Thank you for your interest in Advanced Physical Therapy Center. To save you time we have posted the most common questions and their answers that our referring physicians ask. If you need more information please call us immediately at 203-359-TEAM (8326).
How long after I refer a patient must my patient wait to be seen in physical therapy?
In most cases patients are scheduled within 2 days of calling. On an emergency basis, we will see the patient that day.
Unfortunately, with today's managed care, some insurance companies do not allow this timely scheduling due to pre-certification requirements. Please call us at 203-359-8326 if you have specific questions.
How do I refer a patient to physical therapy?
Referring a patient to physical or occupational therapy is easy. Simply give the patient a prescription with the diagnosis and "evaluate and treat for physical therapy" written on it.
Again, with managed care, although we make every effort to take care of all insurance and pre-certification requirements, unfortunately some insurance companies require the physician to get pre-certification. If this is the case, pre-certification must sometimes be done before the patient is allowed to start.
What other information would be helpful to the physical therapist on the prescription?
Other than a clinical diagnosis if known, the only other information we need is:
- Weight bearing restrictions for post-surgical and post-fracture patients.
- Fracture status.
- ROM restrictions for post-surgical patients.
- Degrees of resistance allowed for post-surgical patient (e.g., active, passive or resisted).
- Expected limits in ROM if any, for a final outcome on a post-surgical patient.
- Type of surgical procedure and/or type of internal fixation used.
- Specific requests for splints or braces.
Do you need operative, MRI, or X-ray reports?
As physical therapists, we work very closely with your patients to allow gradual stress on a surgical site. Operative reports, X-rays and/or MRI reports are always helpful, but are not absolutely necessary. Any vital information can be written directly on the referral as outlined in the previous question.
How do I know what frequency and duration to refer my patient for?
In general, most patients are seen two or three times a week initially with decreasing frequency as tolerated. In most cases it is best to leave specific duration and frequency up to the physical therapist. This way the patient is not set up with false expectations and the therapist has the leeway to:
- See a patient on a frequent basis for an acute or severe problem.
- Decrease treatment frequency as the patient progresses.
- Spread out visits if less frequent visits are needed, either clinically and/or due to insurance authorization.
How will I know how my patient is progressing?
The patient will be periodically re-evaluated and updated reports will be sent. Our reports include the history, objective findings, assessment, type of treatment, and treatment frequency. Frequency of reports will depend upon the chronicity and nature of the problem, but they are generally sent every 4-6 weeks. Re-evaluations and reports will also be sent prior to any follow-up visit you have scheduled with the patient. If you would like reports or updates more frequently or verbally, please call or write it on your referral.
In general, our reports are faxed so that they are there in a timely basis. If we are aware of the patient's follow-up date with you, this will be noted on the transmission sheet of the fax referral form in order to alert your office staff that the report should be given to you.
If I am not sure that you can help my patient, can I refer for a consultation?
Absolutely. Simply tell your patient you would like them to be seen by a physical therapist to see if we can be helpful. We will evaluate the patient and call you or send a report, as you prefer.
Also, feel free to call us first for general information and treatment options for an individual patient or for more general information on various treatment approaches.
How do I know what kind of treatment I should suggest?
Because of our experience and level of expertise, you need not make specific requests when sending a patient. You can explain to your patient that the physical or occupational therapist will evaluate them and identify any therapy problems such as pain, weakness, loss of motion, loss of function, gait problems or any other impairments and functional limitations noted.
The therapist will explain all aspects of treatment to the patient and will send you a report with an outline of their care. This way, the patient does not have false expectations for therapy and the best treatment options can be utilized.
As always, any specific requests you make will be incorporated in the patient's program if appropriate.
How early after a diagnosis is made should I send a patient for physical therapy?
The patient should be seen as early as possible. The earlier a patient is seen, the quicker their recovery and the overall duration of care is shorter. Treatment will be modified according to the stage of the injury (i.e., acute, sub-acute, chronic) and the patient's signs and symptoms. Therefore, "too early" is generally not a problem.
What other specialty services do you offer?
Orthopedic Rehabilitation
Orthopedic rehabilitation encompasses a wide range of injuries and issues involving the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Some patients may have undergone surgery while others hope physical therapy will help them avoid surgery. Physical therapy helps to reduce pain, decrease swelling, increase range of motion, increase strength, improve gait, increase function and prevent recurrences.
Sports Medicine
Athletic injuries are essentially orthopedic injuries, which have a sport specific component. We treat pediatric, adolescent, high school, college, weekend and senior athletes return to their sport as quickly and safely as possible. After the acute injury is resolved, we focus on regaining motion and strength to allow the athlete to return to play as quickly and safely as possible. Once this is achieved, we focus on preventing re-injuries through proper warm-up, sound training procedures and post-participation care.
