What to Expect
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is an allied health profession, which encourages optimal health and function by preventing, identifying, assessing, correcting, or alleviating acute or chronic dysfunction. The purpose of physical therapy is to assist individuals reach their maximum potential and to participate in society while learning to live within their capabilities. Physical therapist can be found in multiple settings such as in hospitals, private practice for adults or pediatrics, schools, home health agencies, nursing homes, educational or research institutions, and rehabilitation or sports facilities.
A Physical Therapist’s objective is to educate and assist individuals in regards to injury prevention, impairment, functional limitations due to injury, and/or disability. In addition a physical therapist will promote and encouraged fitness, health, and quality of life maintenance in people of all ages.
What is the difference between Occupational and Physical Therapy?
Let’s first define Occupational Therapy. An Occupational Therapist assist people to develop, recover, or maintain their ability to perform activities in their daily living and working environments. Activities of daily living may consist of community access, shopping, caring for others, financial management, communication devices, self-care such as bathing, bowel and bladder management, dressing, feeding, personal hygiene and grooming, sexual activity, and sleep/rest. An Occupation Therapist may work with individuals that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled. In addition, they can assist individuals to improve their reasoning abilities, and teach them how to cope with and compensate for permanent loss of function. Their objective is to assist individuals to have independent, productive, and fulfilling lives.
As you may see, there are many overlaps between treatment of an occupational and physical therapist. The main difference between the two is the clinical reasoning process of why, and how each type of therapist will treat an individual.
Can a Physical Therapist treat hand injuries?
There is a misconception that only certified hand therapist can treat hand patients. However, under the current practice act a physical therapist is trained and capable of performing evaluation and treatment of an individual with a hand injury.j
How do I get started?
First of all, California state law requires that a patient obtain prescription from your doctor prior to physical therapy treatment. A physical therapy consultation can be performed prior to obtaining a physical therapy evaluation, but further treatment cannot be rendered. You may contact us to set up a physical therapy consultation. Please have your insurance information available.
Does insurance cover my therapy sessions?
Most medical insurances do cover physical therapy. It is best to refer to your insurance carrier for specific information regarding your coverage. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact our facility. Determine what insurances we do accept.
What will happen on my initial session?
For the first session, it would be appreciated if you could arrive 15 minutes early to fill out new patient paperwork. This information consists of your overall medical history and your current injury status. Please bring any medical documents that pertain to this current injury. This will include your prescription from the doctor and your insurance card. If you have any x-ray or MRI results, this would also be helpful to the therapist. Lastly, wearing comfortable clothes that would allow access to the injured area may assist with treatment.
Once your paperwork is finished, a physical therapist will perform a full evaluation. An evaluation may consist of conversation regarding your injury, observation, taking range of motion and strength measurements, palpating the area and performing any necessary special tests. Upon evaluation an assessment and a specialized plan of care will be created personally for you.
What happens after my initial session?
After your initial session, you will be scheduled for any additional visits. Please note that we prefer to schedule patients two weeks in advance to allow for the patient to obtain the most optimal time for them. If you are unable to maintain these sessions please notify our staff at least 24 hours in advance. This allows us to accommodate other patients in need of appointments,
What happens on my final visit?
Upon discharge, you will be provided the option to become part of our graduate program. The graduate program assists with transitioning between an assisted rehabilitation program to an independent fitness program within a comfortable setting. See further details for the graduate program.