FAQs

• Do I Need a Referral For Physical Therapy?

  In Connecticut, you can get physical therapy directly without a doctor’s referral. You do not need a referral or a prescription to start physical therapy. The significant benefit is you can skip long-waited doctor’s appointments and save time and money.  Your physical therapist is highly educated and trained to diagnose and care for your movement needs. Your physical therapist may refer you to another specialist, such as an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon…  Watch this free training here to learn how to feel better without pain, injections, or surgery. 

• Can I Skip the Evaluation?

  For example, if you already saw your primary doctor or an orthopedic surgeon, you may wonder why you need another assessment from a physical therapist.  Here is why.  A physician or surgeon usually gives a diagnosis for an area of pain.  Your physical therapist can evaluate and test for specific painful joint movements and identify affected muscle groups(s) and possibly adjacent joints, muscles, and nerves also involved but not immediately felt by you.  For example, they will also analyze the history of movements and identify a comprehensive movement pattern involved. In this way, you can have the complete picture and clarity to design a proper course of treatment, so you can avoid cookie-cutter therapies that don’t work. So, an evaluation is needed to guarantee a successful outcome.

• Will I Get Treated On My First Visit?

  Yes! On your first day, your physical therapist will dive deeper into your condition, then, based on the findings, they will choose treatment options that will give you the best chance to recover fully. Your therapist will use their hands to treat your condition, so you may begin to experience a change in your movement.

• Do I Need An X-Ray or MRI Before Physical Therapy Treatment? Which is Best?

  If you need an X-Ray or MRI for chronic injury, you do not need MRIs or X-rays for chronic pain before you can start physical therapy. These images are static and don’t show how actual movements affect it so that you can guide yourself.

• Why Are You An Out-of-Network Provider?

  Connecticut Family Physical Therapy is not a health insurance provider because our clients prefer a faster and better experience for their health.  They want to avoid long-waited appointments, and bulk shared care or cookie-cutter treatments covered by most insurance companies.  If you choose to get reimbursed by your insurance company, we will provide the necessary information.  We will help you get reimbursed by providing the forms you need to file a claim with your insurance company. Because not all insurance plans provide for out-of-network care, and not all clients have insurance, we make every effort to set fair fees and to provide great value for the amount of attention, time, and care we take with each individual. 

• What Can I Expect At My First Appointment?

  You can expect to have clarity and understanding of the root cause of your problem and a step-by-step plan to help you get results in the shortest possible time. You will receive your first one-on-one, a hands-on treatment where your therapist will show you what activities to avoid. You and your therapist will decide on a timeline for recovery milestones and what to expect.

• What Do I Bring?

  Please arrive in comfortable, breathable clothes and shoes.   We recommend you clear all distractions and focus on yourself.  Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the start of your appointment. Bottled water and a healthy snack will be provided.

• How Long Will it Take To Get Better?

  You are receiving private, individualized sessions in the absence of aides and technicians. Clients experience shortened time of recovery. You and your therapist will set milestones.

• What Conditions Do You Treat?

  The national average per session cost of physical therapy can range from $30 – $400. However, with a qualified insurance plan (in-network or out-of-network), once your deductible is met, your total out-of-pocket cost typically ranges from $20-$250. If you do not have insurance, you may pay between $50 and $450 per visit. However, your total physical therapy cost will likely be less than a costly MRI. One of the factors that drive prices up or down depends on your geographic area, the skill, and experience of the physical therapist, and the quality and type of treatment you are receiving.  In general, the more hands-on and direct contact you have with the therapist, the range is the type of procedures done in each visit you have with your therapist. To learn how to have success in physical therapy, watch this Free Training.

• Do You Correspond With My Doctor or Surgeons?

  Absolutely!  We regularly communicate with your doctor or surgeon and update them on your progress.

• How long will my therapy sessions last?

  Typically, the first session lasts for 1 hour 15 minutes. Each session after that may be 45-60 minutes. The amount of time will be based on your specific needs, and your therapist will discuss this with you.

• How many sessions will I have?

  Each patient’s diagnosis is different, so together with your referring physician, your therapist will develop a plan of care that is right for you. Your plan of care and number of visits will be determined during your first visit and explained to you by our physical therapist.

• 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.

• 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 arrangements to meet you at your gym to work with you on determining what equipment may be beneficial, and what exercises would be helpful in your continued recovery.