Farmington Valley Physical Therapy

WHAT CAN A PT PROGRAM DO FOR ME?

A Physical Therapist is a specialist specifically educated and skilled in proper rehabilitation. Physical therapists are continually educated as to management for different dysfunctions, differentiation of one dysfunction/injury from another and work closely with the referring physician in the development of a rehabilitation program specifically designed for each individual patient.

The other important aspect to remember with physical therapy is that each individual is different. We all have different types of bodies, different patterns of movement, different alignments and different habits. A physical therapist, along with trained staff, monitor each individual and attempt to correct improper habits, alignments and movement patterns.

Most important with therapy is education. Your therapist specializes in this and many times will be the one to educate you on the specifics of your problem and what the course of action will be to correct it and hopefully prevent it from reoccurring. PT focuses on education, correction, and prevention.

Preparing for Your Visit with a Physical Therapist

Make a list of any questions that you have, to make the best use of your time with your physical therapist and write down any symptoms you've been having and for how long. If you have more than one symptom, begin with the one that is the most bothersome to you. For example, is your pain or symptom:

Better or worse with certain activities or movements or with certain positions, such as sitting or standing?
More noticeable at certain times of day?
Relieved or made worse by resting?

Write down key information about your medical history, even if it seems unrelated to the condition for which you are seeing the physical therapist. For example:

Make a note of any important personal information, including any recent stressful events, injuries, incidents, or environmental factors that you believe might have contributed to your condition.
Make a list of any medical conditions of your parents or siblings.

Consider taking a family member or trusted friend along to help you remember details from your own health history and to take notes about what is discussed during your visit. Make sure you can see and hear as well as possible. If you wear glasses, take them with you. If you use a hearing aid, make certain that it is working well, and wear it. Tell your physical therapist and clinic staff if you have a hard time seeing or hearing. If available, bring any lab, diagnostic, or medical reports from other health care professionals that may be related to your medical history or who have treated you for your current condition.

Bring a list of the names of your physician and other health care professionals that you would like your physical therapist to contact regarding your evaluation and your progress.

What to Expect During Your First Visit:

Come to your first appointment 10-15 minutes early to fill out some registration paperwork. These forms can also be downloaded and from FVPT's website under the "Schedule An Appointment" section if you prefer to fill out this paperwork ahead of time. Wear comfortable exercise clothing or bring a change of exercise clothes with you. You want to avoid tight or formal clothes as your therapist will likely have you engage in exercises during your first visit. Bring your insurance card and provider's referral for physical therapy if you have one so we can begin the authorization process with your health plan to make sure you are covered for our services. Plan to spend at least one hour at your first appointment. 

Your physical therapist will begin by asking you lots of questions about your health and about the specific condition for which you are seeing the physical therapist. Detailed information about you and your condition will help the physical therapist determine whether you are likely to benefit from physical therapy and which treatments are most likely to help you.

Your physical therapist will perform physical examination. Depending on your symptoms and condition, the physical therapist might evaluate your strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, posture, etc. Your physical therapist might use his or her hands to examine or "palpate" the affected area or to perform a detailed examination of the mobility of your joints, muscles, and other tissues.

The last part of your first appointment will be your first treatment session where the physical therapist will begin to guide you through your rehabilitative program.

What will my physical therapist do at my first appointment?

You first appointment is referred to as an evaluation. Your phsyical therapist will Your physical therapist also might evaluate:

How you walk (your "gait")
How you get up from a lying position or get in and out of a chair ("functional activities")
How you use your body for certain activities, such as bending and lifting ("body mechanics")

Your physical therapist might ask you specific questions about your home or work environment, your health habits and activity level, and your leisure and recreational interests so that the therapist can help you become as active and independent as possible.

Your physical therapist will work with you to determine your goals for physical therapy and will begin to develop a plan for your treatment. In most cases, the physical therapist will make a diagnosis and begin treatment almost immediately.

One of the main goals of treatment is almost always to improve or maintain your ability to do your daily tasks and activities. To reach this goal, the physical therapist may need to focus on pain, swelling, weakness, or limited motion. Your physical therapist will constantly assess your response to each treatment and will make adjustments as needed.

