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ANSWERS TO YOUR THERAPY QUESTIONS
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions
regarding Physical & Occupational/Hand Therapy.
Should you have questions not addressed below feel free
to contact one of our clinics.
What should I expect on
my first visit?
On your first visit, your physical or
occupational/hand therapist will perform an evaluation
to determine what deficits and/or problems you have that
can be addressed in physical or occupational/hand therapy.
The evaluation involves a thorough history followed by
objective testing and measuring from which your physical
or occupational/hand therapist will form an opinion on
your condition and the appropriateness of therapy. A treatment
program will be developed aimed at resolving the problems
identified as well as to attain the goals set by the physical
or occupational/hand therapist in conjunction with you
and your physician.
What types of treatment
may I receive?
The treatment you receive in physical
or occupational/hand therapy will depend upon what the
physical or occupational/hand therapist finds in the evaluation.
Our treatment programs are functionally oriented with
a non-dependent therapeutic approach. We emphasize mobilization,
self-treatment, and therapeutic exercise to go right to
the structure and resolve the problem. We do not stress
"feel good" modalities, such as massage, ultrasound,
heat, electrical stimulation, etc., which do little to
address the underlying pathology and can cause patient
dependence. We do utilize modalities as needed to assist
us with anti-inflammatory effects, etc.in the acute phase
of injury.
How long will my visit last?
Treatment time will vary according to
what the physical or occupational/hand therapist finds
in the evaluation. There is no specific time limit for
physical or occupational therapy. Whatever is found to
be appropriate during the evaluation will become part
of the patient's program and the program will be updated
as appropriate as the patient improves. In general, physical
or occupational/hand therapy treatments last anywhere
from 1/2 hour to 1 1/2 hour with somewhat longer time
being necessary for this first visit because of the evaluation.
How is my progress measured?
Your physical or occupational/hand 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.
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, your therapist
will write a weekly progress note to update your physician,
and patients are re-evaluated anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.
Additionally, the therapist always needs to be aware of
follow-up visits with your physician as a re-evaluation
will be performed so that the physician can be updated
at that time.
How will you communicate
with my physician?
The physical or occupational/hand therapist
will communicate with you physician most commonly by written
report. The physical or occupational/hand 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
or occupational/hand therapist will continue to update
your physician with written reports each time you are
re-evaluated and most specifically prior to your return
to the physician. This is why it is so important that
you let your therapist know 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 or occupational/hand therapist
will send a follow- up report to your physician with final
information as to your status at the time of discharge
from physical or occupational/hand therapy.
Will I need follow-up or
maintenance care?
Our goal at Innovative Physical &
Occupational Therapy is to resolve your problem completely
so that you do not require continual follow-up or maintenance
care. There are some patients who do require follow-up
care or re-assessment on a periodic basis, but that will
be discussed with you once you are in physical or occupational/hand
therapy or at discharge. This is generally not the case.
What if I need to return
to physical or occupational/hand therapy?
If you have a recurrent problem after
your discharge from physical or occupational/hand therapy,
how/if you will return to physical or occupational/hand
therapy will depend on a number of factors. It would depend
if it was a re-injury of the same specific problem, how
long it has been since you were last in physical or occupational/hand
therapy, how long it's been since you saw the physician,
and many other factors. In general, if you are discharged
from physical or occupational/hand therapy and feel the
need to return, you should contact the physical or occupational/hand
therapist who treated you. They will review your chart
and call back to discuss with you what should be done,
depending on the problem you are having.
When is the best time to
start physical or occupational/hand therapy?
In general starting physical or occupational/hand
therapy should be done as early as possible. Initiating
physical or occupational/hand 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 or occupational/hand therapy
depends on the clinical stage of your condition, not just
the diagnosis. Therefore, your care will be modified according
to the signs and symptoms during the acute, subacute,
and chronic phases of your problem.
Is it OK to ask my doctor
about physical or occupational/hand therapy?
