WHY IS PHYSICAL THERAPY A GOOD IDEA?
We are hard on our bodies. We push it to its limits and beyond. And studies show it’s hurting us. According to an ABC News/Stanford poll, more than half of all Americans suffer from pain at any given moment. From repetitive motion injuries brought on by work to the rigorous pursuit of exercise and athletics in our free time, the modern body takes a beating. That’s where physical therapists are the antidote. Its are equipped to not only treat pain but find its source. They are expert at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Because pain often goes hand-in-hand with a movement disorder, physical therapists are uniquely qualified to correct the disorder and relieve the pain.
DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY HURT?
There is no one answer to this question because of the myriad treatments available for a whole host of issues…But yes, sometimes it takes pain to relieve pain. For example, recovering your range of motion after a total knee replacement or shoulder surgery may be a painful rehabilitation process. But that very pain tells the therapist how your body is healing and how to personalize your treatment approach. On the other hand, some physical therapy treatments offer an immediate sense of relief…like hands-on techniques, ultrasound, electrical stimulation or hot/cold therapy. Movement exercises may offer some pain and relief at the same time. Ask your PT if your treatment plan might involve pain. You will be working as a team, so communication is vital… This means you’ve got to tell your therapist about any pain you’re experiencing, including its intensity, frequency and duration. Because remember: pain offers clues.
WHAT DOES A PHYSICAL THERAPIST DO?
Physical Therapists improve quality of life. They get rid of back pain. They help the body after suffering a traumatic injury. They help surgical patients walk again, and stroke victims recover use of their limbs. They evaluate your lifestyle, physical goals and body’s unique structure to design programs to avoid future injury.
Physical therapists are experts in movement and function. This means they don’t confine their talents to treating people who are ill. A huge part of a physical therapist’s program is directed at preventing injury, loss of movement, and even surgery. Physical therapists work as consultants in industrial settings to improve workplace design and reduce the risk of workers overusing certain muscles or developing low back pain. They provide services to athletes at all levels, screening for potential problems and instituting preventive exercise programs. With the boom in the golf and fitness industries, physical therapists are actively consulting with recreational golfers and fitness clubs to develop safe and effective workouts, especially for people who already have joint or back problems.
The cornerstones of physical therapy treatment are therapeutic exercise and functional training. Besides “hands-on” care, physical therapists also educate patients on how to take care of their bodies and perform certain exercises on their own.
Most forms of physical therapy treatment are covered by your insurance, but coverage will vary with each plan. Most states do not legally require patients to see their physicians before seeing a physical therapist. Most of the time all you have to do is ask your doctor if physical therapy is right for you.
CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP ME AVOID SURGERY?
In many cases, yes! For some conditions, including meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tears, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disk disease, treatment by a physical therapist has been found to be as effective as surgery, minus all the invasiveness, cost and risk of infection that comes with any surgery.
HOW SHOULD I DRESS FOR A PHYSICAL THERAPY SESSION?
You should wear loose fitting clothing to easily expose the area that your Physical Therapist will be evaluating and treating. For example, if you have a knee problem, it’s best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice. For lower back problems, wear a loose fitting shirt and pants. This will make things easier for us and for you!
IS PHYSICAL THERAPY COVERED BY INSURANCE? WILL I NEED A REFERRAL?
In most cases, health insurance will cover your treatment. Click on our NEW PATIENTS page for a summary of insurances we accept. Because new insurance companies are constantly being added & policy details change, we encourage you to call our office so we can help you clarify your insurance coverage and whether or not you will need a referral to ensure coverage. However, we do not require an outside medical referral to see you at Prime Sports Wellness PT.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS DOES CORRECTING A PROBLEM TYPICALLY TAKE?
That’s a crystal ball kind of question. The length of treatment is as unique as every person who walks in our door. However, we pride ourselves on not only helping our patients, but empowering them with knowledge to help them take part in their rehabilitation process to speed the process along. And because our concierge service means you only work with our physical therapist for the full hour — no assistants or techs, no other patients sharing your time — you will get the most out of every appointment with your physical therapist, ensuring your treatment plan is constantly being adjusted to your healing body, speeding along the rehabilitation process. After all, our goal is to get your body in optimum shape as quickly as possible.
