Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Physical Therapy

We know that you probably have a lot of questions regarding physical therapy, and how we can help you with your injury or condition. We want to make sure that all of your questions are answered prior to starting your treatment program. Hopefully the following list will answer most of the basics, but please don't hesistate to contact us with any additional questions.

General Topics:

• What is physical therapy?
• How are physical therapists educated?
• What does a physical therapist do?
• What can a physical therapy program do for me that I cannot do on my own?
• How should I expect to feel and how long will it take to get better?
• Who benefits from physical therapy?
• What are some of the beneifts of physical therapy treatment?
• Who chooses which physical therapist I go to?
• Can I see a physical therapist without first seeing my doctor?
• What should I consider when choosing a physical therapist?
• When is the best time to start physical therapy?
• Is it ok to ask my doctor about physical therapy?

Specific Topics:

• Do I need a prescription or referral for physical therapy?
• Will my insurance cover physical therapy?
• How do I arrange an appointment?
• What should I wear?
• What should I bring with me?
• What should I expect on my first visit?
• What types of treatment may I receive?
• What can I do at home to speed recovery?
• Will I see the same therapist each visit?
• How long will my visit last?
• How often do I need to attend physical therapy?
• How is my progress measured?
• How will the physical therapist communicate with my physician?
• What if I have an increase in symptoms after a therapy session?
• Will I need follow-up or maintenance care?
• What if I need to return to physical therapy?
• What office policies should I be aware of?
• Why choose us?

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapists, also known as PTs, are health care professionals who evaluate and treat people with health problems resulting from injury or disease. PTs assess joint motion, muscle strength and endurance, balance and coordination, neurological function, function of the heart and lungs, and performance of activities required in daily living, among other responsibilities. PTs also focus on patient education, ergonomics (body mechanics), fitness and wellness. More than 90,000 physical therapists practice in the U.S. today, treating nearly 1 million people every day.

How are physical therapists educated?

Physical therapists attain their knowledge and skills through extensive academic and clinical education. To enter the profession, physical therapists must have completed at least four years of college, graduated from an accredited professional education program, and secured a license by successfully completing a state licensure examination. All professional education programs include basic science and clinical science courses and emphasize the science, theory, and practice of physical therapy. The curriculum includes opportunities to apply and integrate theory through extensive clinical education in a variety of practice settings. Most physical therapists now enter the profession with a post-baccalaureate degree. Most recently, Doctorate programs in Physical Therapy (DPT) have become available and will become the way of the future.

What does a physical therapist do?

Physical therapy places great emphasis on the evaluation process. Your physical therapist will take the time to talk with you and perform a thorough physical evaluation to identify the dysfunction that causes your pain. Your physical therapist will plan a treatment regimen suited to your individual problem and begin working to restore proper motion and ease discomfort. Treatment may include: heat, cold, massage, traction, electrical stimulation, laser treatment, manual therapy, joint mobilization, exercise for stretching or strengthening, cardiovascular endurance enhancement, balance and coordination exercises, gait training, and skills training to improve activities of daily living and restore function. Your physical therapist will also help you continue therapy on your own with a home program designed to fit your needs. The goal of physical therapy is to return you to normal life as soon as possible with the skills you need to prevent re-injury.

What can a physical therapy program do for me that I cannot do on my own?

Many patients think that they know how to properly exercise, manage pain, and rehabilitate themselves. Many times we hear explanations from patients for why they do not need therapy and often we hear the horror stories of what happened when they tried to manage the care themselves. A physical therapist is a health care professional, educated specifically in physical rehabilitation. PTs attend continuing education programs annually, are able to differentiate one dysfunction or injury from another, and PTs work closely with your referring physician in the development of your rehabilitation program. More importantly, with physical therapy comes patient education. Because your physician may not always have the time to explain to you exactly what your injury, dysfunction, or disability entails, your physical therapist many times will be the one to educate you on the specifics of your problem, the course of action required to correct it, and how to prevent it from reoccurring. Therefore, physical therapy focuses on education, correction and prevention.

How should I expect to feel and how long will it take to get better?

