Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to bring to my physical therapy appointments?

For your first visit, please bring your physician referral, your insurance information, and a form
of identification. If you do not have insurance, please be prepared to pay for services with cash or
credit/debit card.

Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing that is easy for you to move around in. During our initial evaluation,
we will need access to the associated body parts we will be treating. If you are coming in for a knee, leg, ankle
or foot problem, shorts are perfect. If you are coming in for a shoulder, arm or spinal problem, we will ask
for you to change into our gowns for proper evaluation. Always wear comfortable, breathable clothing; as you
progress through therapy you will be doing exercises and activities that may make you sweat.

My doctor referred me to someone else or used someone else’s prescription pad. Can I still see you?

You are a health care consumer and are free to shop wherever you like. Your physician may have referred you
elsewhere, but you can still use the prescription s/he gave you in our facility. The prescription shows that your treatment is
medically necessary, and can be provided to your insurance carrier for payment of services. Your physician may choose
to refer you elsewhere, but cannot control your right to choose where you wish to go. Both you and your physician will be
happy with choosing us!

Do I need a prescription for physical therapy services?

The State of Florida is a direct access state, which means you do NOT need a prescription to see a physical therapist. However,
if you wish for your insurance carrier to pay for your services, it is required by them for payment.

If you choose to pay cash for your services, physical therapists are licensed experts who function as autonomous health care providers that understand how to evaluate and treat you fully for your particular health challenges. If you are medically compromised or have issues that need medical supervision, we are trained to identify “red flags” and would require that you allow us to collaborate with your primary care physician regarding your care in a team approach.

I don’t see my insurance company listed as one that you participate with. Does that mean you don’t take my insurance?

Absolutely not. We are credentialed with many major medical insurance companies and many health insurance networks. It would be impossible to list them all. Some of the networks have hundreds of insurance companies that fall under their umbrella. The best thing to do is allow our office to verify your outpatient therapy benefits with your insurance carrier. We are happy to do this as a service to you, we

understand how confusing the insurance industry is! You can usually call the number on the back of your insurance card to verify benefits and provider participation. Chances are, we are in network.
 

If you do take my insurance does that mean I have no financial responsibility?

No. You are contractually and legally obligated to pay your co-insurances, deductables and/or co-payments as required by your health insurance provider.

Can you waive my deductable, co-payment or coinsurance?

We will not routinely waive a patients’ co-payment, deductable or co-insurance as they can be subject to civil, criminal and administrative violations of Federal and State Laws. However, in extreme cases where a patient demonstrates extreme financial need for a waiver, you must complete a form with income and employment information, dependents status, and/or provision of tax returns. Please discuss this with our Office Manager before beginning your course of treatment, or at any time during your course of treatment should the need arise.

Is it normal to be sore after my first few treatments?

Absolutely! The evaluation process and some treatment can increase your pain. You need to know that this is actually a GOOD result. It tells you and your therapist that you are addressing the main problem. It is normal for soreness or an increase in symptoms to linger for a few days. You need to do something different for your symptoms to change, and for that you may be sore.

Keep in mind that the healing process can fluctuate. Expect good and bad days and don’t worry if your exercises, treatment or what you ate added to those bad days. We encourage you to look at the frequency and intensity of pain over time; you are looking for an overall decrease in episodes of those symptoms, with a progressive increase in your function.

How long does the healing process take?

Physiological healing for almost anything takes about 8 weeks. Of course the younger or healthier you are, it may be shorter. Conversely, the older or more medically complicated you are, it could take significantly longer.

You should begin to notice changes beginning the first month; nerve pain/symptoms usually are the last to go away as nerves take longer to heal. In our society, fast results are what everyone expects. Our bodies do not change as fast as technology! A muscle needs a good 8 weeks before good strength is gained with regular, progressive strengthening exercises. Functional changes take longer to realize, but what a difference it will make in your life.

What is the difference between a physical therapist and an occupational therapist?

Physical therapists are rehabilitation experts. They can specialize in orthopedics, neurology, cardiac rehabilitation, women’s health, geriatrics, pediatrics and a host of other specializations, depending on interest. Physical therapists’ primary objective is to restore normal functional movement patterns in people after they have sustained an injury, or had surgery, or have lost mobility or the ability to walk due to neurological insults or trauma. Physical therapists focus more on gross motor, balance and gait deficits from orthopedic or neurological problems.

Additionally, physical therapists are here to educate the public on prevention of chronic lifestyle risk factors which lead to high blood pressure, strokes, diabetes, and certain cancers, as well as obesity. Proper exercise and nutrition is the foundation to decreasing the risk factors for these, and many other diseases and illnesses. We are the experts in creating and assisting patients through their exercise programs to help them make proactive and positive changes in the prevention of many illnesses and diseases, through education and exercise. We are experts in this field.

Occupational therapists work with patients also to restore functioning and well being, by remediating limitations to independence, and by adapting for impairments or disabilities. “Occupations” are the activities we as individuals perform in the normal course of our daily lives. Occupational therapy helps us to perform our daily occupations such as: self care, work, school, driving, leisure activities, and home management. These are all examples of common occupations that we all must perform each day to be as self sufficient as we can be. Occupational therapists will implement different therapeutic activities, assistive technologies, adaptive methods, work simplification, new skill development, or splinting, in a patients treatment plan. Occupational therapists will work more on fine motor skills associated with activities of daily living.

Physical and occupational therapists can work together with a patient to achieve maximal functional outcomes for that person.

What is the difference between a physical therapist and a personal trainer?

Physical therapists’ must receive advanced degrees, a minimum now of a Masters (MS) degree, but by the year 2020 all will need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. These degrees follow rigorous courses of study including all premedical coursework, anatomy –which includes dissection of a human cadaver, physiology, neuroanatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and physical therapy classes for all orthopedics, neurological, cardiopulmonary, geriatric and pediatric coursework. They learn all major disease pathologies as patients present with medically complicated histories, as well as the latest in physical therapy treatment and research. Physical therapists must be licensed to practice and they do so by passing National Licensing Board Exams. They need to be licensed by each state they practice in.

Personal trainers receive training and certification in assisting the “well” public in meeting their exercise goals.