During your first visit, you can expect the following:

Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed (you can download it from our website; see the paperwork or forms link).

You will provide us with your referral for physical therapy if you have one. If you don't have a referral, let us know when you schedule your first visit with us (note: a referral is not always needed).

We will copy your insurance card.

You will be seen for the initial evaluation by the therapist.

The therapist will discuss the following:

• Your medical history
• Your current problems or complaints
• Pain intensity is what aggravates and eases the problem.
• how this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations.
• Your goals with physical therapy
• Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health
• The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation, which may include some of the following:

1. Palpation: touching around the area of the pain or problem. This is done to check for the presence of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, inflammation, etc.
2. Range of Motion (ROM): the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of movement and any restrictions.
3. Muscle Testing: The therapist may check for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often, muscle strength is graded. This is also part of a neurological screening.
4. Neurological Screening: The therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well.
5. Special Tests: The therapist may perform special tests to confirm or rule out the presence of additional problems.
6. Posture Assessment: The positions of joints in relation to the ideal and to each other can be evaluated.

The therapist will then formulate a list of problems you are having and how to treat those problems. A plan is subsequently developed with the patient's input. This includes how many times you should see the therapist per week, how many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short-term and long-term goals, and what is expected after discharge from therapy. This plan was created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor.

More than half of all Americans suffer from pain. Whether it is a recent episode or chronic, an ABC News/Stanford study revealed that pain in America is a serious problem. However, many do not even know that physical therapists are well equipped to not only treat pain but also its source.

Physical therapists are experts at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder, and physical therapists can help correct the disorder and relieve the pain. The physical therapists at Well Works are highly qualified to treat a range of conditions. Contact us today to schedule a physical therapy session with our compassionate staff to create a personalized session for you.

Make sure you bring your physical therapy referral (provided to you by your doctor) and your payment information. If your insurance is covering the cost of physical therapy, bring your insurance card. If you are covered by Workers' Compensation, bring your claim number and your case manager's contact information. If you are covered by auto insurance or an attorney lien, make sure you bring this information.

You should wear loose-fitting clothing to expose the area that we will be evaluating and treating. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice. For low back problems, wear a loose-fitting shirt and pants, again, so we can perform a thorough examination.

Treatment sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes per visit.

Flare-ups are not uncommon. If you have a flare-up (exacerbation), give us a call. We may suggest you come back to see us, return to your doctor, or simply modify your daily activities or exercise routine.

In most states, physical therapists cannot make a medical diagnosis. This is something that your medical doctor will provide for you.

Physical therapists are important members of your medical team. At this point in time, physicians are typically the health care providers that will provide you with a medical diagnosis.

Billing for physical therapy services is similar to what happens at your doctor's office. When you are seen for treatment, the following occurs:

1. The physical therapist bills your insurance company, Workers' Comp, or charges you based on Common Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes.
2. Those codes are transferred to a billing form that is either mailed or electronically communicated to the payer.
3. The payer processes this information and makes payments according to an agreed-upon fee schedule.
4. An explanation of benefits (EOB) is generated and sent to the patient and the physical therapy clinic with a check for payment and a balance due by the patient.
5. The patient is expected to make the payment on the balance if any.

It is important to understand that there are many small steps (beyond the outline provided above) within the process. Exceptions are common to the above example as well. At any time along the way, information may be missing, miscommunicated, or misunderstood. This can delay the payment process. While it is common for the payment process to be completed in 60 days or less, it is not uncommon for the physical therapy clinic to receive payment as long as six months after the treatment date.

Some patients will need to continue with home exercises. Some people may choose to continue with their gym exercise routine. Others will complete their rehabilitation and return to their normal daily activities. It is important that you communicate your goals to your therapist, so he or she can develop a custom program for you.

Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are licensed by their respective states.