Physical therapy sessions will generally make you feel better after the first or second visit. However, there are some techniques used during the session that can be painful, for example stretching. You may also experience some muscle soreness after strengthening exercises. These reactions are completely normal to the healing process. As your therapy progresses you will feel better, and have greater ease in movement and activity. The rule of thumb is it takes time to create trauma to the body, so it takes time to heal from it. Healing takes time, diligence and compliance. The home program is critical to the early healing process and can significantly help to speed recovery.

Who benefits from physical therapy?

Almost everyone can benefit from physical therapy. Physical therapists see patients for a multitude of reasons. Patients with reduced strength, endurance or movement range because of neurological, orthopedic, or work/sports-related problems may be referred to a physical therapist. Patients may also be referred after surgery or acute illness such as after ACL reconstruction or a rotator cuff repair. Patients with structural changes due to aging or disease can benefit from the assistance of a physical therapist to improve posture and the control of movement. Physical therapists can conduct work-site analysis and ergonomic classes to prevent job-related injuries. Physical therapists also work with athletes and weekend warriors to design and implement training and conditioning programs to improve performance abilities, rehabilitate trauma, and reduce the risk of injury. Most importantly, physical therapists can help prevent the need for invasive procedures such as surgery, after an injury has occurred. If you think you may be a candidate for physical therapy, speak to your physician or to a physical therapist.

What are some of the benefits of physical therapy treatment?

Physical therapy treatment will restore the function of the body. You may benefit from greater range of motion in your joints and enhanced muscle strength. You can maximize your cardiovascular endurance, and develop ways to improve your health and well-being. Physical therapy treatments will reduce and often help to eliminate your pain, swelling, and discomfort. Improving your posture is also another benefit of physical therapy. Having greater trunk control and eliminating muscle imbalances is very important to your health. Improving balance, coordination, and gait are also critical to functioning better in life. These are just to name a few.

Who chooses which physical therapist I go to?

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. If you have a specific request, you need to let your physician or insurance company know. Ultimately, however, the decision as to where you receive your care is up to you.

Can I see a physical therapist without first seeing my doctor?

Recently, the State of New Jersey has passed a Direct Access law allowing physical therapists to see patients without a written prescription from a physician. However, since this is a recent change in the law, most insurance companies have not recognized this fact and still require proof of obtaining a written prescription from the physician to allow payment for physical therapy. In light of the limits imposed by the insurance companies, our office still requires a written prescription be obtained from a physician prior to receiving care at our office. Prescriptions may come from any licensed medical physician (M.D. or D.O.), podiatrist (for foot related diagnoses), chiropractor (for spinal related diagnoses) or dentist (for TMJ or oral fracture diagnoses).

If you do not have a regular physician or physician specialist and would like our assistance in selecting a physician that may be right for you, please feel free to contact our office for assistance.

We also offer a free consultation for anyone who would like to understand more about the benefits of physical therapy and have not yet seen their physician. Simply contact our office and let our staff know you are interested in a receiving a PT consult. One of our physical therapists will assess your situation and advise you on whether physical therapy is right for you. We can even provide a written letter for you to take with you to your physician that will outline our findings and recommendations.

What should I consider when choosing a physical therapist?

10 Questions To Ask Your PT ... And Why!

So there you are with yellow pages in hand looking up "physical therapists". Or perhaps a friend recommends a PT, but it turns out to be a friend of theirs whom he owes a favor. Often, referrals are made to places where people have a vested interest.

Maybe you are more interested in whom you think is best qualified to address your needs and goals. Following are some questions that will help you determine if your physical therapist truly is the best qualified to treat you.

1. "Are you a licensed physical therapist?"
You absolutely want your physical therapy evaluation and treatment to be done by a licensed physical therapist. Physical therapists and physical therapy assistants are licensed by the NJ State Board of Physical Therapy. Treatments may be rendered either by a licensed physical therapist or physical therapy assistant. Your medical condition requires the special knowledge of your physical therapist. You and your insurance company are paying for this level of expertise. Despite it being illegal in NJ, many sites have unlicensed staff educating you on your condition and/or treating you with exercise programs that they design, all at the level of cost intended for the personalized care by your physical therapist. This is profitable to the facility, but you and your insurance company are being seriously short-changed in the quality of care you receive.

