Frequently Asked Questions

Nope! Valerio has a Direct Access PT license.

In PA, PT can be granted a direct access license, after proving to have enough experience. This allows you to get evaluated and treated for 30 days without a prescription or referral from your physician. 

 On your first visit, your therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine what deficits and/or problems you have that can be addressed in therapy. The evaluation involves a thorough history, objective tests and measurements, followed by your therapist’s assessment of the specific problems you present with. A treatment program will be developed, aimed at resolving the problems identified. Your therapist will then work with you to set attainable goals. 

You can expect the initial visit to last between 1 and 1.5 hours.

Treatment time will vary according to what the therapist finds in the evaluation. There is no specific time limit for therapy. Whatever is found to be appropriate during the evaluation will become part of the patient’s program. The program will be updated as appropriate as the patient improves. In general, therapy treatments last anywhere from 1/2 hour to 1 hour with somewhat longer time being necessary for this first visit because of the evaluation.

Because your therapist will perform a meticulous evaluation, quantifying and qualifying all the deficits and problems you are presenting with, re-evaluation and re-measurement to determine progress are possible. You will be re-evaluated on a periodic basis, the frequency of which will depend upon your diagnosis as well as the chronicity of the problem.

In general, patients are re-evaluated anywhere from two to six weeks. Additionally, the therapist should always be informed of follow-up visits with your physician as a re-evaluation will be performed so the physician can be updated at that time.

 The goal at The Whole PT is to resolve your problem completely, or provide you with the tools necessary to maintain the improvements achieved through therapy, so you do not require continual follow-up or maintenance care. There are some patients who do require follow-up care or re-assessment on a periodic basis, but that will be discussed with you once you are in therapy or at discharge. 

 In general, starting therapy should be done as early as possible. Initiating therapy early on will reduce the overall treatment time you will require by not allowing the problem to become chronic. If you are in pain and or you are in an acute state, your program will be modified according to your signs and symptoms. What is done for you in therapy depends on the clinical stage you are presenting in, not just the diagnosis. Therefore, your care will be modified according to the signs and symptoms during the acute, subacute, and chronic phases of your problem. 

 Simply call us or send us an email and we will be in touch with you for an appointment. Our hours are flexible but need to be discussed with the PT. 

 In general, wear comfortable clothing to therapy. If you are presenting with a problem of your cervical spine, upper back or shoulders, the therapist will ideally want to have easily access to these areas for treatment. If you are coming for a lower extremity problem, shorts are important. You can bring whatever you like to wear with you if you need to change at the clinic. Non-skid shoes, such as tennis shoes, will be needed for safe exercise and gait activities. 

 For your first visit, you will need any paperwork sent to you requiring completion, as well as your doctor's referral. If you have any operative reports, MRI or X-ray results, you may bring those as well, but they are not necessary. Additionally, if you are utilizing any type of brace, splint, or crutches, those should come with you also. 

 If you have increased symptoms, please call your therapist. He will be able to review your clinical record and discuss the best course of action for you. The therapist will give you guidelines as to what would be appropriate to reduce your symptoms, whether you need to come into the office, or if you should contact or follow-up with your physician.

It is best to call the clinic prior to calling your physician because if a change in symptoms has occurred, it is important the clinic contact your physician with a report so he/she can be up to date on your care when you see him/her for a follow-up visit.

 In therapy, the goals should be to resolve your problem, not just temporarily relieve it. Although medication and other forms of treatment can be helpful in relieving symptoms, therapy produces a long term result. Depending on your diagnosis, the physician may opt to utilize medication in conjunction with therapy. Additionally, unlike some other forms of treatment, therapy is not designed to progress as a maintenance program. Our goal is to resolve your problem; therefore, maintenance is not generally necessary. 

 We ask that our patients:

• Give 24 hours notice for cancellations, when possible. We utilize answering machines or services after hours of operation.
• Call if you have a question, concern, or if you will be late. We will do our best to fit you in, but need to know in advance in consideration of other patients.
• Be on time.
• Notify your therapist at least one week prior to returning to your physician. The therapist must have this date in order to properly schedule a re-evaluation for you to update your physician on your progress.

 We are partners in your recovery. Your therapist cannot do it without you! We ask all patients cooperate by following through with their home exercise programs and instructions as this is extremely important in expediting your recovery.