What is an initial evaluation?

An initial evaluation is considered your first visit as a patient of our clinic. The initial evaluation is a detailed visit with your physical therapist to determine a plan of care to best treat your condition. Often this includes a conversation about your condition, health history and goals. These visits often include stretches and exercises. Following your initial evaluation, you will work with us to schedule your next visits to help you get back to doing life better.

How often do I need to come for physical therapy or hand therapy?

This depends on your individual needs. You and your therapist will develop a treatment plan together. This usually consists of two to three visits per week depending on your condition.

What do physical therapists do?

Physical therapists are movement experts who work with patients to enhance quality of life with exercise, hands-on care and education. Physical therapists, after making a diagnosis, create personalized care plans to improve mobility, manage pain and chronic conditions, recover from an injury and prevent future injuries. Physical therapists treat people of all ages.

What do physical therapist assistants and certified occupational therapist assistants do?

Physical therapist assistants and certified occupational therapist assistants are licensed clinicians who work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists or occupational therapists. Like physical and occupational therapists, they help patients recover from injuries, regain movement and manage pain. Physical therapist assistants and certified occupational therapist assistants treat people of all ages.

Can I make a physical therapy appointment for my child?

Absolutely! We provide treatment services for pediatric therapy and can work closely with your physician, schools and early childhood intervention program. Our therapists have experience working with children of all ages.

Can I avoid surgery if I do physical therapy?

Physical therapy, for some conditions, has been found to be as effective as surgery. Consider physical therapy before undergoing expensive and invasive surgeries.

Can I avoid taking opioids or other pain killers?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges health care providers to reduce the use of opioids in favor of safe alternatives for long-term pain management. Physical therapy is a safe alternative. Physical therapy treats pain through hands-on care, movement and education.

What are the common symptoms and conditions that physical therapy and hand therapy can help with?

Physical therapy and hand therapy can help with a wide variety of symptoms and conditions including but not limited to: ankle and foot pain, arthritis and joint pain, athletic injuries, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, chronic pain, disc injuries, fall prevention and balance training, fibromyalgia, hand, wrist and elbow pain, headaches, hip and knee pain, low back and neck pain, mild stroke, nerve impingement, neurological rehabilitation, sciatica, shoulder pain, spine conditions, sprains and strains, stenosis, tendonitis, tennis or golfer’s elbow, temporomandibular joint and jaw pain, vestibular therapy, women’s health and worker’s compensation injuries.

What if I have a new injury while I’m being treated?

We are here to help! Please let your physical or hand therapist know of any other issues or new injuries. We work on the entire body, so chances are we can help you. If physical or hand therapy is an option for treating your new condition, we may modify your current plan of care to accommodate your new injury. Or we may establish a separate plan of care to address the other condition(s). We’ll work with you to determine the best path to get you better.

Why do I have to do exercises?

Physical and hand therapists’ end goal is for patients to get to the point where you can maintain on your own. In order to do that, they will push you beyond your comfort zone a little bit. Physical and hand therapists will encourage you to go beyond what you think you can do to help you get back to being independent.   Most people only go to therapy a few times each week. Stretching and strengthening exercises need to be done almost daily to get the improvement you need. Your physical or hand therapist will work with you to develop a home exercise program. And yes, therapists can tell if someone is doing their home exercises or not.

Why does physical therapy or hand therapy take longer than I had thought?

Physical therapy and hand therapy take patience and perseverance. Different injuries and tissues require certain amounts of time to repair themselves. Trying to speed up the process increases your risk for re-injury. Physical therapy and hand therapy are not a quick fix and if you want lasting results you need to see the program through to the end.

What is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy?

Physical therapy deals with the entire body and physical therapists focus on walking, balance and overall strength. Occupational therapy specializes mainly in the upper extremities, arms and hands and is very task-oriented and focuses more on fine motor skills, memory exercises and cognitive strategies. It is common for both physical therapists and occupational therapists to work with doctors, nurses, social workers, speech or recreational therapists. We have both physical therapists and occupational therapists on our staff.