2. "What are your credentials and have you treated this type of problem before?"
Foremost, make sure your care is provided by a licensed physical therapist and/or physical therapist assistant. In NJ, therapists are required to display their license prominently in the facility and wear a nametag displaying their credentials.
Physical therapists, like most other health-care professionals, specialize in one or more specific types of treatment. Some specialties are orthopedics, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, hand therapy, sports medicine, neurology and geriatrics, just to name a few. Those that specialize regularly attend seminars and lectures on the latest evaluation and treatment techniques and therefore are the most informed and up-to-date on how to best treat your injury or condition. Some physical therapists can even obtain board certification in their area of specialization or become certified and/or licensed in related fields such as athletic training or strength & conditioning.

3. "Is the facility owned by the physical therapist, or by a large company or physician group?"
You want a physical therapist that can make an independent, totally unbiased judgment as to your need for and ability to benefit from physical therapy. Feel free to ask your referring physician if he/she gains financially by referring you to a particular facility. Find out who owns the facility and think twice if the answer is someone other than a physical therapist. Non-physical therapists who are owners will make decisions for their own financial gain rather than for your benefit. Physical therapists have their license at stake and are bound by Standards of Care and Ethics.

4. "What are your financial policies?"
You should be familiar with your own insurance coverage, what it pays, and what it does not pay. Insurance programs stipulate that there are required co-payments for some benefits. Know whether your physical therapy facility "participates" in your insurance plan. If the facility does participate, then be aware that a policy to waive co-payments or deductibles is insurance fraud and punishable by law. Most physical therapy facilities will ask for co-payments (if required by your insurance plan) on a weekly basis, and bill your insurance company after each visit. Ask to sign a financial agreement with the physical therapy facility, so that both parties are in agreement as to your financial obligation.

5. "What can I expect from my physical therapist?"
The physical therapist will evaluate your condition, set up a treatment program, answer any questions you may have and keep you abreast of your progress. A good facility will work toward relieving your pain and restoring your function as soon as possible.

6. "Tell me about your facility."
You want to know if the physical therapist has private treatment rooms, an exercise room, parking close to the office, handicap accessibility. Ask about the office hours. Ask if you will have to wait long for your appointment or if the office runs on schedule.

7. "What type of equipment do you have?"
It is important to know what type of equipment the physical therapist has to help treat your injury. If they have some specialized equipment, they will tell you - especially if it is injury specific. However, realize that the most important tools physical therapists have is their head (for problem analysis) and their hands (for soft tissue assessment and treatment). Also ask how much one-to-one time you can expect from the therapist on each visit.

8. "What about communicating my condition to my doctor?"
Your evaluation and progress should be reported by your physical therapist to your doctor(s). This keeps everyone informed so that you will receive a team approach to your care and allows the therapist to provide you with the maximum benefit from your treatments.

9. "May I meet with your staff and see your facility?"
If you are going to trust the physical therapist to treat your injury, you should be totally certain in your mind that he or she is fully capable to treat you. The physical therapist should be willing to answer any questions you may have prior to setting up your treatment sessions. You, your doctor and your physical therapist must work together as a team. Therefore open communication is vital.

10. "Will I get an evaluation and the opportunity to discuss my treatment goals? Will that same person be responsible for all of my treatments?"
All patients should receive an evaluation that includes a subjective history, a listing of objective findings, a problem list, treatment goals, and a plan of care that integrates these. There should be a timetable to achieve all goals. It is your right to discuss your condition and ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable and sure that you understand the entire rehabilitation process.
Continuity between the evaluation and treatment sessions should always be maintained. The greatest degree of continuity comes with keeping scheduled appointments and requesting that you see the same therapist each visit. Each physical therapist should maintain a schedule that offers the widest variety of treatment time options. Setting appointments in advance helps ensure that you will see the same therapist on each visit.

When is the best time to start physical therapy?

