Spine, Joint & Muscle Care

1. DO I NEED A PRESCRIPTION OR REFERRAL FROM MY PHYSICIAN?

NO.  Despite popular belief, the general public can consult and be treated by a licensed physiotherapist and it should be covered by your health insurance. Medicare, Tricare and a few rare private insurances still require, however, that patients obtain a referral from their medical doctors in order to have physical therapy services covered under their policies.

2.SHOULD I BRING MY MRIs (OR X-RAYS, CT Scans etc)?  

YES.  If the films are in your possession, bring them to your initial visit, as they will be helpful for the physiotherapist to assess your condition.

3. DO YOU DO MANIPULATIONS (...AS IN JOINT MANIPULATIONS OR SOFT TISSUE MANIPULATIONS)?  YES.   Unlike chiropractors, physiotherapists manipulate (when necessary) not only the spine but all other joints of the body and the soft tissues as well (myofascia).   Physiotherapists manipulate to RESTORE movement or function to joints, not necessarily to cause "alignment".

4. DO YOU DO ADJUSTMENTS (...AS IN CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS)?   NO.   Manipulations done by physiotherapists are called simply that: manipulations.   They are utilized with intension to RESTORE function (hence "Restore" Therapies) and they are not the only treatments we provide to restore function.

5. DO YOU OFFER MASSAGES? Physiotherapists are extensively trained in soft tissue manipulation, which includes massage.  If you are seeking relaxation massages, we utilized licensed massage therapists we have on call.   HOWEVER, if the reason for your looking for massages is the treatment of pain or other disability, you would be best served by discussing it with the physiotherapist first. Massages hardly would be the treatment of choice for resolving dysfunctions, therefore they tend to be palleative and not the best route of care.  The physiotherapist will delineate the best course of therapy for you after a careful clinical exam and will explain it to you in terms you can understand.

6.  DO YOU ACCEPT MY INSURANCE?  Likely YES.  Restore is currently accepting most insurance plans through various networks.  We are Medicare and Tricare participants as well.  Insurance policies are however constantly changing, and some changes may occur with short notice.   As a courtesy to you, we will do the leg work and verify the benefits on your policy.

7.  DO YOU HAVE CHIROPRACTORS?    NO.   Restore is a physiotherapist's office.

8.  WHY SHOULD I SEEK A PHYSIOTHERAPIST FIRST? Consider this:   physiotherapists are the primary care clinicians for the muscleskeletal system (nerves, muscles and joints).  When affected by injuries or "dysfunctions" of nerves, muscles and joints, who should you seek advice from?   Additionally, there are no side effects or contraindications to P.T., it is the most cost effective practice in health care, it is less aggressive than surgery (leaving the surgical option still open) and is evidenced based. The latest literature strongly opposes surgery to most musculoskeletal conditions until you have had a recommended course of physical therapy.  Besides being safer, it is more economic and likely the solution to the problem.

9.  CAN I PAY PRIVATELY, IF MY INSURANCE WON'T COVER PHYSIOTHERAPY?   YES

 

10. WHAT CONDITIONS CAN YOU TREAT WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY? Physiotherapy is known for successfully treating a wide range of conditions, including several muscle, nerve and joint conditions, including but not limited to low back pain, neck pain, shoulder problems, TMJ (Jaw) pain and dysfunction and conditions of the knee, hip, hand/wrist and feet/ankle etc.
 

11.  WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THERAPY?   You may come as you wish.   Just keep in mind the therapist will have to examine the area (s) of your complaints and possibly adjacent areas. Medical gowns are provided for examination and treatment, should you prefer.

12. WHAT IF I WAS TOLD I NEED SURGERY?  You should always seek at least 2 opinions before choosing potentially life altering surgery.  In some cases, particularly in the case of spine surgery, the physical therapist should be such second opinion.  Neck and Low Back pain with or without nerve impingement in most cases respond better to properly applied physiotherapy treatments than to surgery.  Physiotherapy is not invasive, relatively "low tech" and much less costly than surgery, imaging, pain management or prescription drugs.  In any case, the proof is in the pudim, and the physiotherapist should be able to reach measureable improvements rather quickly.

13. SHOULD I TAKE MY MEDICATION WHILE COMING TO THERAPY? You should follow what your M.D. has prescribed.  If he/she has prescribed medication to be taken "as needed", the physiotherapist will discuss with you the best line of action in order for you to reap the best and most expedite benefits of your physiotherapy.

14.WILL I HAVE TO PAY DEDUCTIBLES, CO-PAYS OR CO-INSURANCE EVERY SESSION?   Your co-pays and co-insurance payments are determined by your insurance company and are specific to your policy.  As a courtesy to all of our patients, our office will verify your benefits prior to your scheduled appointment and inform you of the findings, so you know exactly what your dues are.   If co-pays, deductibles or co-insurance apply, they are due the same day services are provided. 

