FAQs

The short answer is no!

Direct Access refers to your legal right to be treated by a physical therapist without a prescription or referral, so there is nothing to worry about if you don’t have a prescription for physical therapy!

All fifty states and the District of Columbia have ruled enabling patients “Direct Access” to physical therapy services and programs. You can contact a physical therapist without a physician’s prescription or referral.

According to “The Patient’s Bill of Rights” law, you can decide what physical therapy clinic you choose for your care.

Although many physicians recommend a physical therapy clinic they may prefer, you are under no obligation to go to that clinic. No medical practitioner, insurance company, or other entity can insist you attend a physical therapy clinic. The choice is yours to make!

Your basic patient rights include these:

• The right to information about quality: You can look up information about medical practitioners’ credentials, statistics regarding hospitals and clinics, and what your health plan covers in easy-to-understand language.
• The right to choose a healthcare provider: Besides your primary healthcare provider, this also covers specialists, including physical therapists.
• The right to emergency services: You can’t be denied treatment in an emergency.
• The right to make decisions: It’s up to you to decide which course of treatment you want to follow.
• The right to respect: You must be treated with respect regardless of sex, age, race, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
• The right to confidentiality: Your health information is private and cannot be released without your consent.
• The right to complain: All providers (insurance, physicians, clinics, hospitals, etc.) must have a grievance procedure.

All fifty states and the District of Columbia have made a ruling enabling patients “Direct Access” to physical therapy services and programs. You can contact a physical therapist without a physician’s prescription or referral.

Call PT Unlimited today if you have any questions!

Scheduling an appointment at PT Unlimited South Hills office is easier than ever! Our scheduling is easy; we offer a convenient location and appointment times. We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule.

Call us today or click here to request an appointment.

Physical therapists primarily measure your impairments and your functional limitations.

Impairments include:

• Pain
• Weakness
• Loss of motion
• Paresthesias (numbness, tingling, pins, needles, etc.)

Functional limitations include:

• Lying
• Sleep
• Rolling over
• Getting up out of bed
• Sitting
• Moving from standing to sitting
• Moving from sitting to standing
• Standing
• Walking
• Level ground
• Stairs
• Uneven ground
• Running
• etc

Tracking your impairments and functional abilities gives physical therapists objective information to compare with initial measurements. In addition, your reports and personal experiences help to validate your improvements and clue your therapist to regressions and/or lack of progress.

The bottom line is that you should notice improvements in how you feel and function throughout therapy. If you are not following an anticipated path of progress, your therapist will reassess you. We’ll use the information to change your program or recommend further testing.

Although every patient is different, the initial session usually lasts 1 hour to an hour and 15 minutes. After that, each session will vary depending on your condition and progress; most often, it will last 60 minutes.

Your unique needs will determine the length of time, which our therapist will discuss with you. In addition, you and your physical therapist will determine the frequency of your weekly appointments.

It is common for your therapist to want to see you more often in the early stages of your care to assess your progress and confirm your treatment plan. In most cases, you will likely see your therapist twice a week initially and then make your appointments more spaced out as you proceed through treatment.

We understand that dealing with insurance can be complicated; therefore, PT Unlimited would gladly assist you and answer your questions. It is essential to contact your insurance carrier to determine your coverage depending on your specific policy.

Visit our insurance plans page for additional information, and please do not hesitate to contact our Castle Shannon, PA physical therapy office.

For your convenience, we provide a variety of payment alternatives.

Our clinic won’t turn a patient away for this reason!

If you do not have insurance, that’s okay. For patients who do not have insurance, we offer cash-based options due at the time of service.

Please get in touch with our Castle Shannon, PA clinic and speak to our front desk about costs and setting up payment plans.

We ask all patients to bring a few things with them on their first visit to our office.

