Although physical therapy has been around for many years, I find people are still not familiar with the profession or the MANY benefits that physical therapy can bring to one’s life. Today I want to address a few of the most common misconceptions about physical therapy so you have a better idea of what I can do for you!
1.) Physical therapists are personal trainers.
Physical therapists are NOT personal trainers. We are actually healthcare professionals with expertise in musculoskeletal and movement dysfunctions. Like many of my colleagues, I went through a three-year doctoral program to receive my exceptional training followed by a grueling board’s exam to receive my physical therapy license and to be able to treat my wonderful patients. I am not only trained to create, lead, and provide an appropriate exercise program, but I am skilled in manual therapy techniques, neuromuscular re-education, balance enhancement activities, vestibular treatment, functional training, return-to-work training, and more. I am skilled in working with all levels of medically complex patients with the goals of reducing pain/symptoms that may interfere with your life and improving your function.
2.) You need a doctor’s referral to see a physical therapist.
Physical therapists now have direct access in all 50 states, although this access is limited based on each state’s guidelines. Direct access allows patients to see a physical therapist first rather than having to see a physician or another medical provider to get a referral. This saves patients time and money navigating through the system while allowing them to receive the appropriate care earlier from physical therapists – the expert in musculoskeletal and movement dysfunctions. With the shift in physical therapy education to a doctoral program, we receive more training on differential diagnosis and inter-professional communication to ensure our patients’ safety. Rest assured we have adequate knowledge to understand when a referral to the physician is necessary or more appropriate than physical therapy treatment.
3.) You need insurance to receive physical therapy services.
Although insurance has been the traditional payment route for physical therapy services, there are many cash-based physical therapy clinics like Life Changes Physical Therapy that allow patients to be seen without insurance coverage. These practices set flat-rates for services which allows for patients to receive treatment based on the physical therapist’s expertise rather than the insurance companies limitations. While some still use their insurance benefits to pay for physical therapy services, many patients are finding they are able to receive better quality of care and more individualized treatment with the cash-pay model due to less restriction based on insurance guidelines and the ability of the clinician to see the patient one-on-one.
4.) You must have an injury to benefit from physical therapy services.
Although it is common for physical therapists to see patients after an injury or a surgery, neither of these is a prerequisite to receive or benefit from our services. Physical therapists can address all sorts of issues from wanting to initiate a new exercise routine safely to improving the ergonomic set-up of your home/office to helping people maintain function while transitioning through life milestones like pregnancy, motherhood, or aging. If you have any questions regarding if physical therapy is right for you, just ask! If your issue has to do with improving your function, wellness, or quality of life, we are likely the right professionals for you. Contact Life Changes Physical Therapy for a free consultation today!