Since 1992, the state of RI has had direct access to PT services. Direct access means a physician referral is not needed to receive PT services. After 90 calendar days, if a patient is still in treatment, they must then be referred to a physician. For more information, refer to the State Statute. Although state law does not require a physician referral for PT, some insurance companies require a physician’s referral. Please contact your insurance company regarding your policy and/or our office for further information. A referral is needed for Occupational Therapy.

• Obtain a referral from your physician if required
• Complete the new patient paperwork and mail, drop off, or bring to your initial evaluation appointment.
• Obtain any radiological studies (i.e. MRI, X-ray, CAT scan) and bring to first appointment.

At your first visit, you should arrive with your completed paperwork, which can be found under information for patients/new patient paperwork, or at our office. We will ask you for your prescription/referral if it has not already been faxed from your doctor’s office. We will make a copy of your insurance card and driver’s license. After the preliminaries are taken care of, you will be seen and evaluated by your Physical or Occupational Therapist. During this evaluation, you will discuss any previous problems, your pain intensity, the activities that aggravate/ease your pain, how the problem limits your functioning, and your individual goals for therapy. After you provide the therapist with an understanding of your problem, an objective evaluation will be performed. This will include:

• Posture assessment – we’ll assess overall alignment and force vectors, especially as it interrelates to your complaint of pain.
• Palpation – with skilled hands, we will assess for areas of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue restrictions and abnormalities, inflammation, tissue temperature, and other indicators.
• Range of Motion – by moving the joint, the therapist will be able to assess the quality of movement and any restrictions.
• Muscle Testing – muscle contraction strength and quality will be assessed.
• Neurological Screening – by testing for touch, pain, vibration, or temperature, the therapist can check how well the nerves are communicating with your muscles. Reflexes will also be assessed.
• Special Tests – these tests can be performed to confirm or rule out any specific problems.

After determining your problems and how they correlate with one another, the therapist will develop a plan for treating the problems. This plan will be developed from the therapist’s knowledge and your own personal thoughts and insights. Together, you will determine the frequency and duration of treatment, the goals of treatment, your home exercise program, and the expectations after discharge. Patient education is an integral part of this plan.

Loose fitting clothes are most appropriate. For low back or lower extremity dysfunction, shorts and a loose fitting shirt are recommended. For shoulder injuries, a tank top or sleeveless shirt is helpful, but not mandatory.

 

 

Physical Therapist, as well as Occupational Therapists, can specialize in certain aspects of their job. Below are some specialized forms of therapy we include in our treatment:

• Orthopedic Physical Therapy – this type of therapy focuses on post-surgical care, arthritis, tendonitis, fractures, muscle sprain or strain, craniosacral pain, problems with the hips or knees, shoulders, elbows, and wrists.
• Manual therapy
• Geriatric physical therapy
• Sports rehabilitation
• Fitness and wellness
• Hand therapy
• Prenatal physical therapy
• Pediatric physical and occupational therapy

Visit our services page for more information about the wide range of services we offer!

 

You will remain with the same therapist from your initial evaluation to your discharge. Consultation with other therapists may occur to utilize the diverse experience of our team.