FAQs

At Continuum Wellness Physical Therapy, our physical therapists are highly educated, licensed health care professionals who are dedicated to helping their patients get results.

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical, hands-on approach to relieving pain and restoring function. Physical therapists are medical experts in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and work closely with physicians. Our physical therapists evaluate your movement patterns, identify the cause of your pain, and work to eliminate it.

While every patient’s condition and pain is unique, your physical therapist will use a variety of gentle hands-on techniques, exercises, and equipment to relieve pain quickly and restore your function to optimum levels. The overall goal is to restore pain-free mobility and function and to prevent the injury or pain from recurring.

How do I know if physical therapy will help me?

Working with you and your doctor, we can discuss your options and help determine if physical therapy will be the right choice for you. Contact us today to discuss your current condition.

Can I go to any physical therapy I choose?

As a patient you have the right to receive physical therapy at any place you choose. At Continuum Wellness Physical Therapy, you will receive the highest quality care while achieving the results you need. We pride ourselves on providing a positive, encouraging environment with well-trained, friendly staff. We are confident in our ability to help you reach your goals and live a pain-free life.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Our scheduling is easy and we offer a convenient location and appointment times for you. We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule. Call us today at (480) 983-0877.

My child is under the age of 18; do I need to come to every visit?

Please come to the initial visit to sign paperwork. After that, it is your choice but not necessary to be there.

What information do you need to know about me prior to treatment?

If you think it may be helpful, please make a list of chronic medical issues, previous surgeries, medications, and all previous injuries that you have had. If there are any additional concerns that may impact treatment, please let us know so we can accommodate your individual needs.

What should I expect during my first visit?

First and foremost, we assess to see if you are appropriate for PT services and will not hesitate to tell you if further imaging or a surgical consult might be needed. We only want to treat patients that we can help. You should expect to have a comprehensive history taken, then a thorough physical examination and movement assessment to evaluate not only the site of pain but also surrounding structures that can contribute to pain. We will also provide you with an initial home exercise program to start to correct some of the issues, along with hands-on manual therapy techniques to help with immediate pain relief.

Will it hurt?

Physical therapy is not meant to hurt, but to relieve pain. However, as you restore your mobility, pain levels, at times can fluctuate. You might experience some temporary soreness from using muscles that are weakened or recovering. This is a normal response to therapy treatment. Good communication with your therapist will help minimize any discomfort. We want you on your way to quick pain relief and back to normal activities.

Will I need a referral for my first visit?

You do not need a referral to receive physical therapy treatment.

Does insurance cover my treatment?

Yes, in most cases it does. Our office will be happy to assist in contacting your insurance company and determining your coverage based on your individual policy. For more information, visit our insurance plan page and please do not hesitate to contact our office. We do offer different payment options for your convenience.

What if I don’t have insurance?

For patients who do not have insurance, we offer a private pay plan, due at the time of service.

What type of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. We are happy to discuss payment plan options as well. It is our policy that payment is made at the time of service. Your insurance benefits will be determined before your second visit, and you will be informed of what, if any, payment is necessary on that date.

What do I wear?

Dress comfortably with clothes that allow easy access for the therapist to examine your problem areas. For treatments, loose fitting clothes that are comfortable for gentle exercises and supportive sneakers are often good choices to wear.

How long will my therapy sessions last?

Plan on 45-60 minutes for each visit, depending on how you are feeling and what your therapist feels needs to be accomplished during each visit.

How long will I need to go to physical therapy?

Every patient is unique; some issues go away quickly while others take longer. Sometimes with an acute mechanical/joint issue of an extremity or a spine problem, it will only take a couple of visits. However, with long-standing issues that came on gradually, the improvement is usually slower but should be steady.

What types of education/training do your therapists have?

Physical therapists have years of university level training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (study of joint movement), neurology, and many of the other medical sciences. Our physical therapists have graduated from accredited physical therapy programs and are state licensed. Depending on the university, the physical therapy program is either a masters or doctorate level degree. Rest assured, your therapist is well trained to evaluate and treat your condition.

Does it matter how often I do my home exercises?

Absolutely; we prescribe exercise like your physician prescribes medicine. You wouldn’t take an antibiotic every 3 days when you are supposed to take it every day for 7 days. Some exercises are for pain relief and should be done frequently to decrease symptoms, some exercises are for postural strength and should be done to maintain good posture, and some exercises are for overall strength and need to be done less often. Every patient is unique and so is the prescription of exercises. You will NOT get a generic program, but a specific program tailored to your pain, functional limitations, and your therapy goals.

Do you offer programs for me once I’m better?

Yes, once you have completed your therapy sessions, your therapist will review your continuing home program. We can make recommendations for what exercises can be helpful in your continued recovery.