What is physical therapy?
Answer: Physical Therapy is a dynamic profession with an established theoretical and scientific base, and widespread clinical applications in the restoration, maintenance, and promotion of optimal physical function. For more than 750,000 people every day in the United States, physical therapists:
- Diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities.
- Restore, maintain, and promote not only optimal physical function but optimal wellness, fitness, and optimal quality of life as it relates to movement and health.
- Prevent the onset, symptoms, and progression of impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities that may result from diseases, disorders, conditions, or injuries.The terms “physical therapy” and “physiotherapy,” and the terms “physical therapist” and “physiotherapist,” are synonomous
What should I expect on my first visit?
Answer: 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 judgment 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.
What types of treatment interventions will I receive?
Answer: 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; skin repair and protection techniques; electrotherapeutic modalities; and mechanical modalities. Your education regarding your specific problems is also very important to us.
How long will my visit last?
Answer: Your first visit will last approximately 60-90 minutes and will include evaluation, and treatment. Subsequent visits will take about 60 minutes or so depending on what your physical therapist has planned for your treatment session. You will be re-assessed at least weekly to determine if your plan of treatment needs to be modified based on your rate of progress, and remaining problems.
How is my progress measured?
Answer: During your initial evaluation, problems are identified that affect your pain level, mobility, strength and function. Goals are then established to help measure your progress as treatment progresses. These goals are functionally based and may include measurements of your pain, strength, mobility, and tolerances for movements or positions as they relate to your ability to function at home, work, school, or in recreation. You will be re-assessed at least weekly to determine your rate of progress compared to the goals established on your initial evaluation. Your physical therapist will then make modifications in your treatment plan accordingly. Progress summaries are provided to your physician every two weeks, or more often as needed.
Will I need follow up or maintenance care?
Answer: The answer depends entirely on the physical therapist's examination/evaluation to determine your diagnosis and prognosis.
What if I need to return to physical therapy?
Answer: 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.
Is it okay to initiate physical therapy on my own or should I ask my doctor to refer me to physical therapy?
Answer: Absolutely. If you have a problem that you think can be helped with physical therapy, feel free to give us a call. The physical therapist will ask you specific questions in order to gain a better understanding of your problem or dysfunction. He or she will then discuss possible treatment interventions with you, and give you a better idea if it is something that is manageable with physical therapy. You can also give your doctor a call and request a referral to physical therapy. California is a direct access state. That means you may obtain physical therapy services directly on your own without a physician's referral; but because your physician cares about each aspect of your health care, it's a good idea to make him aware you are initiating physical therapy so that he can communicate with your physical therapist any needed health information pertinent to your care.
Will my insurance cover physical therapy?
Answer: Although most insurance companies do cover physical therapy, what they cover specifically varies greatly.
How do I arrange an appointment?
Answer: 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.
What should I wear?
Answer: 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 knee-leg-ankle-foot problem, shorts are important. You can bring clothing with you if you need to change here.
What should I bring with me?
Answer: For your first visit you will need your insurance card, 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, and 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.
What if I have an increase in symptoms?
Answer: 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 as if a change in symptoms has occurred, it is important that we fax the physician a report so that he can be up to date on your care when you see him for a follow-up visit.
Who chooses what physical therapist I go to?
Answer: 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.
Why should I choose physical therapy?
Answer: 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. Additionally, physical therapy unlike some other forms of treatment, is not designed to go on as a maintenance program. Because we look to resolution, maintenance is not generally necessary.
Why choose Rob Rosenberry physical therapy?
Answer: 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 and stop in to speak to one of our therapists.
What is my responsibility in physical therapy?
Answer: 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. Please help us to help YOU.
