Physical therapy is dedicated to treating, healing and preventing injuries and disabilities. Therapists work individually with patients to help:

• Reduce pain.
• Restore strength and function.
• Regain motion.
• Improve safety.
• Prevent injury.
• Restore preoperative function.
• Adapt to disability to achieve the highest functional level.
• Educate patient and family as to self-care and prevention of further problems.

On your first visit, the therapist evaluates you and learns about your problems and medical history. Tests and measurements will indicate appropriate treatment, which may include the following:

Heat in the form of moist heat packs relieving pain. Ultrasound and paraffin assists in muscle relaxation, relieving pain, promoting circulation and preparing muscles and joints for movement.

Electrical Stimulation: Physical therapists use many types of electrical stimulation to help block pain, improve circulation, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling and increase muscle function. Electrical stimulation is safe, controlled and comfortable.

Cold: Ice packs, ice massage and other compression packs all help to reduce inflammation, relieve swelling and block pain.

Therapeutic Exercise: Therapeutic exercise is a cornerstone of physical therapy. Different kinds of exercises may be prescribed depending on what you need.

• Stretching
• Strengthening
• Relaxation
• Functional
• Balancing
• Coordination
• Postural

Exercise may include home exercises done with the therapist (manual exercises) and use of specific exercise equipment.

The old adage "no pain, no gain" does not always apply in physical therapy. Generally, physical therapy will not be painful. In fact, our goal is to relieve your pain. There are some instances where you may notice an increase in soreness or pain. For example, if you are working to increase muscle strength, muscle soreness may be experienced. This is typical, and usually, recedes after 48 hours. If you have joint contracture (such as frozen joint) it may be necessary to stretch into pain.

In certain conditions, such as overuse injuries (tendonitis, bursitis, etc.) it is especially important that you avoid increasing pain with activity. The therapist will help guide you as to "how much is too much?" If you have experienced pain after therapy, please be sure to let the therapist know.

The average visit takes about 40 minutes. If you have limitations, please let us know.

Number of treatments are determined by your specific problem and needs, your therapist's and physician's recommendation, your insurance requirements and your response to treatment. For example, if you are making good progress, it may not be necessary to treat you for all of the prescribed visits. Or, if you are experiencing a difficult recovery, it may take a few more visits than your doctor ordered. In this case, we will contact your physician and discuss it with him or her.

You may want to wear your shorts and sport-type shoes for exercising in our gym. If we are treating your knee or ankle we prefer that you wear shorts. If we are treating your shoulder, we prefer you have a sleeveless top for shoulder exposure. If you need to be in a patient gown, we will provide this along with a private room.

A primary physical therapist is assigned who will evaluate and direct your care. Generally, this therapist will be providing treatment.

It is best to schedule appointments well in advance to insure treatment days and times that you prefer. You can schedule appointments by phone or at our office. We are open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. We also have a voice-mail system for hours when we are not in. If you need to cancel your appointment, please give us 24 hour notice so that we may provide the time for another patient who needs it.

If you provide us with all billing information, we will be happy to bill your insurance company. Your insurance company may require pre-authorization. If this is so, please be sure that authorization has been sent before your first appointment.

Please feel free to ask our staff any questions you may have and to share your concerns. We're here to help guide your rehabilitation and recovery.