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FAQ

How can physical therapy help me?

Physical therapists are uniquely qualified to assess and treat problems with your muscles and joints. Physical therapists are also experts at treating movement and function problems, including posture and balance difficulties. Your physical therapist will evaluate your condition and recommend treatment for you to alleviate your symptoms. From the findings of your examination, your physical therapist will develop a program of hands-on treatment, exercises and modalities (treatment with machines such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation). You may be instructed in an exercise program to perform at home, which might include exercises for stretching and strengthening your muscles, tips for correcting faulty posture and ways to maintain your pain-free state.

Does insurance cover physical therapy?

In most cases your insurance will cover our services. We are preferred providers for a vast number of insurance companies, and you can see a partial list of those companies on this website. In most cases we can bill your insurance company for you. If we are not contracted with your insurance company, you can still access our services by paying our discounted cash price for your visit. Please contact our office with any questions you have about coverage for your treatments. We will be happy to explain our cash price or how to determine if we are providers for your insurance. We can contact your insurance company regarding your benefits or you may contact them yourself to find out about your eligibility.

What do I need to do to get started?

Call our office at 619-589-0850 for an appointment. At that time, we will ask for information from the physical therapy prescription your doctor gave you and from your insurance card, so have them ready.  We will schedule you for your first visit at a convenient time for your schedule.

What do I need to bring for my first visit?

Please bring the physical therapy prescription your physician gave you, your insurance card, any X-ray, MRI or CT scan reports and operative reports you may have. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows us to expose the area we will be assessing. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is a good idea to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a sleeveless shirt or tank top is preferable. For a lower back problem, a good choice would be a loose-fitting shirt and pants or shorts. This will allow us to perform a full and accurate assessment of your problem.

 
What will happen on my first visit?

You should arrive 15 minutes early for your first appointment in order to allow time to fill out your paperwork. You will then be assessed by a licensed physical therapist who will take a thorough history of your problem, followed by a detailed physical examination. Your therapist will discuss the findings of your examination with you and suggest how to proceed with your individualized therapy program. Because our assessment is very comprehensive, it often requires the entire first visit to complete. In that case, hands-on treatment will begin at your next scheduled appointment.

How long will each session last and who will I see?

Each physical therapy treatment lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. At Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center, this time will be spent exclusively with your physical therapist, as we do not employ ancillary personnel such as physical therapist assistants or aides. Unlike some physical therapy offices where you see a different person each time you visit, you will see the same physical therapist at each visit unless you choose to schedule with more than one of our highly trained practitioners.

What type of education and license does my therapist have?

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, physical therapists must attend a physical therapy school that is affiliated with a medical school. This program is either a master’s or doctoral program and takes an additional two years to complete. Physical therapists then sit for their state boards and can only practice independently if they pass this difficult, two-day examination. All physical therapists at Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center take many continuing education courses each year to update and advance their skills to better serve our patients.