In general starting physical therapy should be done as early as possible. Initiating physical therapy early on will reduce the overall treatment time that you will require by not allowing the problem to become chronic. If you are in pain and or you are in an acute state, your program will be modified according to your signs and symptoms. What is done for you in physical therapy depends on the clinical stage you are presenting in, not just the diagnosis. Therefore, your care will be modified according to the signs and symptoms during the acute, sub-acute, and chronic phases of your problem.

Is it ok to ask my doctor about physical therapy?

Absolutely. If you have a problem that you think can be helped with physical therapy, feel free to give us a call first. We will offer you a free consultation with one of our physical therapists. We will assess your situation, and if necessary, even write a letter to your doctor that you can take with you on your visit to his/her office. You can also give your doctor a call. If not sure, he/she is welcome to contact us as well. In today's healthcare environment, if you feel physical therapy can be helpful to you, you can simply ask your doctor for a prescription.

Do I need a prescription or referral for physical therapy?

In most cases, in order to receive insurance coverage for physical therapy, a prescription is required. A prescription is different from a referral. A "prescription" is a physician order for physical therapy, and it includes: the patient's name, a diagnosis, a treatment plan (or the words "evaluate and treat"), the physician's signature, and the date. Prescriptions may come from any licensed medical physician (M.D. or D.O.), podiatrist (for foot related diagnoses), chiropractor (for spinal related diagnoses) or dentist (for TMJ or oral fracture diagnoses). A "referral" is a document required by some insurance companies if you have out-of-network benefits. A referral is usually not required.

If you need help in obtaining a prescription or referral, please contact our office. In most cases your doctor will give you a prescription during your regular office visit. Prescriptions may be faxed to our office directly from your doctor's office. Our fax number is (732) 972 - 5458.

Will my insurance cover physical therapy?

Most insurance plans provide coverage for physical therapy. However, the number of visits and/or the number of treatment modalities allowable may vary between insurance companies and plans. Our facility accepts all plans. We are in-network providers with most POS, PPO, traditional plans, MVA, Workers' Compensation, Medicare plans and many others. Click here to see our list of insurance companies for which we are an in-network provider . If you do not see your company on this list, please call our office, as additions to the list may not yet be posted. If your company is not on our list, you may have out-of-network benefits and we will work with you to ensure affordable co-payment plans.

We've worked hard to make the process easy....simply call our office to arrange for your initial evaluation and provide us with your insurance carrier information. Our office staff will contact your insurance provider and get the authorization you need. Then, we will contact you back to review your coverage. It's that simple. However, we strongly advise that for your own knowledge, you become aware of your policy limits and coverages. This will ensure that you are an educated consumer in all aspects of your care, not limited to physical therapy.

If you have any questions regarding your specific insurance plan give us a call.

How do I arrange an appointment?

If your physician gives you a prescription for physical therapy, simply call our office for an appointment. Typically, we can see you within 24 hours of your call, and that is the first step to getting you back on the road to recovery. During the call we will ask you for some basic information to get you started and to help us verify your insurance. The call will last approximately five (5) minutes. To view our contact information, clinic hours and directions to our facility click here.

What should I wear?

In general, wear comfortable workout clothing and athletic shoes to physical therapy. Loose-fitting clothes will enable us to examine, touch and treat the injured area. If you are presenting with a problem of your cervical spine, upper back or shoulders, you should wear a t-shirt or tank top. If you are coming for a lower extremity problem, shorts are important. Feel free to pack a bag and change in our locker rooms. Showers and lockers are available for your convenience. Towels are also available at the facility.

What should I bring with me?

For your first visit you will need your insurance card, your medical doctor's prescription and any paperwork that you downloaded off our website and completed at home. If you have copies of any operative reports, MRI or X-ray results in your possession, you should bring those as well. If you don't have these reports, and the physical therapist has any questions about them, we can call your physician to obtain copies. Additionally, if you are utilizing any type of brace, splint, walker or crutches, those should come with you as well. Finally, remember your calendar so that we can schedule future visits.

What should I expect on my first visit?

