FAQs
… ASK AWAY!
“What type of education/training do your PTs have?
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs)?
Athletic Trainers (ATs)?
Technicians?”
Doctors of Physical Therapy (all of our PTs are DPTs) have 4 years of doctorate-level education and training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (study of joint movement), neurology, and many of the other medical sciences. Our PTs have graduated from accredited physical therapy programs and are state licensed.
PTAs have 2 years of undergraduate-level education and training, earning them an Associate’s Degree. They have all graduated from accredited PTA programs and are state licensed.
Our ATs have 2 years of graduate-level education and training, earning them Masters of Athletic Training degrees. They have all graduated from accredited MAT programs, and are state licensed.
Our technicians have extensive on-site training led by our DPTs, PTAs, and ATs. They have to go through our training protocol before they are allowed to work with patients. Most often, those working as technicians are going to school in the field.
What is Physical Therapy (PT) ?
Physical therapy is a medical, hands-on approach to relieving pain and restoring function. Physical therapists are medical experts in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and work closely with physicians. Our physical therapists evaluate your movement patterns, identify the cause of your pain, and work to eliminate it. While every patient’s condition and pain is unique, your physical therapist will use a variety of gentle hands-on techniques, exercises, and equipment to relieve pain quickly and restore your function to optimum levels. The overall goal is to restore pain-free mobility and function and to prevent the injury or pain from recurring.
Does insurance cover my treatment?
Yes, in most cases it does. Our office will be happy to assist in contacting your insurance company and determining your coverage based on your individual policy. For more information, visit our insurance plan page and please do not hesitate to contact our office. We do offer different payment options for your convenience.
How do I know if PT will help me?
With our free consultations, what is there to lose? Working with you and your doctor, we can discuss your options and help determine if physical therapy will be the right choice for you. Generally speaking, the worst that can happen with physical therapy at SSPT is very slow or no progress; but in our opinion, it is almost always worth a shot over other more serious and invasive options!
How long will my therapy sessions last?
Typically, the first session lasts for 1 hour 15 minutes. Each session after that may be 45-60 minutes. The amount of time will be based on your specific needs, and your therapist will discuss this with you.
What do I wear?
Dress comfortably with clothes that allow easy access for the therapist to examine your problem areas. For treatments, loose fitting clothes that are comfortable for gentle exercises and supportive sneakers are often good choices to wear.
Will it hurt?
Physical therapy is not meant to hurt, but to relieve pain. However, as you restore your mobility, pain levels, at times can fluctuate. You might experience some temporary soreness from using muscles that are weakened or recovering. This is a normal response to therapy treatment. Good communication with your therapist will help minimize any discomfort. We want you on your way to quick pain relief and back to normal activities.
What type of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. We are happy to discuss payment plan options as well. It is our policy that payment is made at the time of service. Your insurance benefits will be determined before your second visit, and you will be informed of what, if any, payment is necessary on that date.
How many sessions will I have?
Each patient’s diagnosis is different, so together with your referring physician, your therapist will develop a plan of care that is right for you. Your plan of care and number of visits will be determined during your first visit and explained to you by your physical therapist.
“What if I don’t have insurance, or my
insurance makes the cost of my PT too high
for my budget?”
Unfortunately, this is the case for many people now days. Luckily for those in this situation, we offer a comprehensive and fully individualized cash-pay program, called our WELLNESS PROGRAM. You will receive first-class evaluation and treatment by one of our several skilled Athletic trainers, for a monthly flat-rate that is far more affordable than any other available cash-pay PT prices anywhere. Check out our WELLNESS PROGRAM, click the link below!