Last month in our e-mail newsletter and on our social media platforms, we invited you to “Ask the Experts” and we’re excited to address your questions about physical therapy! Make sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on all of the latest PT happenings, contests, and announcements here at Elite!
Q: What is Physical Therapy?
A: Physical Therapy is the treatment to improve mobility, relieve pain, restore physical function, and address disease or deformity.
Q: What can Physical Therapy treat?
A: The better question is… what can’t physical therapy treat? We can treat a wide variety of diagnoses. While PT is most commonly thought of for either back pain or sports injuries, some lesser known diagnoses can include headaches, vertigo, and TMJD/lockjaw. Click here for the full list of diagnoses we treat here at Elite!
Q: Do I need a referral from my doctor?
A: In most cases, no. In the state of South Carolina under “Direct Access” laws, you can be seen by a Physical Therapist for 30 days before a physician’s script is needed. But we like to get ahead by looping in your Primary Care Physician from the get-go. That way, if we need to see you past 30 days, we already have their consent to move forward!
Q: What if I’ve been referred to another facility?
A: As a patient, you have a choice in where you would like to attend therapy. If you want to come see us, let your physician know!
Q: How much does Physical Therapy cost?
A: This depends on your insurance coverage. While we accept all private and commercial insurances, we verify insurance benefits ahead of time to let you know what your financial responsibility is prior to your first appointment.
Q: Do I need to wait until the pain goes down to come in for treatment?
A: No! In fact, seeing a therapist in the midst of pain will help us better assess the situation and take action appropriately. Moreover, the sooner you are seen and treated, the faster and more effective your recovery will be.
FACT: Studies show that patients seen by a physical therapist within 2 weeks of onset of pain or injury have a 93% success rate.
Q: Can I continue working out while attending physical therapy?
A: This will all depend on what you’re being seen for and what you’re looking to do in your workout. Often, your physical therapist can make recommendations on exercises and cater your treatments to your individual goals. If maintaining an active lifestyle during physical therapy happens to be one, your physical therapist can assist you in coming up with a plan that won’t disrupt your PT progress!
Q: Should I get an MRI or X-ray first?
A: Your therapist can still evaluate you and see what’s going on. If they see a further underlying problem, your clinician can work with your doctor to determine if radiology would be appropriate.
Q: Does physical therapy hurt?
A: While the “No Pain, No Gain” mantra is often associated with physical activity, it’s not always the case with physical therapy. Depending on your diagnoses and advised treatment plan, you may deal with soreness or slight discomfort due to reactivating your muscles and joints. While this is to be expected, pain levels are monitored by your therapist throughout the course of treatment to ensure you’re not overworking your body. Keeping the lines of communication open between you and your therapist in regards to how your body is reacting will allow the therapist to better manage your treatment plan.
Were we able to answer your physical therapy questions? If not, shoot us a message and we’ll help you out!
In addition to Physical Therapy, we also offer Occupational Therapy, PT Home Visits, Massage Therapy, and Fitness & Wellness. Check out a full list of our services here.
