Frequently Asked Questions  

  1. What happens during my first visit?
  2. What do I need to bring with me?
  3. How should I dress?
  4. How long will my visit last?
  5. How many visits will I need?
  6. Can I go to any physical therapy clinic?
  7. Can I go directly to a physical therapist?
  8. Can my therapist provide me with a diagnosis?
  9. Is my physical therapist licensed?
10. Can I bring children with to my visit?

1. What happens during my first visit?

• During your first visit you can expect the following:
• Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed (you can download it on our Patient Forms page).
• You will provide us with your prescription for physical therapy.
• We will copy your insurance card.
• You will be seen for the initial evaluation by the physical therapist.
• The therapist will discuss/review the following:
  • Your medical history
  • Your current problems/complaints
  • Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem
  • How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations
  • Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health
• The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation which may include some of the following:
  • Palpation - touching around the area of the pain/problem. This is done to check for the presence of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, inflammation, etc.
  • Range of Motion (ROM) - the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of movement and any restrictions
  • Muscle Testing - the therapist may check for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often the muscle strength is graded. This is also part of a neurological screening
  • 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
  • Special Tests - the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems
  • Posture Assessment - the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed

The therapist will then formulate a list of problems you are having, and how to treat those problems. A plan is 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, and goals. This plan is created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor.

2. What do I need to bring with me?

On your initial visit, please bring doctors orders for physical therapy, any applicable insurance referrals or referral numbers, your insurance card, and any other appropriate billing information.

3. How should I dress?

You should wear loose fitting clothing so you can expose the area that we will be evaluating and treating. You may want to wear or bring shorts if we are treating an ankle or knee.

4. How long will my visit last?

The first visit, the initial evaluation, takes about one hour. Each follow-up visit will take between 30 minutes to an hour depending on your condition.

5. How many visits will I need?

This is highly variable. You may need one visit or you may need months of care. It depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairments, your past medical history, etc. You will be re-evaluated regularly and when you see your doctor, we will provide a progress report for the doctor with our recommendations.

6. Can I go to any physical therapy clinic?

In most cases, you have the right to choose any physical therapy clinic. We have 8 convenient locations in the Rockford, IL and Chicago, IL area.

7. Can I go directly to a physical therapist?

No, in IL and OK you need a prescription from a medical doctor, chiropractor, physicians assistant, or nurse practitioner before being seen by a physical therapist.

8. Can my therapist provide me with a diagnosis?

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

9. Is my physical therapist licensed?

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

10. Can I bring children with to my visit?

Yes, but they must remain supervised and in the waiting area.

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