FAQ

FAQ:

What happens during my first visit?

During your first visit you can expect the following:

• Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed (you can download it from our website - see the Patient Forms link), or 15 minutes early.

• Please provide a copy of your referral, if you have one. Note that a referral is not necessary.

• We will copy your insurance card.

• You will be seen for the initial evaluation by the therapist. The first visit will take between 45-60 minutes. Follow up visits are usually around 30-45 minutes.

• The therapist will discuss the following:

  1. Your medical history.

  2. Your current problems/complaints.

  3. Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem.

  4. How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations.

  5. Your goals with physical therapy.

  6. Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health.

• The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation which may include some of the following:

  1. Palpation - touching around the area of the pain/problem. This is done to check for the presence of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, inflammation, etc.

  2. Range of Motion (ROM) - the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of movement and any restrictions.

  3. Muscle Testing - the therapist may check for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often the muscle strength is graded. This is also part of a neurological screening.

  4. Neurological Screening - the therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well.

  5. Special Tests - the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.

  6. Posture Assessment - the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.

The therapist will then formulate a list of problems you are having, and how to treat those problems. A plan is subsequently developed with the patient's input. This includes how many times you should see the therapist per week, how many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short-term/long-term goals, and what is expected after discharge from therapy. This plan is created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor.

What do I need to bring with me?

Please bring your physical therapy referral (provided to you by your doctor) if you have one and your payment information. If your insurance is covering the cost of physical therapy, bring your insurance card. If you are covered by Workers' Compensation, bring your claim number and your case manager's contact information. If you are covered by auto insurance or an attorney lien, make sure you bring this information.

How should I dress?

Loose fitting clothing that will easily expose the area in need of attention would be best. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is helpful. We can provide clean clothes if needed as well.

How long will each treatment last?

Treatment sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes per visit.

How many visits will I need?

This is highly variable as you may need one visit or you may need months of care. Recovery depends on many factors such as the type of injury, stage of a disease process, the length of time since the onset of symptoms, as well as the general health of the patient. Other factors such as physical demand of a patient's job, daily activity and/ or sports demand may also determine the type of rehabilitation program as well as the degree of improvement. You will be re-evaluated each visit to best determine the optimal plan of care going forward.

Why are people referred to physical therapy and how does it work?

Typically, physical therapists are the functional movement specialists. We work on restoring physical function to eliminate pain and disability. However, emerging evidence on pain science proves that pain is not only a result of biomechanical issues. Pain is biological, psychological, and is influenced by social constructs as well (See Persistent Pain tab). At BPT we provide what is called psychological informed physical therapy to holistically and optimally treat pain (particularly when it becomes persistent).

Is physical therapy painful?

No! Well, it shouldn’t be. For many patients, one of the primary objectives is pain relief. This is frequently accomplished with hands-on techniques, modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and/or heat or cold therapy. Movement often provides pain relief as well. Your physical therapist will provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance.

However, following surgery and stiff joints (rotator cuff repair, knee/hip replacement, etc), getting that joint range of motion back can definitely be painful. This type of pain ALWAYS needs to be acceptable and tolerable though. Simply “toughing” through high levels of pain rarely produces the desired effects. And of course, everyone has different “pain thresholds”... and that’s okay!