15. HOW LONG WILL THE SESSIONS LAST?  In our office, we will provide you with what is needed to correct the problem, regardless of how long it may take (mindful of your time, off course): 15 min or one hour and 15 min.   Typically, reserve one hour for your initial visit to allow for a thorough examination.   From that point on, the therapist will explain to you how long it may take on average for you specific case.  We will never have you wait more than a couple of minutes in the waiting room.

16. HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?  The overall length for your recovery will vary on a series of factors the physical therapist will estimate:  he or she will determine such terms based on the nature of your problem, how acute or chronic it is, your age etc.

17. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT IN MY INITIAL VISIT?   You will be required to fill out initial paperwork just like when you go to your dentist or doctor's office for the first time.   As soon as you are done with that, the physiotherapist will take you in and get acquainted with you.  He or she will ask you questions related to your complaints and will perform a physical examination.   He or she will encourage you to ask questions and will answer them thoroughly.

18. WILL IT BE PAINFUL?  The infamous say "no pain, no gain" doesn't quite apply here, but remember that most patients come to us in severe pain already.

19. MAY I HAVE PHYSIOTHERAPY IF I AM PREGNANT?  Yes.  The physiotherapist will determine the appropriate course for therapy during your pregnancy.  If your pregnancy is of high risk, the physiotherapist may have to discuss it with your OB/GYN.

20. DO  YOU TREAT CHILDREN?   No.  Pediatric physiotherapy is a subspecialty that Restore does not offer at this time. We will be most pleased to recommend colleagues that treat pediatric patients.

21. DO YOU DO WOUND CARE?   No.

22. DO YOU MAKE HOUSE CALLS?    Except in rare occasions for acute low back patients, where one or two visits may allow you to get up an come see us in the office, we don't do house calls.

23.  DO YOU TAKE WORK COMP PATIENTS?   Yes.

 

24. DO YOU TAKE AUTO INSURANCE?   Yes.

25. WHAT IF I JUST HAD SURGERY?   In may cases, especially orthopedic surgery, physiotherapy will be required for your full recovery.  The physiotherapist will be in communication with your surgeon.

26. ARE THERE CONTRAINDICATIONS TO PHYSIOTHERAPY?   No.  There are specific contraindications for specific physical modalities, but no contraindications for physiotherapy.   The physiotherapist will inform you of special conditions.

27. ARE YOU CERTIFIED HAND THERAPISTS?   The specialized treatment of the hand, post-surgical or not, is basic physiotherapy.   Other professionals (occupational therapists etc) need to become certified in order to treat the hand (when they learn to utilize physiotherapy principles and modalities).

28. DO YOU OFFER DECOMPRESSION THERAPY (..as in DRX-9000 or VAX-D EQUIPMENT)?   No.  Having treated several patients after failed "decompression" treatments, with outstanding results, we question the scientific validity of the modality.   In our opinion, it is nothing more than electronic traction, as performed for many years in traditional physical therapy settings, with a lot of "marketing" behind it.  The literature up to this point does not justify its use more than that of traditional traction. It is not covered under commercial insurance or Medicare exactly for that matter.   It certainly does not constitute a cost effective alternative to patients.  We have noticed that patients that have been exposed to those treatments, only chose them out of fear or desperation and lack of exposure to proper physiotherapy.   Do not confuse marketing with sound scientific evidence.

 

29. DO YOU TREAT SPINE PROBLEMS (back and neck)?    Yes.   That is our specialty.

30. DO YOU TREAT TMJ (JAW)?  Yes.

31. DO YOU TREAT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?  Yes.

32. SHOULD I STOP MY EXERCISE REGIMEN WHILE I AM IN THERAPY?   Yes.   Until you discuss it with the physical therapist.

33. I HAVE A CHIROPRACTOR (...or a massage therapist...or a personal trainer...or an athletic trainer...).   WHY SHOULD I CONSULT THE PHYSIOTHERAPIST?   Physiotherapists are the experts of the musculoskeletal system, highly trained in the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of the those conditions.   Physiotherapists utilize scientific evidence, which is acknowledged by the remainder of the medical community.  Not true to the above mentioned.

34. WILL MY THERAPIST CONTACT MY SURGEON (or md/do)?  Yes.  Physiotherapists are active members of the medical community.   If your surgeon does not contact us first, we will contact him/her.

35. AM I A CANDIDATE FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY?   That is tough to answer without examining you (or at least asking you a few questions).  If you are suffering from back, neck, shoulder or any other "neuromuskuloskeletal" problems, you likely are.

36. WHY SHOULD I COME TO RESTORE THERAPIES?  Our center of attention and sole reason to be in private practice is you, the patient.  We know you are going to notice the difference from many other medical offices and physiotherapy chains.   We are certain you are going to be pleasantly surprised with your experience and the results of your physiotherapy.