What To Expect

At Rainier Physical Therapy, we hope that most people will never have a need for physical therapy over the course of their lives. However, when new patients come through our door, they tend to have common questions regarding the benefits of physical therapy and the insurance process. Here are some of the ones we usually get asked:

1. How can physical therapy help me?
A physical therapist can evaluate your condition and identify the source of your discomfort or dysfunction. Once evaluated, the therapist can develop a treatment program that will usually involve some form of manual therapy and exercise, as well as modalities if they are needed to treat the problem areas.

You will also receive instruction in a home exercise program as well as education on proper body mechanics and posture to prevent re-injury. We are experts in combining hands on treatment techniques, exercise, and education to relieve pain, as well as restore motion and strength.

2. How long does a physical therapy visit last?
Typically the first visit of physical therapy will last about an hour. Future visits can be as short as thirty minutes but commonly are around about an hour as you build upon previous visits and work your back into normal activity. Every patient and condition we treat is different, so we try to individualize the visit to your needs.

3. Does my insurance cover physical therapy?
Medical insurance generally covers physical therapy treatment. However, each insurance plan is different. You can check with your insurance carrier to determine your coverage. Or, if you prefer, you can call us today and our staff will be glad to assist you in determining your benefits.

Our staff strives to verify benefits before your first visit and use that first visit to educate you about deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and any limitation your insurance plan has for physical therapy. The better we can explain these items, the better you can be at ease to what your financial responsibility might be. We are also more than happy to discuss payment options in case your plan has a high deductible or does not have benefits for physical therapy.

4. Do I have to go to a certain physical therapy office if I have a prescription from my doctor for physical therapy?
No. You can choose any physical therapy that accepts your insurance and has experience in your condition. We encourage all patients whether they come to our office or somewhere else to find the right fit for you. Physical therapy can involve therapy at a frequency of two or more visits per week. You should find an office that will best meet your needs.

5. Do I need a prescription to see a physical therapist?
In most cases, the answer is no. The majority of insurances that you would have from your job or through someone in your home allow you to see a physical therapist for 30 days without a prescription. It is common for our patients return to physical therapy if they have a small setback for that condition or other issues without a prescription.

Our physical therapist will screen patients during the evaluation and determine if their condition is appropriate to treat here or refer out to a physician for further diagnosis. This type of treatment without a prescription is called direct access.

Contact our clinic with additional questions or concerns about your experience as a new physical therapy patient. We proudly serve residents of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, as well as those in Wexford, Mars, Adams Township, and Seven Fields.