Your First Visit

After completing the registration process with the front desk, you will receive a quick tour of the office. Please wear clothing that will allow easy access to the area(s) we are to evaluate.

Our Physical Therapist (PT) will interview and examine you to establish an individualized treatment program. This initial evaluation may take from 30 to 60 minutes. Ideally on your first visit you will also receive a treatment, your exercise program will be prescribed and initiated, and thermal and/or electrical modalities applied.

You will be asked to certify that you have read a consent statement that will cover the following:
Any risks involved, if any, in evaluation or treatment will be explained to you.
The results of the evaluation will be sent to your physician.
Updates in the form of a progress note will be done monthly.
Treatment may include, but is not limited to:

  • Joint and soft tissue mobilization to prepare your body to exercise.
  • Exercises will be prescribed by your PT, and you will be trained in stretching, strengthening and balance/coordination exercises, overseen by a PT Assistant. Some of your clinic exercises should be done as Home exercises. Advanced exercise such as Pilates and Yoga are used on a case-by-case basis.
  • One-on-one functional retraining such as postural and body mechanics training will present you with options to promote healing, and avoid future injury.
  • Modalities such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation may be used to decrease pain/swelling
  • Treatments will be delivered by a team of PT’s, PT Assistants (PTA), PT Interns, and PT exercise specialists/aides. Typically PT and PTA treatments will alternate

It will be explained that:

  • If home exercise equipment such as exercise bands, balls or rollers are prescribed by your therapist, you may purchase them here or elsewhere.
  • You may consult with other therapists and/or physicians at any time regarding your condition.
  • You have the right to refuse any therapeutic procedure or treatment at any time.
  • No guarantees of successful outcome have been given to you.
  • You may ask questions at any time regarding any aspect of proposed or current care.
  • You should inform your physical therapist regarding any significant change in your symptoms, or activity e.g. before returning to sports, gym etc.
  • Parents/guardians must attend all treatments unless otherwise agreed to, in writing. Minor patients will be supervised while in our offices, but not in public areas of the building complex.

After your program and treatment plan has been developed by a licensed Physical Therapist, your next visits to the clinic may include discussions and treatments by your Physical Therapist, a Physical Therapy Assistant as well as therapeutic modalities performed by a trained Technician. Physical Therapy plans are not designed to inflict pain; however, it is common to experience some discomfort at injury site and/or surrounding areas as we guide you through your rehab process. Communication is the key to your progress. Please help us help you by communicating with our staff at each visit.

Subsequent visit

A typical treatment will include hands-on, direct care from a PT or PTA or Intern, supervised exercise in the gym or if appropriate, advanced exercise in the exercise Studio. Thermal and electrical modalities will complete your treatment. There may be individual insurance contract rules that affect the specifics of your treatment.

Monthly required progress note re-evaluations may replace components of your normal treatment sessions.

The total time in the clinic is typically 30-75 minutes. Please allot enough time in your day to complete the entire treatment plan through the duration of your treatment period as developed by your PT, in order to reasonably expect your goals to be met.

Your symptoms will be monitored by our trained staff to ensure you are getting the best care possible while at our facilities. We will also monitor your exercises carefully to ensure that you do not increase your risk of additional injury while in our care. The equipment at our clinics do not inflict pain. However, you may experience some pain or discomfort at the injury site or surrounding areas while receiving your treatments or while doing your exercises. Your pain will be monitored by our trained staff to ensure you are getting the best care possible while at our facility. We will also monitor your exercises carefully to ensure that you do not increase your risk of additional injury while in our care.

How we measure the success of your treatments

Throughout treatment, your therapist takes regular progress measurements that include:

  • Specific joint mobility
  • Gross mobility
  • Muscle tone
  • Endurance & coordination
  • Strength
  • Neurological status
  • Degree of pain during functional activities

Objective testing is also taken to determine the success of your treatment and to provide an accurate prognosis of when you can expect to return to normal activities. But the greatest success depends on your motivation to get well. A positive, can-do attitude is often the strength behind a quick, effective recovery.

Special Programs

The Motivation of Medical Exercise Therapy
Once movement is regained, your physical therapist will prescribe medical exercise therapy, a form of functional exercise. Each isolated exercise performed is simple enough to allow for repetition without adding pain. These specific exercises are designed to work a specific area without affecting other parts of your body. Your therapist will “spot” you to ensure the quality of each movement and to assess whether it needs to be more challenging in order to improve circulation and muscle strength. Medical exercise therapy is an excellent way to build endurance and condition your muscles. Once you master exercises at our offices, you can also perform them at home.

Sports Programs
We offer a dedicated team of experienced physical therapists who know the demands of your sport, how to train for your position and how to assess your individual needs. Our unique program integrates speed exercises, sports balance, customized strength training and other enhancement techniques that make you stronger and faster in your sport, while decreasing the risk of injury. Our Sports Performance program is available for anyone who wants to improve their game. It features exercises that help improve balance, coordination and sports-specific training, which may include:

  • Balance
  • Agility
  • Multi-directional speed
  • Dynamic strength exercises

Our program also offers special exercises designed to protect the body from overuse pain and injuries common in court and field sports. Most non-contact knee injuries occur from jumping or twisting while changing direction. Our program integrates dynamic stabilization and special techniques that help minimize risk of injuries in your sport.

Spine Injuries
The spine is an amazingly complex structure, providing us with strength and stability as well as incredible mobility. The spine is comprised of 24 vertebrae, which are precisely connected to an array of discs, ligaments, joints and muscles. These tissues work together to move the spine in a controlled fashion and to protect the spinal cord and its nerves.

You can experience pain in your neck or back if there is injury or irritation to any of these structures. Injury may be due to a recent trauma such as a car accident, fall or lifting a heavy object. However, most often it is the result of repeated small traumas over time due to the way you sit, walk, stand or move.

With our spine program, we can carefully test and evaluate your condition, determine the source of your pain and then develop a plan to help you return to your usual active lifestyle. Our special training in this complex area allows us to provide you with the tools needed to achieve optimal spinal health

Work Injuries
Our work program offers an extensive therapy regimen designed to get you back on the job as quickly and as safely as possible. What’s more, as part of our comprehensive program, we will show you how to avoid future injuries.