What to Ask at Your First PT Appointment
1 CommentAfter receiving a referral for physical therapy, it is likely that you left the doctor’s office feeling confident that you have a diagnosis and are on your way to getting back to doing the things you love.
By Alexa Nelms, OC, Rolling Meadows
Just before you call your nearest Athletico location to schedule an appointment, you may think of a few questions that you forgot to ask your doctor. Have no fear! The staff at Athletico is here to help. Read below to discover answers to some of the most common questions.
How much does physical/occupational therapy cost?
The cost of physical therapy can vary based on the individualized treatment plan developed by your physical therapist. Insurance benefits also vary from patient to patient, but can be determined by calling your insurance company. This number can typically be found on the back of your insurance card. Once you get a hold of a customer service representative, ask about your policy’s physical therapy benefits and if the provider you have chosen is in-network.
For further clarification, feel free to ask the Office Coordinator at your Athletico clinic any additional questions. The Office Coordinator can work with you in understanding your benefits.
What should I wear?
The best thing to wear to physical therapy is loose, comfortable clothing that enables your therapist to access the injured area so it can be properly evaluated. The therapist may need to examine your skin, joints and muscles to assess your range of motion, strength, and any incisions or bruising present. Sturdy, comfortable shoes should also be worn, as it is likely during your course of care that you may be performing exercise.
What does my Physical Therapist expect from me?
Asking your therapist what he or she expects from you opens the door for a clear conversation of what your treatment plan will entail. Your physical therapist may assign a home exercise program, which are exercises that need to be performed outside of your appointment. When assigning a home exercise program, your therapist will provide guidelines for how often these exercises need to be performed.
What if I don’t do my home exercise
Performing your home exercise program as advised is an important component to achieving your goals. If you are having difficulty completing your program, discuss this with your physical therapist and develop a plan together that can help you feel better again.
What if I haven’t exercised before?
If you do not regularly workout or are simply unsure of the exercises laid out for you, you may feel hesitant about your treatment plan. If this is the case, you should ask questions and express your concerns. Athletico’s goal is to help you get better in a timely manner. Our physical therapists work hard to develop a treatment plan that is personalized for you. Although you may run into one or two exercises that may be challenging during the course of your treatment, your therapist will be there to help. It may take some coaching, but the correct program for you can only happen if you and your therapist openly communicate together.
Ask Away!
Physical therapy is a commitment, so just because you came prepared with questions to your first appointment doesn’t mean that you can’t ask questions throughout the treatment process. In the end, we are here for you to help you get better, so ask away!
Request your PT appointment at an Athletico near you.
1 Comment
Sariah Meagle
First times are often scary, and I think I should know how much the physical therapy would cost so I can prepare for future sessions without having to stress about money. I also agree that knowing what to expect such as what I should wear is also important since I’ll be doing movements to heal my broken knees. I have not been advised to do any physical activities, but knowing that I should ask what would happen if I don’t do my home exercise should convince me to make sure that I do everything to heal myself since I’m going to hospitals that offer them so I can walk normally in the future.