In most cases, an important aspect of your physical therapy treatment will be education. Your physical therapist might teach you special exercises to do at home. You might learn new and different ways to perform your activities at work and home. These new techniques can help minimize pain, lessen strain, avoid reinjury, and speed your recovery.

Your physical therapist will evaluate your need for special equipment, such as special footwear, splints, or crutches. If the evaluation indicates that you are at risk for falling, your physical therapist might recommend simple equipment to help make your home a safer place for you. The therapist will know what equipment you need and can either get it for you or tell you where you can find it. If you do need special equipment, your physical therapist can show you how to use it properly.

Your physical therapist will communicate the important information from your examination to your physician and to other health care professionals at your request.

Your physical therapist will continually recheck your progress and work with you to plan for your discharge from physical therapy when you are ready. Make sure you talk with your physical therapist about what you should do after discharge if you have questions, or if your symptoms or condition worsen.

Physical therapists are highly educated, licensed health care professionals who help patients improve or restore mobility, and in many cases helping patients reduce pain, and avoid the need for surgery and the long-term use of prescription medications and their side effects.

Physical therapists examine, evaluate, and treat patients whose conditions limit their ability to move and function in daily life. Your physical therapist's overall goal is to maintain, restore, or improve your mobility and help reduce your pain.

In most states, you can make an appointment with a physical therapist without a physician referral. Whether this is your first visit or you've been treated by a physical therapist in the past, there are things you can do to make your visit as successful as possible.

Financial Considerations

Carefully review the clinic's financial policy prior to starting care. Be sure to ask questions if anything is unclear. If the financial policy is not presented at the time of your initial appointment, request it be provided and explained prior to the initiation of treatment.
The physical therapy clinic will ask you to sign the financial agreement. Review the agreement carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear.
Applicable deductibles and copayments will be requested prior to or upon completion of each appointment. It is important to pay the proper amounts at the time of service. This will help you to better manage your health care costs and avoid a large bill at the end of care.
If the frequency of visits needs to be adjusted for financial reasons, discuss this directly with your physical therapist. In partnership with your therapist, you can explore alternatives and develop a workable plan.
If you change insurance plans or lose insurance coverage for any reason, be sure to inform your therapist as well as the clinic’s front office staff.

Keeping Your Appointments

Arrive for treatment sessions at the scheduled time or a few minutes early so you are prepared. Late arrival may affect not only your 1-on-1 time with the therapist, but that of other patients in the clinic.
Actively participate in the discussion to determine visit frequency and work in partnership with the physical therapist to achieve your treatment goals.
Show up for appointments. Failure to show for an appointment and not calling to cancel the visit may result in a fee and is disruptive to the physical therapist’s schedule. If an emergency prevents you from attending, try to provide adequate notice. It is important to review the facility’s financial and cancellation policy prior to the start of treatment.
If you plan to discontinue therapy or change the frequency of treatment because of personal or financial considerations, discuss this with your physical therapist.

You will get out of therapy what you put into it. Sufficient effort, as agreed between you and the physical therapist, is necessary to maximize benefit from each treatment session.

Observe all precautions as instructed by your physical therapist. This may include modifying an activity, reducing weight on 1 limb while walking, avoiding certain movements, or restricting use of a specific body part. Lack of compliance with treatment precautions may cause injury and result in delayed recovery.

If special devices such as splints, walkers, canes, or braces are provided for home use, follow the physical therapist’s exact instructions. Be sure to ask questions if you are unclear, as incorrect use may be harmful.

The therapist may advise physical modifications in your home such as removing throw rugs, rearranging furniture, and installing safety rails. For your safety, it's essential to comply with these recommendations.

Follow the home program as instructed by the physical therapist. Your ongoing performance and commitment to the home program is essential to your recovery.

If the instructions are unclear, ask for clarification. Only perform exercises at the therapist-specified repetition, frequency, and resistance (such as weight or resistance band color). More is not always better and may cause injury!

After your physical therapy care is completed, continue to follow the after-care instructions provided by the physical therapist.

Changing the Rehabilitation Setting

Physical therapy can occur in a variety of settings including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, at home or in an outpatient clinic. Depending on your condition and recovery, your medical team may recommend your transfer from one setting to another. For example, if you are discharged from the hospital, physical therapy treatment may be continued in an inpatient rehabilitation facility, your home, or an outpatient clinic depending on the level of care you need.

