a Board Certification in a specialty area such as orthopedics, neurology, cardiology/pulmonology, pediatrics, geriatrics, and women’s or pelvic health. To maintain an active license, Physical Therapists are required to take additional continuing education courses every two years

Home exercises are often an essential part of physical therapy. Your therapist will provide you with a personalized home exercise program to complement the in-clinic sessions. Consistency with these exercises is crucial for achieving optimal results.

Physical therapy is aimed at reducing pain and improving function, but some treatments may cause temporary discomfort or soreness as your body adjusts to new exercises or techniques. However, your physical therapist will work with you to ensure your comfort and adjust the treatment as needed.

Do you still have questions?

Please use the contact form and let us know what is on your mind. We are happy to answer any questions you might have!

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