Since 2000, all physical therapy schools transitioned to a Master degree program. Within the last decade more and more schools are transitioning to Clinical Doctorate programs. It is the goal of the American Physical Therapy Association to have every physical therapist obtain a doctorate degree by the year 2020. All physical therapy programs are just as intense and competitive as medical school. Much of the same information is taught, with more emphasis on body function and biomechanics. See similar questions...

Forty-three states have some form of direct access. Some state physical therapy practice acts require a diagnosis before a patient can see a therapist (this is the case in California, Michigan, and Colorado to name a few). Other states allow patients to go directly to physical therapists. In most cases, if you are not making significant improvement within 30 days, the therapist will refer you to/back to your physician. See similar questions...

The physical therapist will determine what type of exercises to provide you and will also determine how frequently to see you. Most of the exercising is done at home, because it can be inconvenient and costly to visit the physical therapist frequently. You will usually receive pictures of the exercises that you are asked to perform, as it is hard to remember everything that you are told during your visit. Subsequent visits generally last approximately 45 minutes to one hour. See similar questions...

The number of visits can range from once every week or two, up to two times a week. The duration of your care could range from one or two visits up to several months, depending on your problem. Generally, people with BPPV need fewer visits than do people with inner ear problems in both ears, or dizziness caused by a brain disorder. Your therapist should discuss the frequency of your planned visits with you during your initial visit. See similar questions...

A Physical Therapist is a licensed health care professional. They help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. See similar questions...

Sandy Physical Therapy we treat a wide variety of injuries stemming from work, car accident, sports or disease. We specialize in treatment of orthopedic problems. These include neck and low back pain, shoulder, elbow, knee, and foot injuries, posture problems, TMJ and repetitive work injuries. We also provide rehabilitation after surgery for rotator cuff repair, total knee replacement, ACL reconstruction, ankle reconstruction, disc surgery of the spine and sport or exercise related injuries. See similar questions...

Jeffrey Flocker holds a master's degree in physical therapy and is certified massage therapist. He has completed the small animal rehab certification course through the University of Tennessee Veterinary School and is a CCRP-certified canine rehab practitioner. This certificate program is the equivalent of an advanced practice specialty. He has also completed all courses taught by the Canine Rehab Institute in Wellington, Florida Tracker--total hip placement which failed and 2 femoral fractures. See similar questions...

Who is better to see, a PT that works for a physician or a PT that owns a private practice? We leave it up to you to draw your own conclusions but here are some facts. The studies indicate there were more treatments (visits per patient were 39% to 45% higher in physician owned clinics) and the cost was greater for those patients that attended a physician owned physical therapy practice (both gross and net revenue per patient were 30% to 40% higher) (1). See similar questions...

Oftentimes, your physician will give you a recommendation or a listing of physical therapists in your area. Sometimes your insurance company will guide you with regard to who is "in network" for your insurance plan. If you have a specific request, you need to let your physician or insurance company know. Ultimately, however, the decision as to where you receive your care is up to you. Back to Top See similar questions...

The physical therapist usually will send you some forms home to complete prior to your first visit. These forms help shorten the questions that the therapist will ask you and will also serve as a systematic way to make sure that they do not forget to ask you important questions. From the forms, the physical therapist will ask you additional questions so that they can better appreciate and understand your problems. See similar questions...

Physical therapy is an integral part of your recovery. I may have you see a therapist once before surgery and 4-5 days after the surgery. The therapist and I will decide if more supervised therapy is necessary. See similar questions...

Physical Therapists will often need a diagnosis from a licensed health care professional who is authorized by his or her license to diagnose (i.e. physicians, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, etc.). A Physical Therapist may evaluate a patient without a diagnosis; one is required prior to the physical therapist providing any treatment. Once you have a diagnosis, the physical therapist will implement a personalized treatment plan for you. See similar questions...