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What will happen during a visit to Shoreline Physical Therapy? Is there anything I should bring with me? How are physical therapists educated? How are physical therapist assistants educated? Who can benefit from occupational therapy? How does occupational therapy work? Will my insurance cover my physical or occupational therapy? What will happen during a visit to Shoreline Physical Therapy? Your first visit will last about one hour. You will fill out the paperwork, and verify insurance information with the receptionist. Your therapist will then sit down with you to learn about your recent injury and your past medical history. She'll ask about your work, hobbies, sports, and help you to set goals to return to full activity. She'll then examine the injured body part, and develop a plan of care. It is typical to work first on relieving pain and/or swelling then on gaining flexibility and strength, and finally on facilitating a return to full activity. We try to determine the underlying cause of the problem, so that we can prevent recurrence of the injury. Toward this purpose, we discuss activities of daily living and body mechanics as well as specific techniques of sport or work. Each treatment plan is individualized. If it is appropriate, you will learn an exercise program to continue at home between visits. Our rule of thumb is that you should not experience an increase in your painful symptoms for more than 2 hours after therapy. It is typical when starting any new activity to develop a little soreness. While this is to be expected, we make every effort to keep you as comfortable as possible. We will develop the treatment plan together. Your therapist will explain the rationale for each aspect of your care, and will be able to advise you of how much soreness to expect. It is your responsibility to report your reaction to each visit so that the intervention can be modified appropriately. Is there anything I should bring with me?
How are physical therapists educated? The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) accredits colleges and universities with physical therapy programs. Physical therapy students earn a master's degree before they can take a state licensure exam. The curriculum includes courses in anatomy and physiology, pathology, kinesiology, psychology, child development, sports, geriatrics, therapeutic exercise, modalities, research and statistics, biology, pharmacy, chemistry, and physics. Student physical therapists treat patients for five months under supervision before taking the licensure exam. How are physical therapist assistants educated? Physical therapist assistants earn an associates degree after attending an APTA accredited 2-year program. The education focuses on anatomy & physiology, pathology, psychology, pediatrics, geriatrics, sports, modalities, and therapeutic exercise. They also complete clinical internships before taking their state licensure exams. Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational Therapy gives people the "Skills for the Job of Living" they need to live satisfying lives. Services typically include:
Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury. The occupational therapist enters the field with a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. The occupational therapy assistant generally earns an associate's degree. Practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings, and pass a national examination. Most states also regulate occupational therapy practice. Who Benefits from Occupational Therapy? A wide variety of people can benefit from occupational therapy, including those with
Every day, countless people of all ages experience problems that significantly affect their ability to manage their daily lives. With the help of occupational therapy, many of these individuals can achieve or regain a high level of independence. From the infant with a birth defect or injury to the person affected by aging, occupational therapy helps people make the most of their abilities When skill and strength cannot be developed or improved, occupational therapy offers creative solutions and resources for carrying out the person's daily activities. Will my insurance cover my physical or occupational therapy? We can help you find out. Not every insurance company provides guaranteed coverage for physical and occupational therapy. In addition, co-payments may be different than what you pay to visit a physician, and a limit on the number of visits per year may be imposed. We can help with your responsibility as a patient to get a straight answer from your insurance company about the extent of your coverage. We recommend doing this before you begin your therapy. We accept many insurance policies, including:
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Home | Meet the Staff | Directions & Contact Us | Patients | Physicians & Educators | Therapists
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