AmeriCare Physical Therapy

While a prescription for physical therapy is not required in some states, certain insurance providers will not pay for physical therapy services without a valid prescription from a physician. If you do not have a prescription, we can schedule an evaluation to determine your need for physical therapy treatment and contact your physician to request a prescription if needed. Our staff can help you determine your insurance carriers requirements.

Our Physical Therapists are able to help with these following issues: Orthopedic Care Spinal Conditions Sports Injuries Joint Replacements Vertigo Jaw Pain (TMJ) Concussion Pelvic Floor

All fifty states have some form of direct access. In most cases, if you are not making significant improvement within 30 days, the therapist will refer you to/back to your physician. Seeing a physical therapist first is safe and could save you hundreds of dollars or even thousands of dollars.

Once you have completed your therapy sessions, your therapist will review your continuing home program. If needed, we can make arrangements to meet you at your gym to work with you on determining what equipment may be beneficial, and what exercises would be helpful in your continued recovery and to prevent further problems from arising. Monthly or bi-monthly manual therapy maintenance programs are also available.

?Many patients may go weeks, months or years before their symptoms return. It is our duty to provide you with the techniques and self-management exercises to manage your symptoms independently throughout your time at physical therapy. In the instance that your symptoms do return, we offer a 15-minute consultation to discuss your symptoms and concerns to determine if returning to physical therapy is the right option for you.

Physical therapy has been found to be just as effective as surgical treatments in the treatment of a wide range of conditions.

Physical therapists understand movement of the musculoskeletal system and the general body, helping patients with treatment plans to improve their function and mobility, reduce pain, and prevent injury.

Some conditions that physical therapists commonly treat include spinal conditions, sports injuries, joint replacements, vertigo, jaw pain, and concussions.

Physical therapy can help in a number of ways. It can help patients prevent or recover from a sports injury, work on balance to prevent slips or falls, recover after giving birth, and more. The realm of physical therapy is huge and encompasses the whole body and its functioning. Your physical therapist can: - Improve mobility and strength; - Provide an alternative to surgery; - Manage or eliminate pain without medication.

Physical therapy is not a quick fix. Americans in general are notorious for looking for that quick fix. PT follows the way our anatomy and bodies operate. Theres a certain amount of time that is required for certain types of tissue in the body to repair themselves. If you try to speed up the process, you could experience a re-injury. So physical therapy takes some patience and perseverance, and youve got to keep up with the program to experience the gains. Physical recovery happens in stages, and you have to be present for the whole program, from beginning to end, if you want lasting results.

With the aging process, seniors dont heal as quickly as someone younger. But at the same time, I still think seniors are not a population of people who should be discounted. I dont want people to say, Youre 90, who cares? You look at the individual, what their life is like, how active they are and their motivation. You may not be as aggressive with some of the modalities and exercises for seniors, but you continue to treat them like you would anyone else.

The responsibility for improvement falls on the individual, too. Stretching and strengthening exercises have to be done almost daily. Youre not going to get the progress or improvement you need just relying on going to your therapy visits, so you have to do exercises at home, too. We can tell if someone is being good about doing his or her home exercise program or not.

Physical therapists sometimes push people beyond their limit or comfort zone a little bit, encouraging them to go beyond what they think they can do. We try to look at things objectively and implement different tests with patients. We try to empower people to kind of fix themselves as we dont want them to have to keep coming back. Ultimately, were trying to get people to a point where they can maintain themselves and do their exercises at home or at the gym and go on with their lives. We push people so they can be independent and not reliant on us, medication or other treatments.

Physical therapy can restore normal function in affected areas of the body. Physical therapists are movement specialists, so if you are experiencing a decreased ability to do what you love, PT can be the best place to start. We help figure out why you have pain when you do certain exercises and restore the restricted motion, so you no longer have pain.

The realm of physical therapy is huge and encompasses the whole body and its functioning. Your physical therapist can: Improve mobility and strength Provide an alternative to surgery Manage or eliminate pain without medication

We often dont know when we are unable to move in a certain way because our bodies compensate for the restricted range of motion. These multiple compensations can cause even an everyday athlete to experience pain. The more active someone is, the easier it is for them to compensate, so it can be hard for athletes to understand why they have pain.

