Question 1

How should I choose a physical therapy clinic?

Accepted Answer

There are many factors to consider in choosing the right clinic for you. At minimum, your therapist should hold a state license in good standing. You may also want to consider the specialty skills/experience of the therapist, clinic location, hours of availability, and cost of services.

Question 2

Can I go to any physical therapy clinic?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you have a referral for physical therapy, your physician can make recommendations, but they cannot legally require you to go to a specific clinic for PT services. Sadly, some physicians may profit financially from referring you to a PT clinic they have ownership in. They may also be pressured to refer internally if they are part of a hospital system. This can bias their recommendations for your PT referral. It's ultimately up to you to decide where you believe you will get the best care.

Question 3

Do I need a referral for physical therapy?

Accepted Answer

No. Physical therapists have direct access in the state of Ohio, which means you can see a PT without a referral. If you have needed a referral for PT in the past, it was due to a requirement set by your insurance. Not accepting insurance allows us to waive this requirement.

Question 4

How should I dress for my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Physical therapy evaluations require assessing the way your body moves. Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely the area you are seeking treatment for.

Question 5

What do I need to bring with me for my appointment?

Accepted Answer

- A photo ID
- Your preferred method of payment
- Your intake paperwork
- A list of your current medications
- Doctors' notes or imaging reports you feel might be relevant
- Your referral if you have one.

Question 6

How long will my first visit be?

Accepted Answer

Evaluation visits are typically 90 minutes. If you feel your case is more complex and will require additional time, please contact our office so we can discuss scheduling accordingly.

Question 7

How many visits will I need?

Accepted Answer

The number of visits each person may need is highly variable depending on your condition, type of treatment you need, lifestyle factors, age, and motivation. Your therapist can give you a personal estimate for your condition after your evaluation. Your therapist can give you a personal estimate for your condition after your evaluation.

We are aware that some patients have had negative experiences at other companies who see all of their patients 3 times a week for months on end. We appreciate that more visits costs more money. Out of respect for the value of your time and ours, we strive to help patients be as independent as possible in managing their condition to help them reduce the time and money spent on therapy visits.

As an added layer of protection for our patients, being a direct access practice (no referrals required) keeps our therapists accountable. States laws regarding direct access physical therapy require that a patient cannot be seen for more than 30 days, if they are not making progress, without consulting a supervising physician.

Question 8

What is the difference between physical therapy and personal training?

Accepted Answer

Physical therapy is a better option for someone who is: 
-Experiencing clinical problems like lower back pain, orthopedic injuries, or neurological problems
-Recovering from a surgical procedure or hospitalization
-Has a decreased ability to perform daily functional tasks like working, housework, or self-care (i.e. grooming/dressing)
 -Hoping to submit our bills to their insurance to get reimbursed for treatment

Personal training is a better option if: 
-You're looking to get in shape and improve general fitness 
-You're looking to train for improving athletic performance 
-You don't need any formal medical documentation of your sessions

Question 9

Can I talk to a therapist before my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our goal is to help you choose the right services for you. If you aren't sure if therapy is right for you, we are happy to discuss your specific case. Phone calls to our office are answered by a therapist directly so that you can get your questions answered.

*For your safety, the therapist may not be able to answer some questions without first doing a physical evaluation.

Question 10

I've tried physical therapy before, and it hasn't worked. Why is your company different?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, there are many reasons patients have not been successful in therapy in the past:

1.) Some patients have been rushed through the system by providers who haven't been able to take the time to really listen to all their symptoms. This can cause misdiagnosis and poorly directed treatments.
2.) Some therapists are pressured to treat patients without adequate specialty training. This can happen when a physician owns a physical therapy clinic or is part of a hospital system and is motivated to refer patients to their staff for financial reasons. It is a conflict of interest, but unfortunately, it is legal for this to occur.
3.)  It takes 10-15 years for new discoveries to make it from research to mainstream clinical care.
4.) Patients are passed around between multiple providers, and don't get one-on-one attention with a consistent therapist.
5.) Therapists are choosing their treatments based on insurance reimbursement, rather than what is best for the patient.
6.) Accepting insurance creates an illusion for some therapists that the treatment isn't costing the patient anything.

How we fix the problems:
1.) We have one hour appointments to ensure you are seen and heard.
2.) We invest in specialty training for our staff, and we will tell you if we believe you are better served by another specialist, even if it means referring you to another PT company.
2.) We are a therapist-owned company and no physician profits from referring you to our care.
3.) We offer a variety of cutting edge and innovative treatments and strive to stay up on current research developments to bring you the best care.
4.) You will always see the same physical therapist, unless you request a change in provider.
5.) We are not an insurance-based practice, so first priority is getting you the treatment you need.
6.) Because this is a cash-based practice, we are accountable to you. If you aren't getting results within the first 30 days, we will recommend a change in care plan which may involve a second opinion from a PT, a consultation with a physician or specialist, or a change in therapy approaches. If physical therapy is not benefiting you, we are willing to advocate for you to your physician to try and get you the care you need.

Frequently Asked Questions