It is important that your rehabilitation be disrupted as little as possible during the change in setting. Case managers are available in most hospitals and rehabilitation centers to help ensure a smooth transition.

If you are returning home from another facility, ask the physical therapist what special equipment or family support is needed prior to the transfer.

Physical therapy has come a long way from the early nineteenth century when massage and manipulation were seen as being outside the pale of medical science, which at the time centered on drug treatment and surgical procedures. In those days physical therapy employed heat, electrical stimulation and water-based applications to aid movement and function. This practice was seen by some as exploiting the desperately ill and gullible and therefore deemed useless. It wasn't until World War II that some significant advances began to be made, but still decades passed before the profession could gain the recognition as a specialized field of medicine.

Many benefits are available to the public through the widening scope of physical therapy. The profession addresses orthopedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary and cardiac problems among infants, children adults and geriatric populations. Some of the orthopedic disorders treated are sports injuries, fractures, joint disorders, amputation, back and neck pain, arthritis and post-operative conditions. Orthopedic physical therapy takes place in a private practice, depending on the stage of the condition. Intervention involves therapeutic exercise to improve strength, range of motion and endurance, joint mobilization to reduce stiffness and modalities to relieve pain. An orthopedic patient will most likely be trained in the use of an ambulation device to help restore or enhance movement.

Neurological disorders such as strokes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury make up a great percentage of a physical therapist's caseload. A stroke patient may present with hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body), hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body) abnormal muscle tone and/or neglect of one side of the body. Physical therapy is invaluable in correcting these issues or, where necessary, in training the individual to compensate for these deficits. Interventions focus on muscle reeducation, transfers, restoring and improving gait and training in the use of mobility aids.

For children suffering from cerebral palsy, physical therapy is essential in helping to reduce spasticity and deformity, improve postural control, train the child to use assistive devices and do all that is necessary to maximize the child's functional independence. We will also educate the family so they can help carryover what the child has learned during therapy sessions.

Cardiopulmonary conditions respond well to physical therapy intervention. Patients who have difficulty performing their activities of daily living, shortness of breath and decreased endurance, can achieve markedly improved quality of life through guided exercise and resistance training. Intervention also includes counseling about risk factors, patient education to prevent future recurrence and behavior modification. For those patients who have had cardiac surgery, physical therapy is initiated early to prevent the patient from losing strength and function. Many patients, especially the elderly, become fearful after cardiac surgery. Proper training in getting in and out of bed, pushing up from a chair and walking can help the patient regain confidence and set them on the road to recovery.

op 5 Things Patients Ask Before Their First Physical Therapy Appointment

After surgery or after an accident, your physician may recommend physical therapy (PT) to help your body regain its strength and natural function. If this is your first time with PT, you may have some questions. Here, we’ve compiled some of the top questions we hear from patients when they first get started.

What should I bring to my first appointment and how should I dress?

When coming into your first appointment at one of our rehabilitation clinics, please remember to bring your ID, insurance cards/information, a list of the medications you are currently taking and your script if your doctor has not faxed it already. Please show up at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. If you’d like you can view, print, and fill out patient forms at home so you don’t have to fill them out in the office.

Additionally, if you have any recent reports from your doctor involving details from a surgery, MRI or X-Ray results you may bring those, although it is not necessary. If you are currently using a splint, sling, crutches, or any other aid, you should bring those to your appointment as well.

As for what to wear, it is important that you are comfortable. Your session may include stretches and moderate exercise, so dress as if you’re going to the gym. Suggested clothing includes:

Shoulders-tank tops or loose T-shirt to be able to expose shoulder
Knee-shorts or loose pants that can be pulled up over the knee.
If coming in work attire realize we may have you lying down and may wrinkle your attire and skirts/dresses make it difficult to get you in positions we may need to test or have you exercise in.
Appropriate footwear-for lower extremity injuries please wear athletic shoes vs sandals or high heels to perform exercises in

Will PT exercises hurt?

During PT, your therapist will stretch your muscles and may have you do exercises that cause a little discomfort – this is because they are working to increase flexibility and strength in your body. Just as after a workout, you may experience sore, tired muscles after a physical therapy session.

How long will I have to go to PT sessions?