On your first visit you can expect to be introduced to your physical therapist and to our support staff, such as our office manager. You may be asked to complete a few short forms or you may download these forms from our web site and bring them with you on your first visit. We will make a copy of your insurance card and prepare your chart for your initial evaluation. Your physical therapist will then perform an evaluation to determine what deficits and/or problems you have that can be addressed in physical therapy. The initial evaluation involves a thorough history, objective testing and measuring, following which your physical therapist will list your specific problems, establish reasonable goals, and determine a plan of treatment. The physical therapist will then discuss with you things you should know for home, for instance, how to position yourself in bed, or how to perform normal activities of daily living. Then you will be instructed in a home exercise program specifically established for you and your condition. Additionally, your physical therapist will often start your treatment plan on the first visit to help begin the recovery process. Finally, you will be asked if you have any questions or concerns, and the therapist will take the time needed to address your concerns and have you feel comfortable that you understand everything. Future appointments will also be scheduled.

What types of treatment may I receive?

The treatment you receive in physical therapy will depend upon what the physical therapist finds in the evaluation. The key to successful rehabilitation and recovery is a thorough evaluation and assessment. During treatment, we emphasize a personalized, "hands-on" approach, and will provide you with a full spectrum of physical therapy skills and techniques to best serve you. Keep in mind, that a physical therapist's greatest asset is their hands! Our physical therapists will mobilize dysfunctional tissues and joints, which will promote a speedier, more complete recovery. We aim for a safe, yet aggressive treatment approach that will effectively meet your goals in a timely manner. This will include hands-on manual therapy, self-treatment, and therapeutic exercise to go right to the structure and resolve the problem. We do not stress "feel good" modalities, such as heat, ultrasound, or massage, which do little to address the underlying pathology and can cause patient dependence. However, we will utilize these and other modalities as needed when addressing pain and inflammation. Finally, you will learn how to prevent an injury or dysfunction from reoccurring, and learn what you can do to maintain normal mobility and strength outside of the physical therapy office.

What can I do at home to speed recovery?

As a patient in physical therapy you have a responsibility in your care. Your physical therapist will ask you to perform exercises at home on your own to augment the care you receive in the office. This "home exercise program" is one of the most important aspects of the care you will receive and will allow you to control your symptoms between physical therapy visits. Your participation in the program is also instrumental in speeding your recovery time.

Will I see the same therapist each visit?

We believe in continuity of care. Therefore, in most cases you will be treated by the same physical therapist that performs your evaluation. You can ensure that you work with the same therapist by making sure your schedule is free during your particular therapist's workday and/or by mentioning your therapist's name to the staff member that schedules your appointments. If your schedule doesn't permit you to meet with your main physical therapist, then we strongly urge you to make an appointment with another therapist when you are available. Rest assured that every therapist is extremely qualified to render care to you. And, in some cases, a "team" approach will produce better results. We always require that all of our therapists fully document every finding, treatment, and plan immediately following each visit. This ensures that your care will be continuous no matter which therapist works with you.

How long will my visit last?

Treatment time will vary according to your condition. There is no specific time limit for a physical therapy session. Your initial treatment plan will be updated and modified according to how you progress with physical therapy. You may start out slow and gradually ramp up to receiving all types of treatment approaches deemed beneficial for you. Everyone is different and how you respond to care may have an effect on your time in a particular session. On average, most physical therapy treatments last about 1 - 1.5 hours with somewhat longer time being necessary for this first visit because of the evaluation.

How often do I need to attend physical therapy?

Most patients are treated two to three times per week. The total duration of physical therapy will depend on the severity of your injury. The more committed you are in your recovery (meaning, you regularly attend your physical therapy sessions and do your home exercise program), the more likely you are to recover faster. We try to set up permanent appointment times in order to enable you to fit physical therapy into your busy schedule.

How is my progress measured?

Because your physical therapist will perform a meticulous evaluation, quantifying and qualifying all the deficits and problems you are presenting with, re-evaluation, and re-measurement to determine progress are possible. You will be re-evaluated on a periodic basis the frequency of which will depend upon your diagnosis as well as the chronicity of the problem. In general, patients are re-evaluated anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. Measurements are compared between the two dates, the problem list and goals are re-determined and a new treatment plan is derived as necessary. Again, you will have an opportunity to discuss all aspects of your condition with your physical therapist.