• Please go online and fill out our forms, print out the patient forms, complete them, and bring them with you for your initial evaluation. If you cannot do this or do not have access to a printer/computer, please allow extra time to fill these out upon arrival.
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork so that you can maximize your time in your evaluation.
• Please wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your problem areas.
• If you intend to use insurance, please bring your insurance information (we will make a copy of your card).
• Please bring any referrals, prescriptions, and test results from your referring physician, Nurse Practitioner, or physician assistant.
• Bring any case manager or insurance adjuster’s contact names, phone numbers, and claim numbers in case of an automobile accident or worker’s compensation claim.

Please have your prescription and insurance card available when you call our office. This will allow us to verify your insurance benefits and provide you with an estimate of coverage.

If you cannot attend your appointment due to illness or another emergency, please notify our clinic at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment if possible.

We deeply value each patient’s individual journey, ensuring every appointment is a dedicated one-on-one, hour-long session. Consistency is key; you’ll always be paired with the same physical therapist to guarantee personalized care throughout your recovery.

Please reschedule your appointment with our front desk if you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus so that we can maintain a safe, healthy environment for our patients and personnel.

Physical therapists are movement experts who can improve your quality of life through hands-on care, prescribed movement-based exercises, and patient education.

Physical therapists are dedicated to helping you improve and restore your movement and function, manage pain, and reduce the symptoms of many chronic conditions and diseases. Their expertise lies in examining the whole person and designing therapeutic interventions to help you recover from and prevent injury.

Our physical therapists are skilled movement professionals adept at evaluating and addressing a wide range of pain, injuries, and neurological issues. We are equipped to provide comprehensive care for diverse musculoskeletal and neurological challenges (i.e., conditions like Parkinson’s and stroke survivors), and we have also worked with the amputee community.

The therapists at PT Unlimited play a crucial role in resolving aches and pains, preventing future problems, and helping to improve your overall health and well-being. We determine the severity of your injuries using objective measurements and design the most effective treatment accordingly. Every program is tailored to your specific requirements.

Call today to schedule a consultation and get started on your road to recovery and better health!

Our South Hills physical therapy clinic takes pride in providing a positive, encouraging environment with well-trained, friendly staff. We welcome you to stop by with questions and to see our facilities. We are confident in our ability to assist you in achieving your goals.

Finding the right physical therapist that aligns with your needs is crucial in your recovery or rehabilitation process. Here are some steps you can take to find the right physical therapist:

• Get Recommendations: Start by asking someone you trust for a recommendation. Your primary care doctor or specialist will often know therapists with experience treating your specific condition. You should also ask friends, family, or coworkers if they have had a positive experience with a physical therapist.
• Look for Therapists with Specialization: Look for a physical therapist who has any additional certifications or specializations that relate to your specific condition (e.g., orthopedics, neurology, sports medicine, geriatrics, etc.).
• Research their Reputation: Look at online reviews and ratings on platforms like Healthgrades or Google Reviews. Find out how long they have practiced and what conditions they frequently handle.
• Check the Logistics: Make sure the therapist’s location and hours work with your schedule. If you have specific needs like wheelchair accessibility or other accommodations, confirm these details.
• Trust Your Instincts: After all your research and possibly an initial consultation, consider how comfortable you feel with the potential therapist. You should feel at ease and trust their ability to help you reach your health goals.

Remember, finding the right physical therapist can take some time and research, but your efforts will pay off when you find a professional you can trust to help guide your recovery or maintain your health!

Yes and no!

This may be a bit confusing, but in most cases, the word “diagnosis” is exclusively for a physician. Although not everyone in healthcare knows this, for legal reasons, an official diagnosis comes from a physician.

That being said, physical therapists are often used to confirm or deny a diagnosis. As the physical therapy profession has grown, so has the respect and responsibility within the healthcare systems. So, technically speaking, a physical therapist will conduct an “assessment” of your situation to clarify your specific situation, and physical therapists are particularly skilled at getting to the root “cause” of your condition.

