Patient Information

You certainly can!

Physical therapists are highly skilled at assessing the whole person. This means we look to identify all the factors related to your condition. We understand the interconnectedness of the body and how a problem in one area may be the symptom pointing to the source of the problem in an entirely different location.

We are also skilled at identifying whether or not you are dealing with “a” problem or multiple issues impacting you and your function.

Everyone can benefit from physical therapy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean physical therapy alone is all you need. We believe in collaborating with other healthcare professionals and working with you while working with another practitioner to help you get the results you deserve.

We can discuss your options and help you decide if physical therapy is right for you. Contact us today to learn how PT can help you and make an appointment with one of our dedicated staff members.

Absolutely!

Once you have finished your therapy sessions, you can continue to see your physical therapist. There are several different ways to do this, for example:

• Your therapist will see you review and progress your at-home therapy program.
• You can schedule a re-evaluation after a month to ensure you are still doing well and modify your home program as needed.
• You can arrange to see your therapist regularly (i.e., every six months) for a consultation to assess your progress, ensure you are not regressing, and deal with anything new that may have started.

We can also arrange to meet you at your gym to work with you on determining what equipment and exercises would benefit your continued recovery.

According to "The Patient's Bill of Rights" law, you can decide what physical and chiropractic therapy clinic you choose for your care.

Although many physicians recommend a physical and chiropractic therapy clinic they may prefer, you are under no obligation to go to that clinic. No medical practitioner, insurance company, or other entity can insist you attend a physical and chiropractic therapy clinic. The choice is yours to make!

Your basic patient rights include these:

• The right to information about quality: You can look up information about medical practitioners' credentials, statistics regarding hospitals and clinics, and what your health plan covers in easy-to-understand language.
• The right to choose a healthcare provider: Besides your primary healthcare provider, this also covers specialists, including physical therapists and chiropractors.
• The right to emergency services: You can't be denied treatment in an emergency.
• The right to make decisions: It's up to you to decide which course of treatment you want to follow.
• The right to respect: You must be treated with respect regardless of sex, age, race, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
• The right to confidentiality: Your health information is private and cannot be released without your consent.
• The right to complain: All providers (insurance, physicians, clinics, hospitals, etc.) must have a grievance procedure.

All fifty states and the District of Columbia have made a ruling enabling patients "Direct Access" to physical and chiropractic therapy services and programs. You can contact a physical therapist and chiropractor without a physician's prescription or referral.

Call Active Sport & Spine Therapy at 973-339-9833 today if you have any questions!

Yes and no!

This may be a bit confusing, but in most cases, the word “diagnosis” is exclusively for a physician. Although not everyone in healthcare knows this, for legal reasons, an official diagnosis comes from a physician.

That being said, physical therapists are often used to confirm or deny a diagnosis. As the physical therapy profession has grown, so has the respect and responsibility within the healthcare systems. So, technically speaking, a physical therapist will conduct an “assessment” of your situation to clarify your specific situation, and physical therapists are particularly skilled at getting to the root “cause” of your condition.

When you come for your initial session at Active Sport & Spine Therapy, your physical therapist will do a thorough evaluation that consists of a detailed history and a comprehensive physical examination. This first assessment establishes the severity of your injury or illness. It also helps establish the source of your symptoms and the factors contributing to your condition.

Physical therapists routinely collaborate with physicians to provide confirmation or potential contradictions to a diagnosis to ensure that your diagnosis is correct and your treatment plan is appropriate.