SOL FAQ's
You've got questions, we've got answers. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions here at SOL Physical Therapy.
General Questions
Physical Therapy Questions
Active Release Technique® Questions
General Questions
Will my treatment be covered by insurance?
SOL Physical Therapy contracts with most insurance companies in the East Bay and the San Francisco Bay area, and most physical therapy services are covered under the insurance contracts we hold. Non-physical therapy services are not routinely covered by insurance however, and you will most likely be responsible for payment of these services.
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Do I need a physician referral before receiving treatment?
No. A physician referral is not necessary prior to receiving any of the services provided by SOL Physical Therapy. In instances where physician referral is required in order to bill your insurance company, we will gladly submit documentation to your physician for required signature.
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What should I wear to my treatment sessions?
Wear comfortable, preferably loose-fitting, clothing to your sessions. You may be asked to change into a gown or clothing that we have on-hand if your clothing restricts movement or visibility required of your clinical provider.
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Physical Therapy Questions
What do I need in order to schedule a physical therapy appointment at SOL?
Scheduling a physical therapy appointment at SOL is an easy process. You may see a physical therapist in the state of California for evaluation purposes without a referral or prescription, and you can see a physical therapist for prevention, wellness and fitness. For an injury or bodily dysfunction, you must have a medical diagnosis before physical therapy treatment and we will work with your referring physician as a team to make sure physical therapy is appropriate for your condition. Please contact your medical provider to get a physical therapy referral.
Your medical provider will need to see you for an appointment to evaluate your disorder. Your insurance company may accept prescriptions from a medical physician, chiropractor, or physician’s assistant.
For you to see other practitioners outside of physical therapy in our office, it is not required that you receive a medical referral. This includes acupuncture, Pilates conditioning, or massage therapy. However, for these services to be likely covered under your medical insurance policy, it is suggested that you receive a referral from your medical practitioner.
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Following my initial evaluation, when will my physical therapy treatment begin?
Physical therapy treatment normally begins on the same day as your initial evaluation. For conditions requiring an extended evaluation process, physical therapy treatment may begin with the next session. Depending on scheduling, this would normally be scheduled within a few days after evaluation.
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What should I bring to my first physical therapy visit?
At SOL Physical Therapy, we make every effort to get you started with your first appointment within 24 to 48 hours of your request. Sometimes we can even accommodate same-day appointments. On your first visit to SOL Physical Therapy for physical therapy services, please wear (or bring) loose-fitting clothing, your insurance card, any medical or other records that you would like us to review, your referral for physical therapy from your physician (if you have one), and the intake forms required for your first visit (these forms can be downloaded here). By coming prepared for your first visit, this will help us ensure that your visit will be a productive first step toward getting you back to your prior level of function.
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What should I expect during my first physical therapy visit?
If possible, we ask that you please arrive five to ten minutes early to your first appointment. You will be greeted by our friendly receptionist and we will get your paperwork going so that your physical therapist can address your clinical needs and our administrative staff can process your insurance billing (if appropriate).
During your first visit to SOL Physical Therapy, you’ll be evaluated by a physical therapist and asked certain questions about your condition and medical history. We will ask you detailed questions including how the pain started and what activities aggravate or ease your condition. Following this question and answer session, a thorough physical examination will be performed. The physical therapist will evaluate your strength, mobility and physical performance. Special tests, movement and functional tests may also be performed.
Possible causes or origins of the problem are discussed with you, and significant findings are outlined in detail. A plan of care is then recommended and is based on your specific goals. Once identified, a goal-directed treatment plan is formulated from which we will then work together to achieve over the course of your physical therapy treatment.
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Will my physical therapy take place at the SOL Physical Therapy facility, or will I be required to do exercises at home as well?
A home exercise program is often an appropriate adjunct to facility-based treatment sessions. It is essential that any home exercise program prescribed by your physical therapist be completed regularly in order to achieve a full and timely recovery.
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How often will I need to come to physical therapy at SOL Physical Therapy?
Most patients at SOL Physical Therapy require one to two treatment sessions per week over a period of four to six weeks. For severe conditions, treatment may extend over a longer period, however this is highly individualized depending upon the nature of the condition and the goals identified during your evaluation session.
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How long does each physical therapy session last?
Most physical therapy sessions last approximately 60 minutes.
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How many physical therapy visits will I need?
This really depends upon your goals and condition. During your initial evaluation session (and sometimes extending into the first few treatment sessions), your physical therapist will help identify and communicate to you an estimated prognosis duration required to achieve your stated goals. Courses of treatment range from as few as a single session to 12 or more treatment sessions for complicated or severe conditions.
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Can I see a physical therapist at SOL Physical Therapy without seeing my physician first?
For wellness purposes in the state of California, physical therapists can see clients for fitness, conditioning, performance enhancement, and maintenance care without a physician referral or prescription. If you are seeking physical therapy care following an injury, we can recommend a physician to you in order to obtain a prescription or referral for physical therapy if appropriate. Physical therapists at SOL Physical Therapy work as part of your medical team and have strong relationships with the top physicians and specialists in the East Bay and the San Francisco Bay area.
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Does insurance cover my physical therapy sessions at SOL Physical Therapy?