Every PT session at Ability Rehabilitation lasts 60 minutes. Most patients benefit from visiting about three times each week.

These sessions can go on until you have reached the desired result set by you and your physician. Factors that can affect the amount of physical therapy you need include:

Physical activity level
Posture
Age
Diet
Medications
Smoking
Severity of injury

Will I regain full function after surgery with the help from PT?

Because results vary from person to person and each condition is different, we cannot guarantee 100% regainment of motion. However, physical therapy has been proven to help patients regain sufficient mobility after surgery. After that, your physical therapy plan will include exercises that target strengthening your back muscles and abdominals, which will help you regain full mobility.

What are modalities?

Modalities are used by physical therapists to aid with healing. They use heat, cold, and laser therapy to help strengthen, relax, and heal muscles.  Common modalities that your PT may use include:

Hot Packs
Cold Packs
Ultrasound
Tens Unit
Iontophoresis
Laser Therapy

Physical Therapy involves the development of a rehabilitation plan that will help promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability. Physical therapists also promote health, wellness and fitness and provide consulting education and research, according to the American Physical Therapy Association.

Can I choose what physical therapist I go to?

Absolutely! The decision of where you receive treatment is yours. If you have a specific therapist or practice you would like to go to, you should let your doctor or insurance company know this. Not all physical therapists or practices are the same and the choice of your provider is yours. Sometimes your physician will recommend a specific therapist or practice to you; sometimes your insurance company will require you to go to specific therapists or practices. You always have the right to ask for a specific provider. If we are not "in network" with your specific insurance company, many have out of network options that still provide coverage.

What should I expect during my physical therapy treatments?

Your first visit will include the initial evaluation and then a treatment. You will be instructed on therapeutic exercises, learn how to manage and care for your symptoms, receive manual therapy if necessary, and may be treated with some type of therapeutic modalities. (As well as given a specific home program, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction, etc.)

What type of treatment will I receive?

Treatment is based on the initial evaluation findings along with ongoing reassessment and evaluation. Treatment may consist of a variety of hands-on joint and soft tissue treatment techniques, exercise techniques and pain reducing modalities. Treatments are designed to increase motion and strength, reduce pain, and most importantly, restore function. Patients are typically involved in an active exercise program at home and are educated in ways to speed recovery and prevent recurrence of the problem.

What should I wear?

It is best to wear clothing and shoes that are appropriate for exercise. The clothing should either expose the area (i.e. wear shorts if you are being seen for a knee problem) or be loose fitting to easily expose the area that is being treated. You may be asked to put on a gown depending on where your pain or problem is located.

How many treatments will I need?

Our average number of treatments is 6, but this can vary depending on the extent and type of injury that is being treated.

What is Physical Therapy? Is it like Massage Therapy or Chiropractic Care?

In reference to massage therapy, a PT can and will often administer massage-like techniques called soft tissue mobilization, but massage therapists cannot administer PT. The PT you receive therefore may include soft tissue mobilization but will include much more education, exercise and the use of other modalities.

Chiropractic care differs quite a bit in the sense that a Chiropractor relies heavily on performing joint manipulations. Chiropractors typically will see a patient for much longer than a physical therapist for continued joint manipulations or "adjustments" whereas a physical therapist will rehab the injury or painful area and then instruct the patient in a Home Exercise Program for continued care. A physical therapist with specialized training can effectively perform many of the physical adjustments that a Chiropractor utilizes.

How can Physical Therapy help back pain?

Physical Therapy helps control back pain by reducing pain, controlling swelling and through therapeutic exercises. Patient education such as home exercises and lifting techniques also play a large role is assisting the patient in controlling low back pain.

I just had orthopedic surgery; will physical therapy help me heal faster?

Of Course! Physical Therapy can help reduce swelling, increase active and passive range of motion and increase strength and endurance after orthopedic surgery. Most importantly, attending physical therapy increases the functioning of the involved muscles, bones and other soft tissues much more quickly and effectively than just "staying at home" after surgery.

How do I know that physical therapy can help me?

Physical therapy can help anyone who is suffering from musculoskeletal injuries, recovering from surgeries or other difficulties such as balance/walking problems, or neurological problems such as stroke and acquired brain injuries. Even people recovering from non-orthopedic surgeries (internal problems, cancer) can benefit from PT by regaining strength and endurance. The realm of physical therapy is huge and encompasses the whole body and its functioning. To learn how PT can specifically help your condition, make an appointment with any of our locations for a Free Assessment.