Absolutely. If you have a problem that
you think can be helped with physical or occupational/hand
therapy, feel free to give us a call. After discussing
with you the specific problem you present with, we can
give you a better idea if it is something that is treatable
with physical or occupational/hand therapy. You can also
give your doctor a call. If he is not sure, he is welcome
to contact us as well. In today's healthcare, if you feel
physical or occupational/hand therapy can be helpful to
you, you will need to stress your feelings to the doctor
you are seeing. Print a prescription and take it to your
Physician.
Will my insurance cover
physical or occupational/hand therapy?
Because of today's health care and the
wide variety plans available, although most insurance
companies do cover physical or occupational/hand therapy,
what they cover specifically varies greatly. Please review
our insurance
participation section on this web site and if you
have additional questions regarding your specific insurance
give us a call.
How do I arrange an appointment?
If your physician gives you a referral
to physical or occupational/hand therapy, simply call
our office for an appointment. Our clinic hours and location
are explained on the location
and hours page of this website. Our office staff will
get all the necessary information from you and assist
you with an appointment
What should I wear?
In general, wear comfortable clothing
to physical or occupational/hand therapy. If you are presenting
with a problem of your cervical spine, upper back or shoulders,
the therapist can provide you with a gown as needed to
expose these areas for treatment. If you are coming for
a lower extremity problem, shorts are important. You can
bring whatever you like to wear with you if you need to
change here.
What should I bring with
me?
For your first visit you will need your
insurance card, any paperwork that was sent to you that
needed to be filled out. If you have any operative reports,
MRI or X-ray results, you may bring those as well, but
they are not necessary. Additionally, if you are utilizing
any type of brace, splint, or crutches, those should come
with you.
What if I have an increase
in symptoms?
If you have increased symptoms please
call your physical or occupational/hand therapist. When
you call the office, please 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. They will be able to review the information
and will give you a call back that same day. After we
discuss the case with you, we will be able to give you
guidelines as to what would be appropriate to reduce your
symptoms, whether you need to come in our office, or if
you should contact or follow-up with your physician. It
is best to call us prior to calling your physician as
if a change in symptoms has occurred, it is important
that we fax the physician a report so that he can be up
to date on your care when you see him for a follow- up
visit.
Who chooses which physical
or occupational/hand therapist I go to?
Often 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.
Ultimately, however, the decision as to where you receive
your care is up to you. If you have a specific request,
you need to let your physician or insurance company
know. If we are not in network for your insurance company
most plans have out of network benefits which will allow
you your choice in physical or occupational/hand therapy.
What office policies should
I be aware of?
We ask that our patients: Give 24 hours
notice when possible for cancellations; the answering
machine is on 24 hours a day. Call if you have a question
or a concern or if you will be late. We will do our best
to fit you in but need to know in advance for consideration
of other patients. Be on time. All patients are taken
within 5 minutes of their scheduled time. Notify your
physical or occupational/hand therapist at least one week
prior to returning to your physician. The therapist must
have this date in order to properly schedule a re-evaluation
for you to update your physician on your progress. Schedule
appointments in advance and have the proper number of
visits scheduled. If you don't schedule your appointments
in advance it will be more difficult to give you the times
that you desire.
What is my responsibility
in physical or occupational/hand therapy?
You are our partner in your recovery.
Your physical therapist cannot do it without you! We ask
that all patients cooperate by following through with
their home exercise programs and instructions as this
is extremely important in expediting your recovery.
Why choose Innovative
Physical Therapy &
Sports Medicine Centers ?
Because of our expertise and commitment.
Innovative Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
Centers is widely regarded as a leading
expert in physical or occupational/hand therapy. Physicians
regularly send their own office staff and family members
to our facility. Innovative Physical Therapy & Sports
Medicine Centers is dedicated to resolving your problems
in an environment that is welcoming and relaxed. Patients
receive personalized care, not an assembly line atmosphere.
If you are still not sure, feel free to give us a call
and stop in to speak to one of our therapists.
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