Why early physical therapy intervention makes a difference
The question we at DB Orthopedic Physical Therapy are asked all the time is, "Do I need to see a doctor first beforing coming in?" The answer is quite simple - NO! There are a few insurance plans that require a referral but that would be the same if you saw any specialist. A couple of exceptions are Medicare, which requires a physician to sign off on our plan so it is prudent to make them aware of your problem. In addition, if you have a motor vehicle accident, NJ PIP regulations require you to see a physician before starting physical therapy.
What are some examples of problems that can be immediately evaluated and treated with physical therapy? Pain in the lower back, neck, shoulder, knee, ankle, foot, etc. We also treat ankle sprain, muscle strain, tendinitis, limited joint mobility and more.
Here's a real life example of how we effectively treat pain early and effectively. A current patient, a high school athlete with chronic anterior knee pain didn't know where to turn for treatment. Her parents chose to initiate physical therapy instead of a visit to the pediatrician or orthopedic specialist which would have been very costly and would have sent her to physical therapy as a course of action anyway. By visiting us for a consultation first, we were able to identify her problem quickly and establish a successful plan of care. She immediately began to feel better and went on to score the first goal of the season for her team!
The key to successful healing is to receive a comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint the area of concern. Then a treatment plan can be established. At any time, when the findings are beyond our level of expertise, a referral to the proper specialist will be made. Not sure about whether you need treatment? Call db Orthopedic Physical Therapy, PC at 732-747-1262 anytime for a consultation.
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