Do I need a referral to come to physical therapy?

In the state of Iowa, a referral from a physician is not required to receive a physical therapy evaluation or treatment. Some exceptions do occur. Medicare always requires a referral to obtain physical therapy services. This referral may come from a physician, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, a dentist or a podiatrist. In addition, some insurance companies require a referral to provide insurance coverage. You should call your insurance company to determine whether or not you are required to have a referral for coverage.

What does a physical therapist do?

Physical therapists are experts trained in the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction. They are trained specifically to improve movement and function, relieve pain, and expand movement potential. Physical therapy is often the treatment of choice in situations where pain impairs function, in recovering from an injury or surgery, and in recovering from a disease process or illness. Physical therapists also teach adaptive and physical coping skills in dealing with impaired function from a disease, injury or illness.

Will my insurance cover physical therapy?

Most insurance companies do cover physical therapy services. The amount and type of coverage varies. It is always best to check with your insurance company regarding specific coverage guidelines. The staff at each location will also verify your specific coverage guidelines at your first visit. If you do not wish to utilize your insurance, you may choose our private pay plan. We accept checks, VISA and MasterCard.

As a patient, what can I do to assure the best possible outcome?

First, recognize that you play the most important role in your own recovery. We encourage patients to act as full partners with their therapist in the treatment process. Comply with your in-clinic therapy schedule; follow through on your home exercise programs; and communicate often and completely with your therapist regarding any problems or concerns you may experience. Physical therapy is an active process that requires your full commitment and interaction with your therapist. Ask questions and be receptive to suggestions regarding exercise, lifestyle changes and adjustments or modifications of your daily activities.

Why should I go to physical therapy, can't I get better on my own?

1. Physical therapists are trained to identify the movement dysfunction and compensation changes related to your diagnosis.
2. We rehabilitate an injury with the correct movement patterns in place of faulty habits.
3. We educate you about what your injury does to your body and how to correct it
4. We teach you how to prevent further injuries

Although the use of certain techniques of physical therapy goes back to ancient times, the modern profession of physical therapy developed in the twentieth century, in the wake of World War I. The very first modern American physical therapists were trained to work with soldiers returning from the war, and several groups of “reconstruction aides,” as they were then called, actually were sent to military hospitals in France to institute early rehabilitation with wounded veterans.

Today’s physical therapist is a direct descendant of these brave women (and a few men). Physical therapists now practice in a wide variety of settings. Many people are familiar with physical therapists’ work helping patients with orthopedic problems, such as low back pain or knee surgeries, to reduce pain and regain function. Others may be aware of the treatment that physical therapists provide to assist patients recovering from a stroke in learning to use their limbs and walk again.

You’ve booked your first physical therapy appointment, and you’re pumped about taking your initial step toward recovery. Still, you’re troubled by the age-old question: “But what do I wear?”

To ensure comfort during therapy, you should wear loose-fitting clothing. Comfortable clothes that allow plenty of room for movement are ideal for your first—and any subsequent—appointments. As for footwear, good supportive shoes—like athletic sneakers—are ideal. Heels, sandals, or dress shoes are a no-no.

Heading to your physical therapy appointment from work? No problem. The clinic or office will provide an area for you to change into your comfortable clothing.

The physical therapist will need visibility of the part of the body he or she is treating. You will want to consider this when you are planning for your visit. For example, if you are coming in for treatment on the knee or leg, you’ll want to wear or bring shorts. If you have longer hair, pulling it up off your neck will allow the therapist to better treat neck alignment issues.

For sports and running assessments, it’s best to wear workout clothes. You also should try to wear the same shoes you normally would wear to run or play sports. That way, you’ll get the most accurate assessment possible.

Are you participating in aquatic therapy? Bring a modest swimsuit, a towel, a cover-up, and flip-flops.

So, as you decide on your first-day-of-therapy outfit, range of motion, visibility of the affected area, and all-around comfort are the key factors you’ll want to consider. Wearing the appropriate clothing will allow your therapist to focus on you—and that, in turn, allows you to focus on getting better.

What are you wearing to physical therapy? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.