It depends on the severity of the issue, how long youve dealt with the pain, how consistent you are with coming to sessions and doing your home exercises. The better we all communicate, the quicker we can progress you through your exercises. You should see some change within the first few sessions and more significant differences in the first two weeks. In general, patients can expect results in 3 to 4 weeks or 10 to 12 sessions.

Massage therapy and chiropractic care are good options, but physical therapists utilize different techniques to restore the normal motion and provide solutions for long-lasting relief. Integrated Rehab also provides a high level of patient education to instruct our patients how to identify dysfunction in themselves and improve overall well-being. Everybody wants a massage, but its a passive activity. Think of PT as a lifetime investment to make sure your body is moving the way it should.

The sooner you see a physical therapist, the sooner you can get back to normal activity. The longer you wait to deal with the pain, the harder it can be for us to get you healthy again. If were not able to reduce the pain, we can refer you to the appropriate places. One of the goals of our treatment is to prevent the pain before it happens.

A sports therapist can help an athlete maximize their performance by strengthening specific parts of the body and using muscles in new ways. A physical therapist or other healthcare professional can advise individuals about the benefits specific to their personal medical history and their need for treatment.

A physical therapist helps take care of patients in all phases of healing, from initial diagnosis to restorative and preventive stages of recovery. Physical therapy may be a standalone option, or it may support other treatments. Some patients are referred to a physical therapist by a doctor, while others seek therapy themselves.

The time needed for physical therapy depends on your condition and goals. A physical therapist typically coordinates with your referring doctor to ensure they agree on a recommended treatment plan. You may need approval from a physical therapist before resuming certain activities.

Physical therapists can specialize in different focus areas, including: Oncology (Cancer) Cardiovascular (heart) and pulmonology (lungs) Geriatrics (elderly health) Orthopedics (bone, joint, and spinal issues) Neurology (brain health) Sports Clinical electrophysiology Pediatrics (childrens health)

Your Physical Therapist can do these for you: Diagnose your condition and ability to function by observing you standing, walking around, and performing tasks Listen to your concerns Develop an individualized care plan built around their observations of your condition, the goals you want to achieve, and your expected outcomes Use therapeutic aids, such as electrical stimulation machines or kinesthetic tape Document your progress Assist you in using supportive devices like a crutch or cane Create and execute plans to discharge you from care when appropriate

The goal is to restore functionality by improving movement and increasing motion range in specific body areas. Continuous physical therapy treatment can reduce your current or future need for prescription drugs or surgery or more physical therapy.

Physical therapists typically receive referrals from doctors and other professionals. They usually start by performing a physical examination to gain a better understanding of your issue. From there, they may use a combination of the following as part of your treatment plan: Exercising Stretching Using different equipment Other hands-on techniques

They may help you manage illnesses or injuries to your: Musculoskeletal system (bones and muscles) Neurological systems (brain) Cardiopulmonary system (heart and lungs) Integumentary system (skin) Physical therapists help people of all ages and at different life stages. Some people visit a physical therapist for advice on becoming healthier and how to prevent future problems from occurring.

Therapeutic exercises and manual therapy techniques such as joint and soft tissue mobilization or treatments such as ultrasound, taping or electrical stimulation can help relieve pain and restore muscle and joint function to reduce pain. Such therapies can also prevent pain from returning.

Your physical therapist will help by increasing range of motion, strength, and mobility. The rehabilitation will also be focused on helping reduce pain associated with your surgical procedure.

Women have specific health concerns, such as with pregnancy and post-partum care. Physical therapists can offer specialized management of issues related to womens health. Additionally, PT can provide specialized treatment for: Bowel incontinence, breast cancer, constipation, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, male pelvic health, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence.

As individuals age, they may develop arthritis or osteoporosis or need a joint replacement. Physical therapists are experts in helping patients recover from joint replacement, and manage arthritic or osteoporotic conditions conservatively.

