+ What is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy is a treatment option for people who are looking to maintain, restore, and improve function, movement, activity, and decrease pain levels. Physical Therapy is the dynamic interaction between the Therapist and the patient. It begins with a comprehensive examination to determine the source of the problem. Physical Therapists are experts in dealing with conditions of the musculoskeletal system. Once the examination is complete a treatment plan is devised and discussed with the patient. This may involve the use of modalities (electrical stimulation, ultrasound, traction, etc.), manual therapy (joint mobilization, stretching, tissue release, etc.), and exercise. The goals of the treatment are agreed upon and the focus is to improve the patient's functional level, pain, or activity tolerance.

+ What conditions can be treated with Physical Therapy?

Outpatient physical therapy is appropriate for a wide range of conditions involving the bones, muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons. It is difficult to list all of the diagnoses in which PT would be appropriate but some of the most common conditions treated non-operatively are lower back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, foot & ankle conditions, sports injuries, etc. In addition, outpatient physical therapy is utilized in most post operative cases to assist with getting the patient back to the quality of life they had prior to the surgery. Some of the other services we offer are aquatic physical therapy, orthotic fitting/fabrication, ergonomic evaluations, gait analysis, balance training, etc. We see a variety of conditions, if you do not see your diagnosis listed, please feel free to call us at 513.701.6100.

+ Do I need a physician's referral for Physical Therapy?

No, you can receive physical therapy without a doctor's prescription and we can still bill through your insurance. This will save you time and money! Please note, if you have Medicare or Medicaid you do need a physician's referral.

+ Do I have a choice where I attend Physical Therapy?

Yes, you are allowed to choose where you go for physical therapy. It is the same as when you get a prescription for medicine, you can have it filled at the pharmacy of your choice. The same is true for physical therapy, you can choose where you go.

+ Will my insurance cover Physical Therapy services?

Oxford Physical Therapy Centers accepts most all major insurance providers. Click here to view our participating provider list. During your initial phone call we will take your insurance information. It is our policy to call each new patient's insurance company before they arrive for their first visit. We will find out your physical therapy benefits and/or pre-authorization requirements. We also encourage patients to call their insurance company for policy information. If physical therapy is not covered by your medical plan we will contact you to discuss your options.

+ Is there a way I can fill out the new patient paperwork ahead of time?

Yes, you have the option to electronically submit your patient paperwork ahead of time or print and fill out your patient paperwork. Please click here to access the patient paperwork. If you do not electronically submit or print and fill out your paperwork ahead of time, you'll be required to fill them out at your first appointment. Please note, if you choose to fill out your paperwork at our center, you must arrive 20 minutes early as we do not allow for this within the scheduled appointment time.

+ How do I schedule my appointment?

You may call the center that is conveniently located to you. For a full list of our locations, please click here. You may also call 513.701.6100 to reach any of our 21 locations. Our receptionists will take your contact and insurance information and then work with you to find a day and time that will work for your schedule. Once you arrive for your first appointment we can schedule you for additional visits.

+ What if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?

Please call your center as soon as possible to cancel your therapy appointment. Company policy states, unless you cancel the appointment at least 24 hours in advance we can charge a $40 fee for that missed appointment. We are happy to reschedule you for another day in the week to keep your treatment effective and consistent.

+ What should I bring to my first visit?

Please bring your prescription from your doctor (if you have one), a list of medications, the new patient paperwork, a photo ID, your insurance card, and any other medical information that might be pertinent to your care (i.e. MRI results, CT scan results, etc.)

• Paperwork - you can submit your forms electronically, download and print and fill out your forms prior to your first visit, or if you prefer to fill it out in our center, you can do this 20 minutes before your first appointment is scheduled. Please note, if you choose to fill out your paperwork at our center, you must arrive early as we do not allow for this within the scheduled appointment time. Click here to submit your forms electronically or to download and print out your paperwork.
• Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes such as t-shirts, shorts, sweatpants, athletic shoes, etc. as your physical therapist will be doing an evaluation and this allows for more movement
• Upon checking in with our front office receptionist, you will be asked for your insurance card (if applicable) and a photo ID

+ What should I wear to Physical Therapy?

Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing, i.e. if you are being treated for the shoulder try to wear a t-shirt as opposed to a fitted blouse or dress shirt, wear shorts or loose workout pants if being treated for the hip, ankle, or knee and wear good supportive shoes (tennis shoes instead of sandals or dress shoes please).

+ What should I expect on my first visit?

The first visit will consist of a thorough review of the patient's medical and injury history, followed by an in depth evaluation of the involved body part. Data gathered during this process is then used to begin developing a plan of care specific to the individual's needs. Most likely, each client will receive the beginning of his or her home exercise program, as well as education on diagnosis, prognosis, and management of the current condition. Please remember that each patient is different and reacts differently to physical therapy including the evaluation process. It is important to develop a treatment baseline and that starts with the first visit.

+ How long will my visit last?

Your initial visit will last about one hour, with the follow up visits ranging between one hour and 1.5 hours. We are aware of each individuals time restraints so if you need to leave in a certain amount of time your physical therapist will gladly accommodate your needs to make it convenient for you.

+ How many visits do I have to come to?

That will depend on your diagnosis as some injuries take longer then others to rehab. The average length of visits usually is between 6-12 visits.

+ How is my progress measured?

At your initial visit, your Physical Therapist will perform a thorough examination, using standardized tests and measures, to quantify and qualify your impairments to determine a starting point. This allows your progress to be measured using the same standardized tests upon re-examination. The frequency of your re-examinations will be performed based on your diagnosis and the severity of your impairments. Also, it is important to inform your physical therapist when your follow-up visits are scheduled so progress notes can be sent to your physician to keep them up to date on your treatment.

+ Why do I have different charges for each of my physical therapy visits?

Charges for each visit are determined by which modality is used and the amount of time spent on each modality. This can vary from visit to visit as each visit is structured in a way that the patient gets the greatest benefits from the chosen modalities. The codes being billed can relate to the hands on treatment given, the exercises that the patient is trained and monitored in doing, and the education that the patient is given regarding his or her injury and treatment plan. Because your therapy may vary from one visit to the next, so may your charges for those visits.

+ What is my responsibility in Physical Therapy?

The patient is responsible to be compliant with the therapy program and the home exercises. This will allow for a speedier and safe rehab for the patient. In addition, the patient should provide all pertinent information to the therapist so they can best devise an appropriate rehab program. Communication is key between the therapist and patient so they can work together to reach all of the patient's goals.

+ Will the Physical Therapy be painful?

Physical Therapy should not hurt for the majority of diagnoses but there may be a small amount of muscle soreness 1-2 days following an initial evaluation and the start of an exercise program. We encourage consistent performance of the individual home exercise program and the use of ice for 10-15 minutes post exercise. The patient should stop any activity that creates significant pain immediately and contact their clinician immediately to figure out the best next steps.