Physical Therapy FAQs

• Do I need to see a doctor before making an appointment at AOSMI?

o We do have direct access, allowing patients to be seen for 14 business days without a doctor’s prescription. However, certain insurance carriers require a referral prior to seeing a PT.

• How long are PT sessions?

o All sessions one-on-one for 45-60 minutes. Please come on time or a few minutes early, so you can be seen for the full appointment time.

• What should I bring to my first PT appointment?

o Doctor’s prescription (if applicable), Driver’s license, MRI/xray results if you have them, lists of current medications, and payment for your co-pay or deductible. We ask that you come fifteen minutes early so the front desk and therapist can collect and review your paperwork.

• What should I wear for my appointment?

o Wear loose, comfortable clothing which allow you to expose the area we are working on. Bring or wear shorts if we are examining your back or lower extremities. You are welcome to bring a change of clothes and use our facilities to change.

• How long will I need physical therapy and how often will I have to come?

o The frequency and duration of PT depends on your injury/condition/surgery and the results of your PT evaluation and your doctor’s recommendation. When you come in for your first visit, your therapist will develop an individualized plan of care.

• What is Trigger Point Dry needling/Intramuscular Manual Therapy?

o Needling involves multiple advances of a filament needle into the muscle in the region of a “Trigger Point’. The aim of Dry Needling is to achieve a local twitch response to release muscle tension and pain. Dry needling is an effective treatment for chronic pain of neuropathic origin with very few side effects. This technique is unequalled in finding and eliminating neuromuscular dysfunction that leads to pain and functional deficits. The needle used is very thin and most subjects do not even feel it penetrate the skin. If the muscle is sensitive and shortened or has active trigger points within it, the subject will feel a sensation like a muscle cramp -’the twitch response’. Patients soon learn to recognize and even welcome this sensation as it results in deactivating the trigger point, reducing pain and restoring normal length function to the involved muscle.

• Which insurance do we accept?

o Care First BC/BS PPO

o Anthem PPO

o Cigna PPO

o Cigna Open Access Plus

o GEHA

o United Healthcare

o Medicare Part B

o Aetna Medicare

o Humana Medicare

o MVA

o WC

o OneNet PPO/Alliance

o Aetna PPO & HMO

o Self pay