Physical therapists understand how different sports can increase your risk for specific types of injuries (such as stress fractures for distance runners). They can design appropriate recovery or prevention exercise programs for you to ensure a safe return to your sport.

Physical therapy is also an asset when youre dealing with heart and lung problems. After something like a heart attack, physical therapy is used to help you get back into your normal activities, without putting too much stress on your body.

Sometimes, surgery is unavoidable. In some conditions, however, using physical therapy can prevent the need for invasive surgical procedures. This is because regular therapy will lessen your pain and improve your overall health. It also helps to facilitate the healing of your injured tissues, leading to better mobility.

After a stroke, you may lose some mobility in part of your body. Physical therapy helps you to regain strength in the affected area, along with improving your overall ability to perform daily tasks, which can lighten the burden after a stroke.

Diabetes is a complex disease that can also involve your vascular system. A therapist will make an individualized plan for your condition. This can help to manage your blood sugar with a mix of diet and exercise such as aerobic training and strength training.

Finding a suitable physical therapist can involve a number of factors, including insurance acceptance, specialty and reason for treatment, and geographical location. Insurance companies often have lists of physical therapy locations that participate in specific health plans. Other healthcare professionals may have a list of therapists in the area whom they recommend. You can also find PTs with Americare Physical Therapy.

Yes, they do. They give a massage known as a deep tissue massage, which targets muscle tension caused by sprains and strains.

Patients can generally expect physical therapy sessions to last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on their progress and the exact injury.

It depends on your program; some people benefit from daily physical therapy, while others should take a more relaxed approach.

Sleeping on your back or on your side are the best ways to get a good nights sleep when you have neck pain. Just make sure to have a pillow that will support the curve of your neck as you lie down.

Yes, massaging can help ease some of the tension that is causing tightness or stiffness in your neck. Although you can massage by yourself at home, we recommend going to a professional to avoid any mistakes

One of the best ways to manage low back pain is to ice the injured area to reduce inflammation. If you feel muscle stiffness, you can apply a heating pad as necessary. You can also do some light stretches that can help loosen the muscles.

A physical therapist may initially recommend three visits per week and they will adjust the frequency of sessions depending on your improvements.

A physical therapist helps you improve your movement, while an occupational therapist usually helps you perform daily tasks more easily.

Yes, physical therapists can help you correct bad posture by doing exercises that can help strengthen your muscles. They can also teach you the proper way to sit and stand.

In most cases, early intervention of physical therapy can help prevent the need for surgery or long-term medication to treat certain conditions.

Once you have been evaluated, the treatment plan will involve challenging your balance systems within a controlled environment. Fall prevention techniques will be practiced and discussed. There are various reasons for balance problems and falls. Other medical causes will be examined in conjunction with your doctor.

Your physical therapist can provide an exercise program that targets the primary muscle groups affected by your condition. Increased muscle strength and flexibility will lead to a shorter and more successful surgical outcome.

Once your physical therapist assesses your pain, they can teach you about stretching, posture, and proper work space ergonomics for long-term neck and shoulder health.

Your physical therapist can decrease the tension in your neck and shoulders with manual therapy, modalities, and soft tissue mobilization.

Physical therapy can help anyone who is suffering from musculoskeletal injuries, recovering from surgeries, or other difficulties such as balance/walking problems, or neurological problems such as stroke and acquired brain injuries. Even people recovering from non-orthopedic surgeries (internal problems, cancer) can benefit from physical therapy by regaining strength and endurance.

It can be treated through modalities, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise. Each of these will be focused on decreasing pain and inflammation.

A thorough evaluation will be performed by your physical therapist to determine the cause of the pain. A common condition called plantar fasciitis is a possibility. Your footwear and walking pattern will be evaluated. Appropriate interventions including flexibility and strengthening exercises will be provided. Your physical therapist may discuss other options such as orthotics.

Our physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for you that will help you heal quickly so you can return to your previous level of fitness.

You should expect to move throughout your treatment, so we recommend bringing comfy clothes and supportive shoes

During your first visit, a thorough interview, evaluation and examination will be performed. This can include various manual techniques, exercises, movement analyses and general education to assist with self-management techniques.

