Are you experiencing pain, wondering if it’s appropriate to seek physical therapy?
While the reasons people seek physical therapy (PT) services vary considerably, know that if you are experiencing pain that is keeping you from doing your usual activities and/or activities you love to do, it is absolutely appropriate to seek PT services.
If you’ve never been to physical therapy, you understandably have some questions. You might be wondering what exactly PTs do, what to expect at an appointment, and whether or not your insurance covers this service.
This article aims to answer these questions so that you feel more assured if you decide PT could benefit you.
What Are Some Reasons to Go to Physical Therapy (PT)?
If you're reading this article the chances are high that you are experiencing some kind of pain that is interfering with your life, perhaps significantly. You might be wondering if the pain is “severe” enough to seek PT services.
Physical therapists are movement experts (6). So, the answer to this question is simple… If you’re having trouble with any movement, then yes, it’s appropriate to seek PT services.
People see Physical Therapists for a variety of different reasons. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (2), below is a list of the most common reasons people seek PT services:
Low back pain
Neck pain
Arthritis in one or multiple joints
Fractures and other orthopedic conditions
Problems with mobility or balance
Chronic fatigue and weakness
Pre- and post-surgical conditioning and strengthening
Cancer recovery
Fitness and wellness education including weight loss and prevention of osteoporosis
Respiratory problems / poor cardiovascular endurance
Cardiac rehab
Knee, ankle, and foot problems
Shoulder, arm, hand, and wrist problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and shoulder tendonitis
Pre- and post-partum programs
Neuro-rehabilitation, such as post-stroke and spinal cord or head injury
Wound care such as diabetic wounds and non-healing traumatic or post-surgical wounds
Common sprains and muscle strains
Work-related injuries such as repetitive motion injuries, slip, and fall accidents, and other trauma
Sports-related injuries
What Can I Expect at a Physical Therapy Appointment?
When you go to your first appointment, the job of your physical therapist is to try to address the root cause of the problem(s) you’re experiencing. Your PT will ask you a series of questions and assess the movement of your problem area to get to the root of the issue.
Once the root problem is identified, you’ll work with your PT to identify both short and long-term goals. Whether your focus is pain relief, healing from injury, or restoring function and movement, you and your PT will work together to design a plan that fits you best (3).
After your initial consultation, most appointments with your PT will involve exercise and physical movement to work toward your goals. Additional interventions may include hands on techniques, such as dry needling, spinal manipulation, and soft-tissue mobilization. Your PT may recommend further services too, such as massage therapy or consulting your physician as part of your recovery process.
Is Physical Therapy Affordable? Is It Covered by My Insurance?
Yes. Physical Therapy is a service covered by insurance and can be looked at as primary care service (5).
Resolve Physio will work directly with your insurance provider, and depending on your insurance plan, you may just pay a simple copay as you would to see your General Practitioner.
Out-of-pocket costs for Physical Therapy cost usually anywhere from $0 to $125 dollars per session. It is Resolve Physio's goal to help you and we are able to work with any budget.
Other FAQs
Are Physical Therapists Doctors?
Yep! All of Resolve Physio's physical therapists have completed a doctoral degree. To be a physical therapist requires additional schooling and obtaining a doctoral degree, making them Doctors of Physical Therapy (7).
What Qualities Make a Good PT?
Good physical therapists always have your goals of you in mind.
Maybe you are a powerlifter suffering from injury and/or wanting to lift heavier, a parent who wants to play on the floor with your kids, or someone who used to love running, but is having knee pain…
Whatever you love to do and want to keep doing, that will be our goal as well.
What Are the Benefits of Going to Physical Therapy?
The benefits of going to Physical Therapy include reduced pain, strengthening muscles, and improved mobility. If you’re an athlete or someone who enjoys exercise, a physical therapist can help you modify and adjust workouts so that can do those activities things and assist in your healing process (4).
Most injuries and pain will heal on their own, however, if you’re experiencing a long-term issue and you’re not seeing much improvement from remedies you’ve tried on your own, speaking to a professional would likely be a major benefit to you (7).
Aches and pains, especially chronic ones, can be frustrating, discouraging, and negatively impact the quality of your life. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional and get the help you need.
How Do I Find a Physical Therapist (PT) near me?
Ready to get started with your physical therapy journey? You’re already one step closer to feeling the relief and improved function that you need.
At Resolve Physio in Grandview Heights, Ohio we are ready to help and support you!
Contact us by filling out this form, and we’ll be in touch soon.
We can’t wait to help you live your life with less pain, so that you can do more of what you love to do!