Good Morning Readers,

Today I am answering your questions about finding a Physical Therapist and what to look for.  This is your treatment and your recovery!

Choosing Your Physical Therapist

You are the most important member of your own health care team, and you are entitled to choose the most appropriate health care professional to meet your goals.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has provided the following guidelines for choosing a physical therapist for your care.

Know Your Rights

All 50 states and the District of Columbia allow you to contact a physical therapist without a physician’s referral. (Your insurance policy may require a visit to the primary care physician first or limit your access to preferred providers only.) Or use a Physical Therapist who works on a cash basis.

If your physician refers you for physical therapy to be provided in the physician’s office, or to a facility in which the physician has a financial interest, know that you are not obligated to receive physical therapy in any specific facility.

You have the right to choose your own physical therapist.

How to Choose a Physical Therapist

  • Use the Find a PT database to locate a physical therapist near you. You can narrow your search results by practice area. All physical therapists listed in Find a PT are members of the American Physical Therapy Association.
  • Contact the physical therapist’s clinic to determine the services offered. All physical therapists have extensive training and experience. Some PTs treat specific patient groups (pediatrics, geriatrics, sports, women’s health, etc) or practice in specific settings (home health, outpatient, etc).
  • Ask if the physical therapist’s clinic participates with your insurance company. Receiving care from a participating physical therapist should minimize your financial responsibility. Some physical therapists accept cash payments such as Integrative Therapy and Wellness, LLC in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • If referred for treatment, verify that your “physical therapy” is being delivered by a physical therapist. “Physical therapy” is treatment provided by or under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Physical therapists use the designation PT (physical therapist) and/or DPT (doctor of physical therapy).

How Do I Find a Specialist?

Many physical therapists specialize in treating specific areas of the body, such as the back, neck, knee, hand, or shoulder, or they may concentrate their practice on prenatal and postpartum care, sports injuries, stroke rehabilitation, or one of many other areas of physical therapy.

Physical therapists may also be certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) in 8 specialty areas of physical therapy: orthopedics, sports, geriatrics, pediatrics, cardiopulmonary, neurology, women’s health, and clinical electrophysiology.

Ask questions and ask more questions, talk to your doctor, look up your therapist on the APTA website:  https://www.apta.org/

At Integrative Therapy and Wellness, LLC in Phoenix, Arizona we provide the following:

In-home physical therapy evaluation and treatment

A Licensed Physical Therapist will provide an evaluation and safety assessment in your home and design a personalized treatment plan together with you. Our team will assist with your physical needs through meaningful, functional activities by ENGAGING YOU In LIFE !

Phoenix Clinic Wellness Sessions

In her Phoenix Clinic, Kim provides traditional Physical Therapy evaluations and treatment addressing problems such as: posture issues, pain, decreased mobility and stress related physical challenges. Wellness sessions include Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), and may include other modalities as needed such as: myofacial release, visceral manipulation, guided meditation, breath work, and aromatherapy. Kim is readily available for private wellness sessions in her Phoenix office. Clients that may benefit from Wellness sessions can include: • Anyone undergoing chronic or acute stress in their life. • Children with a variety of diagnosis including: ADHD, Autism, sensory processing disorder, high muscle tone from a neurological or developmental injury or delay. • People throughout the life span with pain. • Headaches, neck or back pain.

I hope this answers your questions today:  You can contact me for more information about our services in Phoenix, Arizona at kim@integrativetherapywellness.com

Have a wonderful day,

Kimberly Jacob, PT, CNDT, BCST

 


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