Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Your doctor may refer you to physical therapy because of a movement dysfunction associated with pain. Your difficulty with moving part(s) of your body very likely results in limitations with your daily activities (e.g., difficulty getting out of a chair, an inability to play sports, or trouble with walking, etc.). Physical therapists treat these movement dysfunctions and their associated pains and restore your body’s ability to move in normally.

All fifty states have some form of direct access. In most cases, if you are not making significant improvement within 30 days, the therapist will refer you to/back to your physician. Seeing a physical therapist first is safe and could save you hundreds of dollars or even thousands of dollars.
Direct Access

Many people are familiar with physical therapists’ work helping patients with orthopedic problems; others may be aware of the treatment that physical therapists provide to assist patients recovering from a stroke or brain injury. Physical therapists are experts in movement and function. Preventing injury, loss of movement, and even surgery is a large part of a physical therapist’s program. Physical therapists work as consultants in industrial settings to improve the design of the workplace and reduce the risk of workers overusing certain muscles or developing low back pain. They also provide sports therapy and sports performance services for athletes of all levels to screen for potential problems and institute preventive exercise programs. The cornerstones of physical therapy treatment are therapeutic exercise and functional training. In addition to “hands-on” care, physical therapists also educate patients to take care of themselves and perform certain exercises independently. The cornerstone of physical therapy is to provide patient specific goals to maximize patient independence and function.

Physical therapists are experts at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder, and physical therapists can help correct the disorder and reduce pain. Physical therapists assist in improving your quality of life and maximizing your independence.

These are some things you may consider when seeking a physical therapy clinic:

• Do they have a service that can address your problem?
• Ensure your specific patient goals are discussed in detail during the first visit.
• Care should include a variety of techniques which might include hands-on techniques, soft tissue work, therapeutic exercises and in some cases heat, cold, electrical stimulation or ultrasound.
• Do they take your insurance or are they willing to work with you if they are not a preferred provider?
• They should be conveniently located. Since sitting and driving often aggravate orthopedic problems, there should be a very good reason for you to drive a long distance for rehabilitation.
• What are the hours of operation? Do they work for your schedule?
• Do you feel comfortable and heard while discussing your care with your physical therapist?
• Ask your family and friends who they would recommend

We believe that we can provide you with the highest quality of care available and do it in a cost-effective manner. You will work closely with your physical therapist and in most instances, your case will be managed by the same physical therapist(s) from the beginning to the end of your experience with us. At Quinn Orthopedic Physical Therapy, we do not substitute your visit time with physical therapy assistants and our licensed team of Physical Therapists will manage your care spend directing one-on-one time with you from start to finish.

In most cases, you have the right to choose any physical therapy clinic. Our practice is a provider for many different insurance plans. The best thing to do is give us a call and we will attempt to answer all of your questions.

During your first visit you can expect the following:

• Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed (you can download it from our website – see the paperwork or forms link).
• You will provide us with your referral for physical therapy if you have one. If you don’t have a referral, let us know when you schedule your first visit with us (note – a referral is not always needed).
• We will copy your ID and insurance card

Make sure you bring your physical therapy referral (provided to you by your doctor) and your payment information. If your insurance is covering the cost of physical therapy, bring your insurance card. If you are covered by auto insurance, an attorney lien, or workers’ compensation, make sure you bring this information.

If you are covered by Workers’ Compensation, bring your claim number and your case manager’s contact information. Claim information must be submitted prior to your first visit.

You should wear loose-fitting clothing to expose the area that we will be evaluating and treating. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice. For low back problems, wear a loose-fitting shirt and pants, again so we can perform a thorough examination.

Therapist will discuss the following:

1. Your medical history (including medications, tests, and procedures related to your health)
2. Your current problems/complaints.
3. Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem, and how your current problem is impacting your daily activities and function.
4. Your goals with physical therapy.

The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation which may include some of the following:

1. Posture Assessment – the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.
2. 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.
3. Range of Motion (ROM) – the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of
   movement and any restrictions.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Special Tests – the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.

