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| | What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is an individualized, conservative treatment provided by licensed professionals to improve your ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical Therapy is appropriate for a wide variety of diagnoses and conditions, including orthopedic conditions such as low back pain or osteoporosis; joint and soft tissue injuries such as fractures and sprains; post surgical conditions; sports injuries; neurologic conditions; and workplace injuries. For a complete list of injuries and diagnoses seen at Performance Physical Therapy please click here.
Physical therapy provides services for people of all ages, from newborns to the geriatric population. Physical therapy can be provided only by qualified, licensed physical therapists or by a physical therapist assistant who works under the supervision of a physical therapist. |
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| Who Are Physical Therapists?
Physical Therapists are licensed professionals with a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapy program. The minimum educational requirement is a master's degree, yet most educational programs now offer the doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree.
Advanced board certification can be achieved in a clinical specialty such as orthopedics after passing a comprehensive examination. Performance Physical Therapy currently has 5 Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialists.
In addition to the education physical therapists have, the individualized, "hands on" approach characterizes physical therapy care that is highly valued by patients.
What to Expect on the First Visit:
Unless you have already downloaded and completed patient forms, paperwork will be completed.
During the initial visit your physical therapist completes a comprehensive examination. This includes a detailed review of your medical history and presenting problem and a physical examination where strength, flexibility, balance, posture, joint and soft tissue mobility may be assessed. Current and potential problems are determined and with consideration of your specific goals, your physical therapist will design a plan of care to include specific interventions to address these problems. A timetable will be proposed to achieve these goals and optimize your function. Treatment is typically initiated on this initial visit.
The specifics of the treatment will be determined after the examination. Please click here for specifics on treatment options at Performance Physical Therapy. Please allow about 1 hour for the first visit.
Your physical therapist will continually reassess your progress toward your treatment goals and will work with you and your other health professionals to plan for your discharge from physical therapy.
You should feel comfortable asking your physical therapist any questions regarding your course of care, including specifics regarding interventions and expectations.
Will it Hurt?
Typically the treatment will not hurt. You may have mild soreness or swelling as a result of treatment, which you should tell your physical therapist about so treatment can be adjusted accordingly. Ongoing assessment and adjustment means that the risk of any injury or complication from physical therapy is very low.
How Long will I Need to Come to Physical Therapy?
This depends on your diagnosis, age, and rate of progress. Usually most patients complete a course of physical therapy between 4 and 8 weeks. Additionally, each physical therapy session takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour.
Will You Share my Health Records?
Your physician will receive a copy of your plan of care following the initial evaluation, followed by re-evaluations, progress notes and discharge notes.
How Do I Find a Physical Therapist?
Most importantly you have the freedom to choose your own physical therapist.
Your health professional may recommend a certain physical therapist because of their expertise.
Your physician may refer you for physical therapy that would be provided in his or her office or to a facility in which he or she has a financial interest. If either situation is the case, insist that your physical therapy be provided by a licensed physical therapist. Many people find their physical therapist by talking with friends or family, or even by looking in the telephone book or on the Internet. It is important that you are satisfied with your physical therapist and the setting. If you are not happy you have the right to go somewhere else.
Rhode Island does not require a referral for you to see a physical therapist, however many of the insurance companies require this to reimburse for services and in addition may limit access or amount of treatment. How Much will Physical Therapy Cost?
This will vary depending on your insurance plan. Please click here for further information regarding insurance and billing. |
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