DIRECT ACCESS
You can visit your PT before your doctor: the law is called Direct Access. In Connecticut, Direct Access means that you can visit a physical therapist without a referral from a physician. You are not required to have a doctor’s prescription for physical therapy services for the first session; if you have one, bring it with you.
FIRST TIME VISITS
Call us and we'll get you scheduled
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We will send you forms (not too many!) to fill out on our HIPAA compliant scheduler
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We take a full medical history, and evaluate your whole body- how all the systems relate, do you meet your functional demands, all the standard stuff (rom, muscle testing) as well as special tests that are needed. We look at how all of this affects your function, and discuss your goals and what we want to achieve with therapy.
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Each evaluation will also include some time spent on treatment, because we want to send you home feeling better...and your first home exercise, at least one thing that you can do on your own to help you manage your symptoms
WORKING WITH YOUR TRAINER
Many people experiencing pain assume things hurt because they are not in shape, and start working out with a trainer. However, pain is related to dysfunction in the body, and working out with a trainer will not fix the pain. The pain will either get worse, or continue to bother you as you exercise, and it will limit you from achieving your full potential with your trainer.
Physical therapy can help reduce your pain with proper treatment. At the same time, we communicate closely with your trainer, with a team approach to maximize your benefit of working out. We love partnering with trainers, and communicate closely with them, so you can get the most out of your workout routine while still protecting your body.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to go to physical therapy in my doctor's office?
When you need physical therapy, you can choose your physical therapy provider. You do not have to go to the physical therapist in your doctor’s office. We’d like you to choose us, for our experience, expertise, and quality of care. We maintain an open line of communication with your physician from the onset and send a full written report of the initial evaluation to your doctor. We also follow up with periodic progress notes to the physician as necessary and indicated.
Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist?
Does my physical therapist communicate with my doctor?
Absolutely! We send a detailed note to your physician after your initial assessment, and then send progress notes on a regular basis.
Do you participate in insurance?
We are a boutique physical therapy practice. In order to provide the quality of care and individual attention, we prioritize time in treatment, and do not accept insurance. Payment is due at the time of service, and you will receive a bill that you can submit to your insurance company, with diagnosis and treatment codes included. We are often asked about the cost of the paying out-of-pocket vs. going where your insurance is accepted.
How often will I need to attend physical therapy?
We only see patients once per week, and our treatment sessions are each one-hour long. The frequency of once weekly is more than sufficient, and is balanced by the home program that you receive in treatment. We are available for questions between sessions, should any questions arise.
How long will my first appointment be?
Your first appointment is one hour, as is each consecutive appointment. We value your time, so we want to make the most of your trip to our office! We schedule only one patient at a time, and each session is a full hour of individual attention. This allows us to delivery multiple components in one session: manual (hand-on) therapy, targeted exercise to complement the manual therapy, as well as postural and functional components. We will work through a progression that speaks to your specific pain: laying down, sitting up, standing, walking, and moving.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
We will ask you about the history of your pain, and any relevant information. We will conduct the initial examination, and provide some initial treatment as well. Please bring your gym or comfortable clothes, and we will do the rest.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Please bring or wear comfortable clothing: we ask that you wear a tank-top for any treatment on the upper body, and elastic/flexible shorts or pants for the lower body. Please, no jeans!