After your evaluation, your therapist will determine the number of times you will need to be seen. The extent and seriousness of your injury will be a primary consideration for determining the amount of treatment you will need.

The length of any specific exercise program depends on the stage of your injury and the overall health of your connective tissue. It is important to remember that repair takes up to one year. Most of our clients progress to an independent home exercise program that they continue to do 1-2 times per week after finishing therapy in the clinic. Remember that being out of pain is only the first step to your complete recovery.

You may be referred to physical therapy because of a movement dysfunction associated with pain. Your difficulty with moving part(s) of your body may result in limitations with your daily activities like difficulty getting out of a chair, an inability to play sports, or trouble with walking. Physical therapists treat these movement dysfunctions and their associated pains and restore your body's ability to move in a normal manner.

Ultrasound and hot packs are thermal agents that increase inflammation. While they may temporarily decrease pain they can ultimately weaken connective tissue, which increases risk of re-injury. We use microcurrent and S.T.E.P. exercises to increase circulation and decrease pain.

Massage may be part of your treatment. Rehabilitation specialists are trained in a variety of techniques that may help with your recovery. Deep tissue techniques may be part of the rehabilitative process. Massage is used for three reasons typically - to facilitate venous return from a swollen area, to relax a tight muscle, or to relieve pain. Contrary to common thought, massage does not increase circulation.

Medical doctors, chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, nurse practitioners, acupuncturists and osteopathic doctors can refer you for physical therapy. Due to our special training you can also refer yourself without a doctor’s prescription.

Yes, physical therapy is effective in conjunction with treatment provided by other providers. We believe in communicating and working closely with your other providers to optimize your recovery.

Your physical therapist will carefully evaluate the extent and nature of your injury, as well as your ability and desire to exercise. We will then prescribe a specific rehabilitation exercise program for you until you have recovered from your injury. However, if we think continuing your regular exercise program would be beneficial, we will encourage you to continue.

Your treatment plan is dependent on what is found upon evaluation by the physical therapist. Treatment plans can vary from 1x/week to 3x/week but the typical frequency would be 2 – 3x/week for 45 minute sessions.

In some cases, Physical Therapy techniques can be painful. For example, recovering range of motion after a replcaement or a surgery may hurt. Your Physical Therapist will utilize a variety of techniques to help maximize your treatment goals. It is important that you communicate the intensity, frequency, and duration of pain to your Therapist. Without this information, it is difficult for the Physical Therapist to adjust your treatment plan.

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

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 physician will provide for you. While physical therapists are important members of your medical team, physicians are typically the healthcare providers that will provide you with a medical diagnosis.

Physical therapy deals with the entire body, anywhere from the inner ear and vision to the arms and legs, while occupational therapy specializes a little more in the upper extremities, arms and hands. Often PTs and OTs collaborate with others on a therapy team.

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.

You can prevent knee injuries by avoiding sudden stops or changes in direction when running, learning how to land properly when jumping, and strengthening the muscles that support your knees.

After you're finished with physical therapy, remember to continue your home exercise program. Your therapist will give you a list of exercises that can be done at home and how often they need to be repeated.

Before physical therapy, it's best to have a complete medical history and exam. This will help the therapist determine what kind of treatment is needed. It also helps them know if you are at risk for any complications during your recovery process.

There is no specific equipment to bring during your physical therapy session. You may want to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, but we do not require any special attire or footwear.

Physical therapists can help with concussions by creating a structured, personalized neck strengthening and core strengthening program. This program will lessen the risk of concussions.

You can strengthen your neck muscles by performing a variety of exercises. The most important thing to remember is that you should not strain or pull on the muscle, but rather gently stretch it and hold it for 10 seconds before releasing the stretch.

It's time to visit a physical therapist if you have pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints that lasts longer than three weeks. You may also visit a physical therapist if you need help with balance, walking, and getting around without assistance.

Yes, you can do all the same movements that are prescribed to you by your doctor. However, it is important for you to be aware of what type of exercise will help and which ones may not.

