Trying to decide what to do with your health can feel overwhelming at times. There is so much information on the internet available at our fingertips yet not every source is reliable. Did you try to follow the “3 exercises to do to eliminate your back pain” but had no results? Maybe you suffered an injury and you are looking for a more conservative treatment approach before jumping to surgery? Or maybe you really enjoy being active but have noticed that you aren’t able to get into a full squat like you used to and you are looking for advice on how to improve this.
Physical therapy is a great way to address acute injuries (like when you shovel snow and “throw out your back” or more persistent aches or pains from repetitive overuse). It is also a great option to prevent injuries with activities. If you are new to the idea of physical therapy, I am here to address a few common questions that can help you determine if physical therapy would be beneficial for you.
What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy is a branch of health care that focuses on movement as it relates to the musculoskeletal system. The goal of physical therapy is to optimize function while maximizing strength, mobility, and control of your body. Sometimes physical therapy is needed after a surgical intervention, like an ACL repair or a joint replacement. Other times, people choose physical therapy as a way to optimize their ability to participate in their chosen hobbies or sports. Physical therapy can be a stand-alone treatment option or it can be utilized in conjunction with other treatment types (chiropractic care, personal training, etc).
Is a Physical Therapist (PT) or Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) the same as a Personal Trainer?
No, a physical therapist and a physical therapist assistant are both different from a personal trainer. PTs graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree and then go on to earn either a Master’s Degree or Doctorate Degree in physical therapy. Upon completing their post-graduate schooling, they must sit for a national licensure exam and then apply to be licensed in the state they are practicing in. Physical therapist assistants complete a 2-year intensive program to gain an Associate’s Degree. They must also sit for a national licensure exam and then apply to be licensed in the state they are practicing in. PTAs are trained to do everything that a PT can do except for the evaluation and diagnosis process. In the state of Nebraska, both a PT and a PTA must complete 10 to 20 hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain their license. A personal training certification can be done in an online format that takes about 3 months that is available to the general public. This is not to say that personal trainers can’t also have additional education or certifications, but it isn’t always required. Personal trainers must complete continuing education in order to maintain their certification. They are not qualified to diagnose or treat injuries.
Do I need a referral or prescription from my doctor?
The short answer is no. Nebraska is a Direct Access state meaning that you are able to walk into a physical therapy clinic and have an evaluation performed without needing a referral from a medical doctor. The long answer is it depends on if you are using insurance or paying cash. Some insurance companies don’t require a doctor’s referral, while other insurance companies do. When you call to schedule an evaluation at Complete Physical Therapy, our front desk staff will call your insurance company to verify your benefits and let you know if you need a referral or not.
Do you take my insurance?
Complete Physical Therapy accepts a variety of health insurance plans. We also offer a cash pay rate of $130 per 1 hour session for those who don’t have insurance or who have a plan that we are not in network with. Give our office a call to see if we accept your plan.
What can I expect from my initial evaluation?
You will be scheduled with one of our physical therapists based on what you are coming in for. Each session (including the evaluation) is 60 minutes. Your PT will ask you questions about your symptoms, your medical history, and your current activity levels. You are encouraged to give as much information as you can so that your PT can start putting the puzzle pieces together. From there, you might be asked to do some functional movements such as going up stairs or squatting so that your therapist can see how you are moving. Your PT will also check your range of motion (how much you can move a body part with a certain movement) and how much strength you have on your affected side compared to your unaffected side. From there, your PT will talk to you about a potential diagnosis and then initiate a treatment plan aimed at restoring optimal function of the musculoskeletal system. Most often, you will leave with a select few exercises to incorporate into your daily routine until you come back for follow-up visits, which can be with your PT or a PTA.
What do I wear to my appointments? 
We encourage patients to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable! If you are someone who works out regularly, wear what you would when you go to the gym. If you aren’t someone accustomed to working out, wear looser pants or shorts if you are coming in to be seen for your leg or a looser t-shirt or tank top if you are coming in for your arm or shoulder. You may also want to wear tennis shoes as you will likely be doing light exercise. If you are coming from work and are in a skirt or dress, we do have shorts and t-shirts you can borrow if needed!