To be the most effective in providing the best care to you and in order to keep the team approach, your physical therapist will need to send a report to your physician any time you return to his office. Ideally, the report will need to get there before you do. So time is of the essence. Remember to remind your physical therapist at least 72 hours prior to your next doctor's appointment, so that a re-evaluation can be performed and letter to your doctor can be completed and sent.

How will the physical therapist communicate with my physician?

The physical therapist will communicate with your physician most commonly by written report. The physical therapist will send a complete written report outlining the findings of their initial evaluation as well as their assessment of the problem and an outline of the general treatment and frequency with which they intend to see you. The physical therapist will continue to update your physician with written reports as appropriate and most specifically prior to your return to the physician. This is why it is so important that you let your therapist know at least 72 hours in advance if you have an appointment with your physician. Additionally, the therapist will, as they feel appropriate, contact the physician by phone if they have a specific concern or question. At the end of your treatment the physical therapist will send a follow- up report to your physician with final information as to your status at the time of discharge from physical therapy.

What if I have an increase in symptoms after a therapy session?

While having an increase in symptoms is uncommon, it can happen, and in most cases your physical therapist can walk you through the steps needed to feel better. If you have increased symptoms after a PT session please contact our office. 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 therapist or a covering physical therapist. The physical therapist will be able to review the information and if they are available, speak to you immediately or give you a call back that same day. The therapist will be able to discuss ways for you to reduce your symptoms at home, assist you in finding more comfortable positions, review any questions you may have with your home exercise program, and advise you if you should return to our office or contact your physician.

Will I need follow-up or maintenance care?

Our goal is to resolve your problem completely so that you don't require continual follow-up or maintenance care at our facility. However, we do recommend that you continue your home exercise program in order to maintain your flexibility and strength. In addition, if you wish to continue with a fitness program, either at our location or at your local gym, our physical therapists will give you guidelines for proper exercise and conditioning. For more information about our fitness and wellness services, click here.

What if I need to return to physical therapy?

If you have a recurrent problem after your discharge from physical therapy, you may need to return for additional care. As a general rule, if it has been more than 30 days since you were last seen at our office, you will require an initial evaluation. This is to ensure that we have the latest findings and have determined the best treatment approach for your condition. You can either see your doctor to obtain a new prescription for physical therapy or call and ask him/her to fax it to our office. Then simply call us to schedule an appointment. If it has been less than 30 days since we saw you last, then call our office to see if your current prescription is still valid. If you are unsure of the steps needed, simply call us and we will gladly walk you through the process.

What office policies should I be aware of?

• Be on time. Generally, patients are taken within 5 minutes of their arrival.
• Call if you will be late. We will usually be able to accommodate your schedule. Making us aware of your schedule will help the therapists manage other patients and be able to move things around for you.
• If you need to cancel a scheduled appointment call us immediately and have a different date or time in mind to make up your missed appointment. We strongly encourage patients to keep the frequency of visits in-line with what your physician has ordered.
• Notify your physical therapist at least 72 hours in advance of when you will be returning to your physician for a follow-up visit. The therapist must have time to properly schedule a re-evaluation for you and to issue a written report to update your physician on your progress.
• Schedule appointments in advance and notify the scheduler if you need special considerations (extra time, need a re-evaluation, prefer a specific therapist etc.). If you don't schedule your appointments in advance it will be more difficult to give you the times that you desire.

Why choose us?

Because we are the most respected group of physical therapists in NJ. We offer over 48 years of "hands-on" experience and stay up-to-date with the latest techniques through regular attendance of educational programs. Local physicians, their families and staff trust us so much that they are our patients too! All our patients receive personalized care, not an assembly line atmosphere. We are well organized, and known for our loyalty, honest, integrity and professionalism. Click here to see more reasons to choose Professional Sports & Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Associates, LLC. If you are still not sure, feel free to give us a call or stop in to speak to one of our therapists.