Common Questions
- What items do I need to obtain prior to my first visit?
- Do I need a physician referral?
- Do you take my insurance?
- What should I expect on my first visit?
- What should I wear?
- How long will each visit last?
- How many visits will it take to resolve my problem?
- Will I be treated by a licensed therapist, an assistant or aide?
- Will my therapist be capable of handling my specific problem?
- Will I work with the same therapist?
- Why did my doctor refer me to physical therapy?
- Where are you located and what are your hours of operation?
1. What items do I need to obtain prior to my first visit?
- Contact your insurance company and/or request assistance from us in contacting your insurance company to identify physical/occupational therapy benefits, current deductible, copay, and if a physician referral is required.
- Obtain a referral from your physician if required.
- Complete intake forms –click for forms–and mail to our office or bring forms to your first appointment.
- Obtain any radiological studies (i.e. MRI, X-ray, CAT scan) and bring to first appointment.
2. Do I need a physician referral?
Since 1992, the state of RI has had direct access to PT services. Direct access means a physician referral is not needed to receive PT services. After 90 calendar days, if a patient is still in treatment, they must then be referred to a physician. For more information, refer to the State Statute. Although state law does not require a physician referral for PT, some insurance companies require a physician’s referral. Please contact your insurance company regarding your policy and/or our office for further information. A referral is needed for Occupational and Speech therapy.
We participate with most insurance companies. We deal with over 300 insurance companies and, within these companies; there are a variety of plans that change yearly. Our front office staff will assist you in identifying your benefits though it is ultimately your responsibility to know your health benefits.
4. What should I expect on my first visit?
At your first visit, you should arrive with your completed paperwork, which can be downloaded here. We will ask you for your prescription if it has not already been faxed from your doctor’s office. We will make a copy of your insurance card and driver’s license. After the preliminaries are taken care of, you will be seen and evaluated by your physical or occupational therapist. During this evaluation, you will discuss any previous problems, your pain intensity, the activities that aggravate/ease your pain, how the problem limits your functioning, and your individual goals for therapy. After you provide the therapist with an understanding of your problem, an objective evaluation will be performed. This will include:
- Posture assessment – assess overall alignment and force vectors, especially as it interrelates to your complaint of pain.
- Palpation – with skilled hands, we will assess for areas of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue restrictions and abnormalities, inflammation, tissue temperature, and other indicators.
- Range of Motion – by moving the joint, the therapist will be able to assess the quality of movement and any restrictions.
- Muscle Testing – muscle contraction strength and quality will be assessed.
- Neurological Screening – by testing for touch, pain, vibration, or temperature, the therapist can check how well the nerves are communicating with your muscles. Reflexes will also be assessed.
- Special Tests – these tests can be performed to confirm or rule out any specific problems.
After determining your problems and how they correlate with one another, the therapist will develop a plan for treating the problems. This plan will be developed from the therapist’s knowledge and your ideas and thoughts. Together, you will determine the frequency and duration of treatment, the goals of treatment, your home exercise program, and the expectations after discharge. Patient education is also an important part of the plan.
Loose fitting clothes are most appropriate. For low back or lower extremity dysfunction, shorts and a loose fitting shirt are recommended. For shoulder injuries, a tank top or sleeveless shirt is helpful, but not mandatory.
6. How long will each visit last?
The initial evaluation will last for approximately 60 minutes. Follow-up treatments will last for approximately 30 minutes.
7. How many visits will it take to resolve my problem?
This depends on a number of variables such as
- Length of time you have had your condition
- Severity of the condition
- Overall health condition
- Age
- Compliance with home treatment and exercise programs.
All of these factors will determine the length of your treatment. For more specific information, talk to your therapist.
8.Will I be treated by a licensed therapist, an assistant or aide?
The aspects that are most important at PTSRI are outstanding treatment and a caring environment. To maintain our high level of care and continuity of treatment, we, at PTSRI, only employ experienced and licensed physical and occupational therapists.
9. Will my therapist be capable of handling my specific problem?
Physical therapist, as well as occupational therapists, can specialize in certain aspects of their job. Below are some specialized forms of therapy we include in our treatment:
- Orthopedic physical therapy – this type of therapy focuses on post-surgical care, arthritis, tendonitis, fractures, muscle sprain or strain, craniosacral pain, problems with the hips or knees, shoulders, elbows, and wrists.
- Manual therapy
- Geriatric physical therapy
- Sports rehabilitation
- Fitness and wellness
- Hand therapy
- Prenatal physical therapy
- Pediatric physical and occupational therapy
- Sensory integration
You will remain with the same therapist from your initial evaluation to your discharge. Consultation with other therapists may occur to utilize the diverse experience of our team.
11. Why did my doctor refer me to physical therapy?
Most likely, you were referred because you have pain associated with a movement dysfunction. Both the pain and the dysfunction are probably interfering with your activities of daily living. Physical therapy can effectively treat the dysfunction and the associated pain. By doing so, we can return your body to its normal functioning.
12. Where are you located and what are your hours of operation?