The length of a session depends on the type and severity of your injury. Most patients will be seen for an initial evaluation and need to come back in one or two weeks for further treatment.

During Telehealth physical therapy, you will be connected to a remote therapist via video conferencing software. The patient and their doctor can see each other on screen as they communicate through text chat or voice call.

Studies have found that after 7 weeks of physical therapy, success rates for patients were nearly 70% for manual therapy.

Yes, it's possible to do too much physical therapy. If you feel muscle failure or too much muscle soreness, you might want to ease up on physical therapy.

Physical therapy might stop if the patient isn't seeing results or making progress within the time-frame their physical therapist thinks they should be.

If patients feel sore after sessions, and can gradually feel recovery in the area over time, then physical therapy is successful for them.

While short-term pain may seem significant, patients can expect more pain by ignoring injuries and prolonging discomfort instead of going to physical therapy.

Being sore after physical therapy is a good sign, because it means that your muscles and body are being stressed positively.

No, physical therapy shouldn't really hurt. It can be challenging moving your body in ways you might not be used to, but none of the pain experienced during treatment should be too bad.

Yes, physical therapy is effective in conjunction with treatment provided by other care providers such as a chiropractor.

Yes, physical therapy is a great solution for increasing flexibility and mobility, and keeping your joints moving to their fullest capacity.

Not all physical therapists are doctors. PTs who have a Doctorate degree are considered Doctor of Physical Therapy. Some PTs only have a Bachelor’s degree, while others have a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy.

Common therapy techniques used by physical therapists include: 1) Therapeutic exercises; 2) Manual Therapy; 3) Ice and Heat Therapy; 4) Soft Tissue Mobilization; 5) Electrical Stimulation

After an injury, your activity level may initially need to be modified. A good rule of thumb is to increase your activity level gradually under the supervision of your therapist.

Yes, many conditions can be successfully treated with physical therapy without an expensive and invasive surgery.

Physical therapists deals with the entire body and are focused on getting people up and walking and working on balance, overall strength and core strength. Occupational therapy specializes a little more in the upper extremities, arms and hands.

Electrical stimulation, or E-Stim, has become a go-to treatment for restoring muscular function following traumatic injuries.

Yes, most of insurance plans cover physical therapy treatment. You can check with your insurance plan administrator to be sure if your plan covers physical therapy.

Physical therapists sometimes push people beyond their limit or comfort zone a little bit. These exercises will help your therapy faster so you would not be reliant on your PT, medication or other treatments.

No, vertigo isn't necessarily hereditary since it's usually just a symptom of other conditions. You can only "inherit" vertigo if you inherit a condition with vertigo as a symptom.

Not all cases of carpal tunnel syndrome need surgery. When diagnosed early, there are some non-invasive methods to treat the condition such as wrist braces and wrist exercises.

Mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome can go away on their own when it's detected early and treated with strict rest right away.

How often you go to physical therapy always depends on your condition and its severity. Over time, you may require fewer visits depending on your progress.

Some physical therapists can prescribe medication, but they do their best to provide drug-free treatments for their patients.

Though physical therapy and chiropractic care both use non-invasive methods to treat conditions, a physical therapist's main goal is to help improve your movements, while a chiropractor's goal is to provide pain relief.

Yes, a physical therapist can also give massages. For example, they can perform deep tissue massages to help patients so that they can release tension in their muscles.

While possible, it's always recommended to have professional assistance, as you could possibly injure yourself when doing physical therapy on your own.

Rehabilitation exercises are for improving functionality and mobility to certain parts of the body after injury.

The average cost of physical therapy in the US without health insurance is $75 to $150 per session.

Sessions usually last around 30-60 minutes each, although this will depend exactly on your condition.

It's not unusual to feel fatigued or sore after your first treatment with physical therapy, with soreness subsiding within 24-48 hours.

This will depend on the condition being treated, but soft tissues generally take around 6-8 weeks to heal, meaning the typical program lasts at least 6-8 weeks.

Yes, we accept Qualcare insurance. Thank you, Veronica.