When you come for your initial session at PT Unlimited, your physical therapist will do a thorough evaluation that consists of a detailed history and a comprehensive physical examination. This first assessment establishes the severity of your injury or illness. It also helps establish the source of your symptoms and the factors contributing to your condition.

Physical therapists routinely collaborate with physicians to provide confirmation or potential contradictions to a diagnosis to ensure that your diagnosis is correct and your treatment plan is appropriate.

According to “The Patient’s Bill of Rights” law, you can decide what physical therapy clinic you choose for your care.

Although a lot of physicians recommend a physical therapy clinic they may prefer, you are under no obligation to go to that clinic. No medical practitioner, insurance company, or other entity can insist you attend a physical therapy clinic. The choice is yours to make!

In addition, thanks to Direct Access laws, you do not need to wait for a physician to send you to the clinic of your choice.

Direct access means, by law, you have access to physical therapy services, including evaluations and treatments. Every state, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands allow for evaluation and some form of therapy without a physician referral.

To put it another way, you can choose which clinic you want!

The short answer is no!

Individuals can go immediately to a physical therapy clinic of their choosing and receive the treatment they need, thanks to Direct Access regulations.

Direct Access allows you to see a physical therapist without needing a prescription or referral from a doctor. Patients in all fifty states and the District of Columbia now have “direct access” to physical therapy treatments and programs.

We understand that dealing with insurance can be complicated; therefore, PT Unlimited would gladly assist you and answer your questions. It is important to contact your insurance carrier to determine your coverage depending on your specific policy.

For more information, please see our insurance page, and do not hesitate to contact our Castle Shannon, PA physical therapy clinic with your questions. We provide a range of payment options for your convenience.

Our clinic will never turn a patient away!

We offer cash-based options for patients who do not have insurance, which must be paid at the time of service. Please contact our Castle Shannon, PA clinic and inquire about rates and payment options with our front desk.

Our clinic will never turn a patient away!

We recommend you contact your insurance carrier to determine your coverage, copayments/coinsurance, and overall plan to be sure you understand your requirements.

Our staff will assess your insurance benefits and notify you of your payments at each visit.

We accept the following methods of payment:

• Cash
• Check
• Debit card
• Credit card

We also offer payment options depending on the individual’s circumstance and can provide more information upon request.

Our policy is to collect money at the time of service.

Scheduling an appointment at PT Unlimited in Castle Shannon, PA has never been easier or more convenient.

We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule.

Our scheduling is easy, and we offer convenient locations and appointment times. Call us today or click here to request an appointment.

Loose-fitting clothes that are comfortable to move in and provide easy access to the area of your symptoms. We also advise you to wear comfortable shoes or sneakers.

At PT Unlimited, we prioritize one-on-one care, dedicating a full hour for each appointment solely to you. We are committed to individualized treatment, and upon your visit, our physical therapist will conduct thorough assessments to pinpoint the root of your injury or functional challenges, ensuring that during that hour, you have our undivided attention and expertise.

Your physical therapist may inquire about your medical history and request that you do particular movements or tests so they can observe the quality of your movement patterns and identify any problems firsthand.

Your therapist will then create a treatment plan that is unique to you. Such methods include manual therapy and therapeutic exercises to improve strength and mobility.

We will begin with a comprehensive evaluation at your first visit that typically lasts around 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Your follow-up visits usually go for 60 minutes.

Your specific needs will determine the number of visits and the duration of your plan of care. As you and your therapist have discussed, we recommend attending more frequently in the early stages of your therapy to ensure you progress.

You’ll generally see your therapist twice or even three times a week at first, with fewer weekly visits and greater space between meetings as you progress through treatment.

You certainly can!

Physical therapists are highly skilled at assessing the whole person. This means we look to identify all the factors related to your condition. We understand the interconnectedness of the body and how a problem in one area may be the symptom pointing to the source of the problem in an entirely different location.

