FAQs
Physical therapists provide health care services to individuals who have impairments, functional limitations, disabilities or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease or other causes. Physical therapists are professionally educated at the college or university level and are required to be licensed in the state in which they practice.
In the state of Florida, Physical Therapists may evaluate and treat a patient without the written diagnosis or prescription of a physician. We now have full Direct Access. If you have a prescription from a physician for physical therapy, that is great, but you do not need one to begin your therapy unless your insurance policy requires one. You may call our office at 941-340-5444 and set up an appointment.
The first visit is scheduled for a full hour with a licensed physical therapist. Each subsequent visit is scheduled in 30 minute time slots but, on average, however some insurance plans will cover a 60 minute appointment. Patients are usually seen 2 to 3 times a week for 4 to 6 weeks, then decreasing visits as recommended by the therapist.
You should wear comfortable workout clothes that you will be able to exercise in. It is important that you wear loose-fitting clothing to enable the therapist to examine and treat the injured area.
Most patients feel better after therapy, however, with some conditions some discomfort may be felt after beginning an exercise program. This discomfort is usually short lasting and can be relieved with ice or rest.
You should arrive 15 minutes early for your scheduled appointment so that you can fill out any necessary registration forms. If you would like to fill out your preregistration forms ahead of time, you can download them from our Preregistration page. Your appointment will most likely take about an hour, depending on your needs and diagnosis.
Your physical therapist will talk to you about your history and perform a physical examination. After your evaluation, the therapist will create an individualized treatment program specific to your rehabilitation process. On some occasions, treatment will begin the same day.
Physical therapists can help you improve your mobility and quality of life without the expense of surgery or side effects of pain medication. Physical therapists are also the health care professionals of choice for rehabilitation for orthopedic, neurologic, cardiopulmonary and many other conditions and injuries.
More and more physical therapists are graduating with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. More than 92 percent of the more than 200 accredited academic institutions nationwide offering professional physical therapist education programs now offer the DPT degree – and more than 75 percent of all 2008 PT graduates hold a DPT degree.
Physical therapists are experts in the way the human body moves. They use treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. They will also help you prevent loss of mobility by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs to help you achieve a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Yes, in many cases, a personal, comprehensive treatment plan by a physical therapist can help you reduce and/or eliminate pain.
Yes, many conditions can be successfully treated without expensive and painful surgery. Talk to your physical therapist to see what options are available to you. Surgery does not have to be your only course of action.
In most cases, yes. Please call our office and we can confirm if your policy covers physical therapy services.
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) have completed an associate degree from an accredited PTA program and, in most states, are licensed. Under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist, PTAs assist physical therapists in patient treatment and education.
We work with a variety of conditions, including but not limited to the following.
Pain in or injury to the: Ankle | Back | Elbow | Foot | Hip | Knee | Neck | Shoulder | Wrist
Headaches | Pre-operative and post-operative rehabilitation | Dizziness | Vertigo | Vestibular rehabilitation | Fall prevention | Balance | Strengthening
Our staff is trained and certified in various methods of physical therapy. Treatments may differ depending on the reasons for seeking physical therapy.
Treatment options offered are both provider-directed and patient-directed, such as: Soft tissue massage |Joint mobilization | Stretching | Strengthening | Balance | Functional Mobility
We also have methods to assist with pain management, including: Heat/Cold Therapy | Electrical Stimulation | Ultrasound | Class 4 Laser | Focused Soundwave | Iontophoresis | Phonophoresis | Pneumatic Compression
Chiropractors and physical therapists can have similar treatment strategies and will even work in conjunction with one another for some patients.
The practices diverge in two main areas: traditional vs. alternative medicine, and timeframe.
Chiropractors practice a form of alternative medicine that focuses on properly aligning the body, usually the spine, with health benefits and pain relief resulting from regular maintenance. They may also have regularly scheduled appointments with patients, along with acute care visits as needed.
Physical therapists practice traditional medicine and specifically focus on functionality and movement. Their ultimate goal is to guide a patient to return to the level of function they had before they started physical therapy so they no longer require follow-up visits – often within a set amount of time.
At Moxie Physical Therapy, we always try to keep your visits consistent with the same therapist, or a maximum of two therapists. You will normally receive an initial evaluation by a physical therapist and follow up visits are often performed by our experienced physical therapist assistants.
On some occasions, the patients schedule does not align with the availability of their typical therapist. In those circumstances, we will offer an opening with another licensed therapist who can consult with the typical therapist and seamlessly carry out the treatment session.