How do I know if I need Physical Therapy?

You’re in need of PT if you have one of the following:

• pain that comes on daily
• pain that is chronic and getting worse over time
• recent injury that needs assessment and treatment
• previous injury that affects the way you move while completing daily activities
• general joint and muscle soreness and stiffness
• balance difficulty and/or fear of falling
• difficulty walking
• previous recent or older surgery that continues to need rehabilitation

PT might also be for you if you are looking for a biomechanical assessment and possibly a stretching and/or strengthening program prior to an athletic event such as a race, sports tournament, or highly strenuous travel adventure.

What happens in the first meeting?

We have a conversation about what is bothering you, what an ideal resolution would look like for you, and create a plan for how to get there. I will perform an assessment, treatment, and provide exercises for you to complete before your next visit.

What should I wear?

Shorts, pants, and a shirt that are comfortable and allow for stretching. Also please have tennis shoes on or available.

Where can our session be done?

Your home. I will bring everything needed for the assessment.
All I need is a large space for the treatment table, to assess your movement and provide exercises. I prefer to stay on a downstairs level if possible, to avoid lifting the table up or down stairs.

How long do PT sessions last?

60 minutes

Is Physical Therapy painful?

Treatment can be painful at times, however there will be open dialogue the whole time and I will not push past an uncomfortable state.

What happens if my problem/pain returns?

If after a series of treatment the problem/pain returns, you can call or email me to discuss what is going on and from there we will start treatment again or I can advise stretches or exercises to perform to help mitigate the problem.

How does the billing process work?

My services are paid upfront in cash at each visit. I do have the option upon request of providing a Superbill which describes the treatment performed and the amount billed. You may use this Superbill to fax to your insurance provider to get reimbursement.

Are you licensed?

Yes, in the State of California.

Is Physical Therapy covered by my insurance?

All insurances are different. You should call your insurance provider and inquire about your “Out of Network Benefits” for Physical Therapy Services.

How do you work with my insurance provider?

As stated above, I provide a Superbill for you to submit to your insurance provider.

How Is Yoga different from stretching or other kinds of fitness?

Yoga is mindful low impact movement. In yoga, the student or patient learns to listen to their body and is guided to slowly move in a way that is accessible and feels good to their body. Yoga is not competitive but rather a practice that grows to be more smooth over time as the student gains body awareness, strength, and flexibility.

What are the benefits of yoga?

Yoga is beneficial for stress reduction, joint and muscle flexibility, strength training with low impact on joints, balance, and learning to listen to your body.

I am not flexible - can I still do yoga?

Yes, yoga can be modified in many ways to meet the needs of the student or patient. There are also many “props” we can use in yoga to help facilitate easy stretches.

What do I bring with me to do yoga?

A yoga mat and a water bottle.

What do I wear to yoga?

Wear clothes that stretch and breathe easily.

What’s the difference between a yoga class and practicing on your own?

A yoga class can be a guided sequence of poses or a workshop style in which poses are methodically broken down for the students. A guided sequence flows from one pose to the next, whereas the workshop will have more stops and starts with teacher/student dialogue. Practicing on your own can allow for complete control over a sequence of poses you want for that session or for creating your own sequence and exploring stretches or movements that feel good to you for that session.

How does yoga relate to physical therapy?

Yoga is a great compliment to physical therapy because the slow and mindful nature of yoga helps the patient gain body awareness and become an active participant in their rehabilitation. The patient is active because they are able to better express how certain movements feel and understand how their body is healing.

How can I use my yoga practice alongside my PT regimen?

A physical therapist can prescribe the yoga stretches or pose sequences that align with your rehabilitation exercises. The patient can then perform a gentle yoga sequence as a way to complete a home exercise program.

A yoga mat and a water bottle.