What to Expect

Your First Physical Therapy Appointment at IPT

During your initial visit at Integrative Physiotherapy, you will have a 40 minute initial evaluation with a physiotherapist to give you a diagnosis. As a patient, you should be prepared to go through a review of medical history, including past injuries, surgeries, and areas of pain or soreness. It is likely you will have to perform comprehensive tests to determine range of motion, gait, balance, and reflexes. These initial tests determine the best modes of treatment for optimal outcomes. We then establish realistic goals and expectations within an appropriate time frame.

At IPT our treatment focuses on body mechanics – that is, how the body functions while performing physical activities. This approach bolsters overall functionality and enhances sport performance. IPT’s treatment philosophy is based upon current best evidence-based practice in conjunction with innovative new methods to improve recovery time and prevent further injury. Our patients have referred to our physical therapy style as half Pilates and half cross-fit for all ages and abilities. Come with an open mind and a readiness to work!

You can learn more about our “Fresh Perspective” here.

FAQ’s

Question:

Who would benefit from the help of Integrative Physiotherapy?

Answer:

Anyone experiencing physical discomfort during activities they perform on a regular or semi-regular basis.

The following pathologies are examples (not an exhaustive list) of some of the injuries and medical conditions that have been successfully treated at Integrative Physiotherapy:
• Arthritis • Back/neck pain • Balance problems • Chronic Pain Syndromes • Circulatory problems • Digestive problems, GERD • Disc herniation or bulges • Fibromyalgia • Guillain-Barre • Headaches/migraines • Joint pain or stiffness • Multiple Sclerosis • Muscle cramping • Neurological conditions • Numerous others • Pinched nerves • Sciatica • Scoliosis • Spinal cord injuries • Sprains • Strains • TBI • TMJ (Jaw Disorders)

Despite our focus above on injuries, you don’t have to be injured to benefit from physical therapy. Many of the injuries that are treated at Integrative Physiotherapy could have been prevented through proactive strength and balance training. Among other benefits, IPT teaches a proactive mind-body awareness that will help you to reduce or avoid future injuries, reduce wear and tear on your body during regular activities and live an overall healthier and happier life.

Question:

What is involved in a typical appointment?

Answer:

Post-evaluation appointments are typically 40 minutes; however, 1hour appointments can be accommodated if requested and covered by their insurance. Appointments will flow from one to the next, so in this sense you will not be surprised by what’s coming each time you visit. A routine will quickly fall into place, involving body work on the first appointment of the week and kinetic chain training in the gym on the second appointment or vice versa. Recommended personal training exercises will be dynamic, changing every few visits or weeks. Constant re-evaluations will be a common theme of your visits to measure progress and insure quality care.

Question:

How often do most patients see their physical therapist at Integrative Physiotherapy?

Answer:

The severity of the injury or pain initially determines how many times a week a patient needs to be treated. As a patient progresses and pain decreases, bi-weekly appointments will be reduced to weekly sessions and so on. How quickly appointment visits decrease in regularity will depend on the injury, the overall condition of the patient at the onset of treatment, and the patient’s commitment to getting better. Patient recovery is going to be driven by motivation and willingness to work hard including completing a weekly home/gym exercise routine provided by the clinic. The patients that work the hardest are going to reach their recovery goals faster!

Question:

Is physical therapy going to be painful?

Answer:

Chronic and acute injuries are often painful, which will be a primary motivator that brings you to Integrative Physiotherapy. At this stage, when you arrive at the clinic, we do all that we can to monitor and accommodate the discomfort that you may experience during therapy. We remind our patients that recovering from an injury will most likely not be pain-free and that pain will be experienced at some point in the process. We also encourage our patients to keep in mind that pain is often an important brain processing signal used in therapy and with many injuries the patient will regain function before they are pain-free. Throughout the recovery process, our goal will be to minimize your discomfort and educate you on what that means for your therapy.

Question:

What happens at the first appointment?

Answer:

The first appointment consists of a 40 minute evaluation. Every patient should arrive wearing work-out attire appropriate for bending, reaching and squatting and that allows for complete access to the area for which they are seeking treatment. New patient paperwork forms are emailed to new patients to complete and bring to their first appointment. If you do not have access to a printer, please arrive 10-15 minutes early to your appointment in order to complete the necessary forms. This will ensure that the full appointment time can be dedicated to history taking, differential diagnosis and treatment. Please remember to bring any relevant medical documentation such as MRI’s, X-rays, physician referral, etc.

Question:

What should I bring to my initial appointment?

Answer:

Patients should come wearing clothing they can work-out in for every visit including appropriate foot wear (i.e. tennis shoes). Otherwise, on the first visit please bring the following if applicable:
1. Insurance card
2. Current driver’s license or state/federal issued ID card
3. Physician referral if required by your insurance company to cover your visit (Worker’s Comp, Tricare, Medicare or others)
4. Other medical documentation that is pertinent to your injury, such as MRI’s, X-rays, physician notes, etc.

Question:

What insurances are accepted?

Answer:

We are in network with United Healthcare, Cigna, Tricare, Medicare and Medicaid. We do accept other insurances, but coverage depends on the patient’s benefits through the company. Call for more information and an eligibility check.

Question:

What payments does Integrative Physiotherapy accept?

Answer:

We accept checks, cash, HSA and credit/debit cards. Cash or check are preferred. Please be prepared to pay at each appointment, or at the end of each week.

Question:

How do I make an appointment?

Answer:

Call our office at 970-430-7055 during normal business hours, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday thru Thursday and 8a.m – 4 p.m. on Friday, to schedule an appointment or to inquire about the practice. To make an appointment, we recommend that you call at least a week in advance to reserve your desired appointment time. Slots fill-up fast, especially for morning and evening appointments.

Question:

What if I don't have insurance?

Answer:

We have a self-pay rate available for patients who don’t have insurance or whose benefits won’t cover their treatment.