As Physical Therapists in the field on a daily basis, we are constantly asked questions about physical therapy and how it all works. Therefore, we wanted to share these questions with you along with answers. Hopefully this will help!

Question: When is the right time to come to PT? Do I need to see my doctor first?

Answer: The right time to come to PT is when you are in some type of physical pain that is impacting your quality of life.  You do not need a prescription from your doctor to come see us. Massachusetts is a direct access state and enables individuals to seek physical therapy care without seeing their physician first. We at Fitzgerald PT like to say “choose PT first.”

Typically, when someone develops an ache or pain, they go to Google and attempt to self-treat. Eventually if the problem doesn’t resolve they may be referred by a friend, family member or physician into our office. What many do not know is that physical therapy can be their first line of defense when combating a musculoskeletal condition. If something is nagging you, just pick up the phone and make an appointment. Upon examination if we feel additional diagnostics or intervention is needed, we can refer you to another care provider as deemed appropriate.

Do I need a prescription/referral for PT?

Answer: a prescription is a written order and a referral is authorization from an insurance company. You do not need a prescription to make an appointment or receive PT treatment. Your insurance carrier however may require a referral. We can aid in this process as we take most insurances.

Question: How long will I need to come to PT for?

Answer: Each condition has different rates of healing capabilities and you want to allow your body time to make the process seamless and lasting. Your therapist will be able to give you a realistic expectation as to when you will be recovered at your first session. Maximizing results not only takes time, but a lot of work and effort on the patient’s part – which requires commitment and patience. 

Healing takes time. The best advice we can give is to be willing to buy-in and get onboard to what the therapist is advising, adhere to the recommended treatment plan and give the process respect. Most conditions will see improvement each session with the average course of care lasting about 6-8 weeks. 

Question: Do you think I should use ice or heat for this? 

Answer: Heat and ice are both considered an inexpensive, easy-to-use treatment option for injuries and pain. If you aren’t sure which to use, consult with your Physical Therapist who will advise you as needed.

When to use ice – Ice helps minimize swelling. By applying an ice pack, bag of frozen vegetables or cold washcloth at the onset of an injury, swelling can be controlled, which minimizes pain. Applying a layer between the ice and your skin is highly recommended.

When to use heat – Using heat causes small blood vessels to open which can stimulate inflammation rather than relieve it. Heat treatments should be used for chronic conditions to help relax and loosen tissues and to stimulate blood flow to the area. Heat can be applied before participating in activities to help limber up. Do not use heat treatments after activity or after an acute injury because heat can cause the swelling to worsen. Heating pads are the most common heat source, but even a hot, wet towel can bring relief.

 At the end of the day ice and heat are both analgesics (pain relievers) so typically we will leave this decision up to patient preference. 

Question: Should I get an MRI or X-ray before coming to PT?

Answer: It’s not necessary to get imaging before coming into therapy as many times it will not change the course of care. If you have had imaging taken already, then please bring it in for added information. Our physical exam is quite thorough and will give us all the information we need to get started. If additional testing is warranted we will direct you to the proper specialist. 

Question: How long are the physical Therapy sessions going to last?

Answer:  At Fitzgerald PT, we book on the half hour, so every 30 minutes the therapist will begin another patient, but you can expect to be here between 30-60 minutes. You will always have your 1-1 time with your practitioner however if your plan involves a comprehensive exercise plan you may be in the clinic longer completing your corrective activities. 

Question: What should I do between physical therapy visits?

Answer:  Your physical therapist will prescribe appropriate activities (exercises, stretches, manual interventions etc) that are specific to your condition, for you to do between visits to maximize the benefit of your physical therapy experience. Your success with PT is dependent on your ability to perform the prescribed regimen outside of the office. This gives the clinician feedback on what is working and what may need to be adjusted. It also speeds the overall timeline to recovery along. 

Question: Should I stretch before I exercise?

 Answer: Dynamic stretching is the best activity to perform prior to your workout. A dynamic stretch is an active motion that mimics movements that you will be doing during your workout such as arm circles, lunging or leg swings for the hamstrings. These movements prepare your muscles and ligaments for activity as opposed to the usual static stretching which involves holding a muscle at its end range for a set amount of time. Static stretching has been shown to decrease muscle production and force for a period of time. Therefore, it is a better activity to do after you exercise.

Question: What do I do if I feel that I’m not progressing in my PT?

Answer: If you don’t feel like you are progressing, speak up. Have an honest conversation with your PT to let them know. Adjustments or modifications may be made to the treatment plan or a referral to a complementary provider for consultation/imaging may be recommended. Our therapists will seek feedback each session and throughout the session. If you feel progress is stalled we will likely feel the same way and pivot in another direction. 

We are happy to answer any further questions you may have regarding PT! Please give us a call at 781-321-7000 or visit us at Fitzgeraldpt.com to learn more.