F.A.Q.
(Frequently Asked Questions)
What is a Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who are trained in evaluating and treating a variety of diagnoses resulting from injury, disease, muscle imbalance, or inactivity.
Do I need a physician referral/prescription from a physical therapy?
Physical therapy does require a written prescription from your physician. If you do not have a physician we will be more than happy to recommend one for you. Some insurance plans do require a prior authorization from a physician.
Is physical therapy covered by insurance?
Health insurance covers most forms of physical therapy, but coverage varies with each plan. RPI is a provider for most health insurance companies. The office staff at RPI will verify insurance coverage.
What can I expect from my first physical therapy visit?
- Arrive 15 minutes early to complete insurance and registration paperwork.
- Wear comfortable clothing (shorts or sweats are suggested)
- Bring a list of your prescription and nonprescription medications.
- Bring the referral or prescription from your doctor
- Bring your insurance card.
- Expect the visit to take at least one hour.
Once papers are completed, a licensed physical therapist will take a complete history and physical and then do some specific physical tests to determine exactly what is causing your limitations. They will then formulate a plan of care that will be sent to your referring doctor.
The therapist may utilize manual therapy techniques to resolve pain. Once pain has subsided then they can begin with an exercise program to focus on strength and flexibility. The therapist may then instruct you in specific exercises designed to restore your muscle function.
You will receive a home exercise program with specific instructions (in writing with diagrams). To speed your recovery, it is important that you carefully follow the home exercise instructions and do your exercises before your next visit.
What diagnoses do you commonly treat?
We treat these and many other diagnoses:- ACL Reconstruction
- Ankle Sprains and Strains
- Carpal Tunnel Pain
- Cervical/Lumbar Herniated Disc
- Cervical/Lumbar Strain
- Fibromyalgia
- Hip Bursitis
- Joint Arthritis
- Neuropathy
- Patellar Tendonitis
- Patellofemoral Pain
- Plantar Fascitis
- Post Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
- Post operative Bunionectomy
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Shoulder Bursitis/Impingement
- Tennis Elbow
- Total Hip or Knee Replacement
- Urinary Incontinence
