There are a few ways to know if physical therapy might benefit you. First, your doctor will refer you if he or she thinks physical therapy might help with an existing condition such as an injury or chronic pain. A lot of times, physical therapy will be one of the options in helping you deal with chronic pain issues. Secondly, many times you can choose to attend physical therapy yourself after an injury instead of choosing surgery.

Think of physical therapy like you would any other specialty. If you break a bone, you can let it heal on your own or you can visit an orthopedic surgeon. Physical therapy works the same way. If you sprain your ankle, you can let that injury heal on its own or make an appointment with a physical therapist to get back to normal, faster.

In most cases, your physical therapy sessions will be covered by insurance up to a certain point. This depends on the nature of your injury as well as your insurance plan. Be sure to check with your insurance provider to make sure your physical therapy sessions will be covered. You can also look to see if your plan is on our accepted insurance plans list.

You do not need a doctor’s referral to make an appointment at NMC Health Therapy & Rehabilitation, however some insurance providers might require one for coverage. For instance, patients with Medicare or Medicaid, a doctor’s referral is required. If you need help getting a referral, our patient care coordinator will assist you in doing so.

The length and duration of your physical therapy plan depends on your injury and dedication to your recovery. Most people start out by going to physical therapy two to three times per week, for a period of four to six weeks.

Your physical therapist will assess your situation and let you know what action steps to take toward recovery. Then, the two of you will work one-on-one toward your goals. Physical therapy is truly a team effort, and the amount of effort you put in will show in how quickly you recover.

Many patients choose to go to physical therapy to help relieve their pain. At NMC Health Therapy & Rehabilitation, we are focused on making sure you are comfortable and are not over-exerting yourself through your therapy program. Some of the techniques can be a little uncomfortable as the area of injury gets used to the exercises, but it should not cause pain.

The types of exercises you do during physical therapy can vary depending on your injury. Typically, your therapist will evaluate your pain and/or injury and put together a plan involving your goals. You will then work with your physical therapist doing simple exercises to build strength and endurance to reduce pain and swelling.

Some common exercises include:

• Stationary bike
• Stretching
• Pulley weights
• Strength training
• Balance exercises
• Rubber band exercises
• ASTYM, a treatment that helps heal soft tissue damage

Your therapist will let you know what exercises and therapies will work best for your recovery.

Physical therapy focuses on your whole body, including your muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and cartilage. It can also include elements of your body like your ears and eyes. When you see a physical therapist, they’ll focus on your overall strength and balance.

Occupational therapy focuses more on your fine motor skills and assisting with injuries that hinder your day-to-day tasks. Learn more about NMC Health Therapy & Rehabilitation’s occupational therapy services.

As with any doctor’s appointment, try to arrive about 20-30 minutes early to fill out your paperwork. Be sure to bring a valid driver’s license and your insurance card. You can expect to spend about 45 minutes to an hour with your therapist during your first appointment.

They’ll let you know what to expect during your physical therapy journey.

You will be mailed registration paperwork. If you require a copy of this paperwork, click here.