The therapist will then formulate a list of problems you are having, and how to treat those problems. A plan is subsequently 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, short-term/long-term goals, and what is expected after discharge from therapy. This plan is created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor.

Your initial treatment will last approximately 60 minutes with follow up visits lasting 30-45 minutes.

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 on a monthly basis and when you see your doctor, we will provide you with a progress report with our recommendations.

You will be evaluated by one of our licensed and highly trained physical therapists and he/she will also treat you during subsequent visits. Unlike some clinics, where you see someone different each visit, we feel it is very important to develop a continuous relationship with you to maintain continuity of care. We work hard around your scheduling to try and keep your follow up visits with a team of two therapists who can collaborate and work together to speed your recovery.

Yes, physical therapists are able to specialize in both treatment techniques as well as specific disciplines of physical therapy. Head to our care team page to find the Quinn Orthopedic team specialties.
Care Team

There are dozens of different types of treatment interventions.

Treatment may include:

• Range of Motion (active and passive)
• Stretching/Flexibility Exercise
• Strength Training (in isometrics, isotonics, and progressive resistive exercises)
• Posture Training
• Gait or Walking Training
• Soft Tissue/Joint Mobilization
• Spinal Traction
• Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
• Cold or Hot Therapy
• Modalities: E-STIM (TENS or NMES), Ultrasound, Iontophoresis

Massage may be part of your treatment. Rehabilitation specialists are trained in a variety of techniques that may help with your recovery. Deep tissue techniques may be part of the rehabilitative process. Massage is used for three reasons typically – to facilitate venous return from a swollen area, to relax a tight muscle, or to relieve pain. Contrary to common thought, massage does not increase circulation.

For many patients, one of the primary objectives is pain relief. This is accomplished with a variety of treatment interventions. In combination with hands-on techniques, movement often provides pain relief as well. Your physical therapist will provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance.
In some cases, physical therapy techniques can be painful. For example, recovering knee range of motion after total knee replacement or shoulder range of motion after shoulder surgery may be painful. Your physical therapist will utilize a variety of techniques to help maximize your treatment goals. It is important that you communicate the intensity, frequency, and duration of pain to your therapist. Without this information, it is difficult for the therapist to adjust your treatment plan.

Flare ups are not uncommon. If you have a flare up (exacerbation), give us a call. We may suggest you come back to see us, return to your doctor, or simply modify your daily activities or exercise routine.

Some patients will need to continue with home exercises. Some may choose to continue with a gym exercise program. Others will complete their rehabilitation and return to normal daily activities. It is important that you communicate your goals to your therapist, so he/she can develop a custom program for you.

No, insurance dictates that you are only able to receive one physical therapy appointment per day.

Insurance
In most cases, health insurance will cover your treatment. Click on our insurance link above for a summary of insurances we accept. Contact our receptionist request to speak with our billing department so we can help you clarify your insurance coverage.

Billing for physical therapy services is similar to what happens at your doctor’s office. When you are seen for treatment, the following occurs:

1. The physical therapist bills your insurance company, Workers’ Comp, or charges you based on Common Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes.
2. Those codes are transferred to a billing form that is either mailed or electronically communicated to the payer.
3. The payer processes this information and makes payments according to an agreed upon fee schedule.
4. An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is generated and sent to the patient and the physical therapy clinic with a check for payment and a balance due by the patient.
5. The patient is expected to make the payment on the balance if any.

It is important to understand that there are many small steps (beyond the outline provided above) within the process. Exceptions are common to the above example as well. At any time along the way, information may be missing, miscommunicated, or misunderstood. This can delay the payment process. While it is common for the payment process to be completed in 60 days or less, it is not uncommon for the physical therapy clinic to receive payment as long as six months after the treatment date.

We offer a subsidized cash rate for evaluation (60 minute) and follow up (30 minute) for those whom elect to pay out of pocket for physical therapy services. Initial evaluation is charged at a $200 cash rate and follow-up appointments are billed at $100. Payment is due at the time of service.

Yes, If you’d like an itemized receipt outlining your received services at Quinn Orthopedic, please contact our billing team in the Cupertino office at (408) 252-6076. After receiving your request, we will email you a copy.