Most likely. SOL Physical Therapy works with most of the top insurance companies in the East Bay and the San Francisco Bay area, and will gladly bill your insurance for services rendered. There are instances where some services or programs are not covered by insurance, and we will do our best to keep you well informed of your financial obligations to SOL Physical Therapy for the services you receive. Generally speaking, fitness, wellness, and performance enhancement programs are not covered as part of most insurance plans, despite their high value to your overall health.
Prior to your first visit, we will ask you important questions regarding insurance coverage. Please bring your insurance card for us to copy. We will need information including your ID, group number, birth date and that of the insurance subscriber if not yourself. We will call to verify physical therapy insurance benefits and suggest that you do the same.
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Can you explain why I hurt? I don't remember doing anything forceful or traumatic.
There are a number of ways to sustain an injury, not all of which require a traumatic, or even memorable, event. Macrotrauma is the type of injury that you will know about. Falling off of a ladder and breaking a leg is an example of macrotrauma. Microtrauma on the other hand sometimes goes unnoticed until weeks, months, or even years have passed, over which time the body has accumulated significant trauma which eventually manifests as pain or dysfunction. Examples of microtrauma include repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow. Physical therapists at SOL Physical Therapy are highly trained in the areas of macro and microtrauma, so even if you don't know how you became injured, it's likely that our experts will be able to help figure it out.
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Why should I see a physical therapist?
Quite simply, because physical therapy works. Physical therapy is an evidence-based and conservative healthcare option for management of virtually all neuro, muscular, and skeletal conditions. Physical therapists are specialists in this unique field, and can help persons afflicted with conditions in these areas regain normal movement patterns, functional abilities, and pain-free daily life.
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What happens if my problem recurrs? Can I come back to see my physical therapist?
Exacerbations and flare-ups are not uncommon with musculoskeletal injuries. If you have a flare-up, we definitely want you to give us a call. We may suggest that you come back in to see us for a brief assessment, or we may recommend that you visit your personal physician. Either way, we are here for you anytime you need us, and we are more than happy to help.
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My physician has given me a prescription that specifies another physical therapy clinic. Can I still go to SOL Physical Therapy for physical therapy treatment?
You have the right to choose your physical therapy provider. Your physician may make recommendations based on the relationship that she or he has with other physical therapy providers, and you have the right to request any provider you wish. If you'd like to use us as your physical therapy provider, you may bring your physician prescription to us and we will be happy to discuss your choice with your physician if appropriate. Note that your insurance company sometimes pays at different rates depending on the physical therapy facility you choose, and we will be happy to discuss your out-of-pocket costs with you as you select your physical therapy practice.
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Can physical therapists provide me with a diagnosis?
In most states, physical therapists are not licensed to make a medical diagnosis. Physical therapists are trained, however to determine the cause of neuro, muscular, and skeletal conditions based on a thorough history and physical examination. This is often referred to as a "functional diagnosis," which is then be used by the physicl therapist to craft a customized plan of treatment consistent with your functional goals.
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Active Release Technique® Questions
What is Active Release Technique®?
Active Release Technique® (ART®) is a specialized soft tissue intervention that effectively minimizes the development of scar tissue and adhesions which follow injury. Scarring and tissue adhesions which occur in the soft tissue of the body can lead to pain, weakness, immobility, and generalized dysfunction - all of which are addressed through the use of the specialized ART® approach.
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Where did Active Release Technique® come from?
Active Release Technique® was developed and patented by Dr. Michael Leahy. Through the course of practice, Dr. Leahy came to understand that many of his patients' symptoms were related to changes in soft tissue - changes that could be palpated (felt by hand). Through clinical exploration, Dr. Leahy developed an approach - the Active Release Technique® approach - which resolved his patients' symptoms through specialized manual intervention within the soft tissues.
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Who can benefit from Active Release Technique®?
Anyone suffering from a soft tissue dysfunction caused by repetitive strain or overused muscles can benefit from Active Release Technique®.
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What is the difference between Active Release Technique® and traditional massage therapy?
While ART® and massage therapy are complementary therapies, Active Release Technique® is distinctly different from massage in its focus on the presence of scar tissue. ART® effectively minimizes the restrictions imposed by scar tissue by reducing adhesions in muscular tissue, whereas massage therapy does not focus on this element of the muscular tissue.
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As a patient, what should I expect during Active Release Technique® sessions?
Active Release Technique® is a safe and conservative approach to scar tissue, which is addressed by external manipulation of adhesions within your muscles. To achieve the benefits associated with ART®, manual pressure on the skin and underlying tissues will be felt. This pressure can be uncomfortable at times, especially within the first couple of sessions. As adhesions are released, a temporary duplication of the pain associated with your injury may be experienced. When this occurs, this is evidence that the correct issue has been identified b your ART® provider, and that a positive outcome is on its way.
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Are injuries likely to return following Active Release Technique® therapy?
Part of the therapy provided by SOL Physical Therapy always involves helping you to avoid future episodes of similar injury. As such, you will be provided with specific instructions regarding home exercises and interventions which will act as an important adjunct to your in-clinic therapies. Your level of compliance with these instructions, as well as your willingness to avoid the repetitive movements which caused your initial injury will determine whether or not you remain injury free.
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Can Active Release Technique® help me to perform better?
You bet! One of the core benefits of ART® is its ability to help improve your performance by optimizing the function of your muscular system. By reducing the adhesions and restrictions in your muscular tissue, your body will be able to move more efficiently, generating more speed and power than is possible when muscular adhesions are intact.
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