Question & Answer
How can a physical therapist help me?
A physical therapist evaluates joint motion, muscle strength and pain following sports injuries, work injuries, surgeries and/ or disease processes. A treatment plan is designed to meet your individual needs. Occasionally, a home-based exercise program is all that is required.
Do I need to see my doctor before I see a physical therapist?
You do need a prescription to begin physical therapy. Often, physical therapy is prescribed during a physician office visit. However, you may also call your physician’s office for a prescription. A prescription may also come from a Physician Assistant or a Certified Nurse Practitioner.
Who can benefit from physical therapy?
A diverse group of people benefit from physical therapy. If you experience pain and/or loss of function caused by a sports injury, work injury, car accident, or disease process, you may benefit from physical therapy. We can help you decrease pain, improve joint range of motion, and increase muscle strength. Please ask your doctor if physical therapy is appropriate for you.
What tools does a physical therapist use?
Exercise is the basis of physical therapy. Your therapist will design an exercise program tailored to address your specific condition. To supplement your exercise program, your therapist may use heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and/or manual therapy. Manual therapy is the practice of hands-on treatment and we have excellent manual therapists ready to assist you. If your injury relates to your work, we also provide jobsite ergonomic analysis and recommendations.
Does Medicare pay for physical therapy?
Yes, Medicare insurance reimburses for physical therapy. Examples of diagnosis covered by Medicare include knee and hip replacement, low back pain, neck pain, and stroke.
Will my insurance cover physical therapy?
Most insurance companies cover physical therapy services. You should contact your insurance provider to get specific coverage details.
What are the expected outcomes?
You and your physical therapist will set your treatment goals. We expect to decrease pain, improve range of motion, and increase strength. Ongoing monitoring will be done as you continue with treatment. We expect success and look forward to helping you reach your maximum potential.
Why should I choose the Avera Brookings Medical Clinic Physical Therapy?
We have specialists who are highly skilled in spine rehabilitation, sports rehabilitation, hand therapy, work injury treatment, and neurological rehabilitation. We have the training and experience needed to provide the very highest quality physical therapy.
What other services do you perform?
We perform on-the-job physical therapy, rehabilitation of injured workers, specific worksite ergonomic assessments, onsite triage and injury management, work reintegration and job analysis.
Please call 605-697-7336 with any additional questions.
