Fitzgerald PT’s very own Dr. Holly Fitzgerald was featured in the December 2021 issue of Winchester Living! She wanted to share questions her and her team receive frequently about PT. Here is the article below:

Hi everyone! I am Holly Fitzgerald – owner and President of Fitzgerald Physical Therapy with locations in Woburn and Melrose. As Physical Therapists in the field on a daily basis, we are constantly asked questions about how it all works. Therefore, I wanted to share these questions with you along with the answers. 

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 have some type of symptom, pain, stiffness, weakness, that is impacting your daily activities. You do not need a prescription from your doctor to come see us. Massachusetts is a direct access state and allows individuals to seek physical therapy 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 examination is warranted, 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. You may need a referral from your insurance company for the services to be covered. We take most insurances and will help walk you through the process.

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

Answer: Each condition has a different rate of healing capability, 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. 

Q: Your mantra is “Patients for Life.” What does this mean?

Answer – This is one of our company missions. We are health care professionals dedicated to providing evidence-based care to examine, diagnose and then prevent or treat conditions that limit the body’s ability to move and function in daily life. Our clinics specialize in orthopedic physical therapy where disorders and injuries to the musculoskeletal system are diagnosed, treated and managed. When we say, “patients for life,” we mean that once you become a patient at Fitzgerald, that you will feel so happy with your experience that you will come back again and again throughout your life when you need PT treatment. 

We want to help you feel better. Visit our website at Fitzgeraldpt.com to learn more or easily book your appointment online now!