Spinal Rehabilitation
Spinal rehabilitation refers to treatments to the neck or back. With over 80% of Americans reporting some form of spine pain in their lifetime, back pain has become an epidemic. Because of the unique structures of the spine and special problems related to this area, specialized training is necessary to ensure appropriate treatment.
Research shows the majority of problems are mechanical, relating to specific activities, postures, and habits of the patient's life style. Therefore a "mechanical" solution is necessary. All our therapists attend post-graduate training in The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment. This method utilizes repetitive motion testing to identify movement patterns, positions, and activities that aggravate the condition as well as those that will decrease symptoms. A major emphasis is on active self-treatment in which the patient plays a vital role in controlling and eliminating their symptoms in less time than it would take medication to work.
Pediatric-Orthopedics
Torticollis, scoliosis, club foot, toe walking, "W" sitting, hypotonic muscle conditions, balance issues, minor motor delay, overuse injuries are all conditions that are commonly seen in children. Early intervention is important so that treatment can begin as soon as possible to minimize long lasting effects. Our experienced therapists create age appropriate treatment plans, which increases patient compliance and fosters a high success rate.
Neurological Rehabilitation
Neurological rehabilitation addresses injuries, disease, and problems related to the central nervous system, such as strokes, Parkinson's disease, MS, TBI, CP, Post-polio and other Neuromuscular Disorders. Our goal is to achieve maximal functional potential and independence through therapeutic activities, strengthening, range of motion, neuromuscular re-education, gait training, coordination and balance training as well as functional activities.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a complex condition affecting mobility, activities of daily living and overall sense of well-being. Our goal is to address the many issues related to chronic pain including soft tissue and postural influences as well as the related motor and mobility difficulties in order to bring about a reduction in pain and increase in mobility and return to previous functional level.
Cancer Care
Often, people undergoing treatment for cancer experience a number of physical difficulties due to chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. These difficulties may include limited mobility, gait or balance deficits, loss of range of motion, or post operative scarring and pain. Physical therapy can help minimize these side effects and aid in the recovery process.
ANODYNE® for Peripheral Neuropathy
Anodyne is a new FDA approved treatment using infrared light for treatment of various conditions. Most specifically, Anodyne technology has been proven effective for conditions that may result in painful numb feet. Research conducted within our own facility on individuals with painful numb feet treated with Anodyne demonstrates improvements in sensation, decreases in pain along with an improved ability to walk. In conjunction with balance re-training, individuals can experience a return of function that was once significantly limited.
Industrial Rehabilitation
Industrial rehabilitation is applying a sports medicine approach to injured workers. This translated to early treatment of acute strains and sprains to minimize pain and swelling, allowing for a more rapid recovery. Once the patient's symptoms reach the sub-acute stage, range of motion and strengthening exercises are begun, progressing to real or simulation job tasks. As with athletes, the goal is to return the person to work as quickly and safely as possible.
Return to Work
Known nationally as a Work Hardening Program, this is like "spring training" for patients who have been out of work due to a work related injury. Patients typically participate in the program 2-4 hours/day, 5 days per week for a few weeks ("like going to work"). Strength, endurance and job simulation tasks are increased daily until the patient meets the physical demands for their specific job title. Tasks may include: sitting, standing, walking, driving, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, stair climbing, crawling, kneeling, light assembly tasks and specific job related duties.
Physical Work Performance Evaluation (PWPE)
A PWPE (also known as a Functional Capacity Evaluation) is based on validated research published in a peer-review journal. The ErgoScience® PWPE is objective, reliable, valid and defensible. By evaluating workers using standard tasks and instructions, a worker's efforts are applied to a proprietary, consistent scoring system that has proven reliability and validity measures. Using the ErgoScience® scoring system, the assessment can defensible predict the worker's ability to meet the physical demands of an 8-hour day. This eliminates subjectivity from testing and returns patients to work at their maximum functional capacity.
Performing Arts Program
The Performing Arts Therapy Program provides services to both the professional and student populations of dancers, musicians and gymnasts by way of screenings, injury prevention, early intervention and treatment of acute or chronic injuries.
Women's Health Programs
We provide both pre- and post-natal physical therapy. Services for women throughout their pregnancy include treatment for low back pain, posterior pelvic pain and ligament laxity due to changes in posture, weight and hormonal levels. The post-natal therapy program addresses issues concerning deconditioning due to bedrest, pelvic floor dysfunction, C-section scar pain or hypersensitivity and treatment for diastesis recti.