Frequently Asked Questions 

+ What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is the practice of managing pain and improving mobility and movement through simple stretches, exercises, and motions. This treatment method helps patients of all ages, injuries, and conditions and may be required long- or short-term depending on the condition or injury being treated. While physical therapy exercises are designed and recommended to patients by practicing physical therapists, patients are encouraged to practice exercises with professionals and at home between sessions. Your physical therapy treatment is designed based on your specific needs, which we determine based on a basic evaluation of your pain and any underlying conditions.

+ What should I expect at my first visit?

During your initial appointment, your physical therapist will ask a few questions to learn about you and why you are seeking physical therapy. We may ask questions about your condition or injury, where your pain is localized, how limited your mobility or function is, and how these limitations have impacted your life. These questions help us better understand your needs and what recovery may look like.

After asking these questions, your physical therapist will take some initial measurements of your injury or condition before compiling a treatment plan. This plan may include exercises, the length of time or number of repetitions of the exercise, and the general trajectory for your treatment as a whole.

+ What should I wear to my appointment?

Though your first appointment may be largely spent answering questions, you’ll likely be asked to perform some stretching, movement, or strength-building exercises. We recommend our patients wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that they can easily move around in for every session they spend with us. Any exercises performed outside of our clinic should also be performed while wearing similar clothing, as any tight or restrictive clothing may limit the efficacy of the exercises.

Depending on your injury, we may ask you to wear clothing that allows our therapists access to the affected area. For instance, shorts may be required for anyone with a knee, ankle, or another leg injury, while short sleeve shirts are best for any shoulder, wrist, or arm injury.

+ What should I bring to my first appointment?

For your initial visit, be sure to bring water and a change of clothes in case your therapist needs access to the affected area that your current clothing doesn’t allow. We also recommend that you arrive with your insurance card and any additional identifying records, as well as any information you have about your injury and your medical history.

This information is vital to an accurate evaluation and appropriate treatment plan. While you’re not required to visit a doctor before attending your initial physical therapy appointment, your injury may require additional scans or diagnoses. Even if you don’t believe certain medical details may be related, mention them to your physical therapist. This includes:

• Any recent injuries or stressful situations;
• How your current home and workspaces may impact your treatment or ability to perform exercises;
• Any additional providers you’re currently working with regarding your condition;
• Any medical conditions or histories common in your family; and
• All laboratory tests, scans, and reports related to your injury or condition.

+ Do I need a prescription for physical therapy?

As of 2015, a prescription or referral is not required for physical therapy in all states. This is known as direct access, and it allows patients to skip visiting a doctor before making an appointment with a physical therapist. Your length of covered treatment will also depend on your insurance company, so be sure to confirm how many sessions are covered before starting intensive therapy.

While you may not need a physician’s referral to begin physical therapy, your physical therapist may still recommend speaking with your doctor. Physical therapists undergo extensive training to recognize when an injury or condition is beyond their level of treatment, meaning a physician’s visit may be inevitable. Always listen to your therapist’s recommendations in order to best treat your injury or condition.

+ Can I continue my regular exercises?

Exercising is generally great to pair with physical therapy! On the whole, exercising regularly will help decrease the amount of time your injury needs to heal because exercising increases your blood flow and encourages healing in affected areas. However, keep in mind that exercising is only helpful if your regular routine is adjusted to consider your injury. Much of this concern stems from the possibility of over-exerting your affected area, leading to a more serious injury and even more time spent healing.

To prevent this, we will create a plan that will modify your current routine with lighter weights, fewer repetitions, or more breaks within your workout.

+ Can I do physical therapy if I’m seeing a chiropractor or other provider?

Absolutely! Physical therapists, chiropractors, physicians, and other providers frequently communicate and work with each other to assist their patients in recovering from injuries and pain more quickly. (Depending on the clinic you visit, your physical therapy office may also offer chiropractic or additional services.)

However, it’s important to remember not to strain yourself when visiting multiple providers. While physical therapists can explain your treatment plan to other physicians, performing more than the recommended number of exercises or motions may lead your affected region or muscle to further injuries. Only you know your limitations, so always communicate efficiently and effectively with every physician or physical therapist you work with.

+ How long does it take for physical therapy to work?

Unfortunately, there is no exact answer to this question. While there are average healing times for various areas of the body, the following will all affect how quickly physical therapy will begin to help:

• The extensiveness of your injury or condition
• Where the affected area is located on your body
• Your own healing rate
• The effort you put into your exercises and treatment

Most physical therapy programs last about six to eight weeks long, which includes the average healing time for many muscles, tendons, and bone injuries. However, ligament and cartilage injuries may take ten weeks or more to heal. Throughout your time with your physical therapist, he or she will monitor how the affected area performs and the pain level you experience to determine wherein you are in your treatment.

Physical therapy may be your answer to regaining mobility and managing your pain. Our biggest concern is helping you achieve these possibilities and getting you back on your feet, but we know how scary it can be to start something you’ve never tried. If you think physical therapy is right for you but still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you live your life without limits and pain, and together that is possible.