Physical Therapy

Physical therapists diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with illnesses, or injuries that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities as well as they would like in their daily lives. By examining individuals and developing a plan using treatment techniques they are able to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Therapy can also help individuals prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

When to see a physical therapist:

• Specific known issues, e.g. lower back pain due to spinal stenosis
• Non-specific, unknown pain issues: lower back, neck, persistent or acute pain, etc.
• After-trauma injuries: ankle twist, shoulder luxation, knee injuries like ACL tear, etc.
• After-operation rehabilitation: knee, hip, spine, hand-related, etc.
• Other movement-related issues: Scoliosis, Scheuermann’s disease, etc

How is physical therapy conducted at FirstMed?

First, the initial session

The first session starts with observing your posture and whole body to find sources of malalignment. Physical evaluation and tests for:

• Strength
• Range of motion
• Flexibility
• Balance
• Joint mobility
• Neurological dynamics test
• Other questions regarding current health to assess the body’s ability to handle PT interventions

Individual physical therapy plan

Based on the findings at the initial session, our physical therapist will develop a short- and long-term therapy plan tailored to your needs.

The treatment plan may consist of one or both approaches:

• ‘hands-on’, meaning touching of the affected area; physical agents such as heat, ice, ultrasound, or soft laser may be used.
• ‘hands-off’, e.g., specific exercises designed to improve the affected area.

Exercises and postural realignment advice will be demonstrated and taught, along with new approaches, methods, and skills.

When needed, follow-up sessions may include exercise therapy, manual therapy, electrotherapy, or a blend of these techniques. It is always personalized and unique.

Only by a medical referral

Please note that a medical referral from a qualified specialist (an external or FirstMed doctor) is required to receive physical therapy. If you do not have a referral, you will need to schedule a doctor’s consultation before beginning treatment. For medical consultation fees, please refer to our price list or the conditions of our plans.

Most private health insurance plans cover physical therapy. We can facilitate direct billing to your insurance company to cover the costs.