We are also skilled at identifying whether or not you are dealing with “a” problem or multiple issues impacting you and your function.

Everyone can benefit from physical therapy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean physical therapy alone is all you need. We believe in collaborating with other healthcare professionals and working with you while working with another practitioner to help you get the results you deserve.

We can discuss your options and help you decide if physical therapy is right for you. Contact us today to learn how PT can help you and make an appointment with one of our dedicated staff members.

Physical therapy is meant to alleviate pain rather than exacerbate it. However, your pain levels may fluctuate. Our therapists will clearly define what “normal” pain is and what is not normal. Some situations require exercises or other therapeutic actions that may elicit a pain response to facilitate improvements in your overall condition.

As a result of using weakened or recuperating muscles, you may suffer some momentary discomfort. Or for some, restoring the range of motion after surgery can be painful due to the nature of the condition. Unfortunately, it may be critical to your recovery to experience a temporary increase in your pain.

Although it may sound inappropriate, there are times when the increased pain early on can prevent more severe pain in the future.

Rest assured that we will do whatever we can to minimize your pain and avoid increasing it during your time in physical therapy. Communication with our therapist will help to reduce any discomfort you may feel during your physical therapy treatments.

We want you to be pain-free and return to normal activities as soon as possible. We will do what we can to prepare you for any discomfort you may experience.

Physical therapists are highly trained professionals who specialize in treating musculoskeletal conditions. Physical therapists are part of a healthcare team that routinely collaborates with physicians, surgeons, and other medical practitioners.

We also often collaborate with other healthcare professionals like chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists to ensure your treatment plan is as effective and efficient as possible.

Physical therapists are movement experts with advanced training and education in musculoskeletal disorders and diseases. In addition, physical therapists often take a hands-on approach to pain relief and function restoration.

One of the primary goals of physical therapy is to restore pain-free mobility and function while preventing pain and injury from recurring. Our physical therapists assess your movement patterns, determine the source of your pain, and work with you to manage or eliminate it.

While each patient’s condition and pain are unique, our physical therapist at PT Unlimited will use various targeted manual therapy techniques, exercises, modalities, and other strategies to relieve pain and restore function quickly.

You should see a noticeable improvement in your discomfort and overall function as you go through your rehabilitation activities.

An effective way to measure your improvement and progress is to keep track of your pain, mobility, and functional abilities. Tracking your impairments and functional abilities gives physical therapists objective information to compare with initial measurements. In addition, your personal reports and experiences help to validate your improvements and clue your therapist to regressions and/or lack of progress.

The bottom line is that you should notice improvements in how you feel and function throughout therapy. If you are not following an anticipated path of progress, your therapist will reassess the situation. Based on the results of this reassessment, your therapists will recommend further testing or a change in approach to your treatments.

We ask all patients to bring a few things with them on their first visit to our office.

• Please go online and fill out our forms, print out the patient forms, complete them, and bring them with you for your initial evaluation. If you cannot do this or do not have access to a printer/computer, please allow extra time to fill these out upon arrival.
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork so that you can maximize your time in your evaluation.
• Please wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your problem areas and for you to move around.
• If you intend to use insurance, please bring your insurance information so we can make a copy of your card for our records.
• Please bring any referrals, prescriptions, and test results from your referring physician, Nurse Practitioner, or physician assistant.
• Bring any case manager or insurance adjuster’s contact names, phone numbers, and claim numbers in case of an automobile accident or worker’s compensation claim.

Please have your prescription and insurance card available when you call our office. This will allow us to verify your insurance benefits and provide you with an estimate of coverage.

Although there are typical stages of healing, the reality is that everyone is different, and so is their ability to heal.

At PT Unlimited, you will have a personalized treatment plan created based on your individual needs and goals. Throughout your recovery process, our team will provide constant feedback and allow refinement of your program to ensure it provides optimal results.

The most common reasons for delayed recovery are trying to do too much too soon or not doing enough. Finding the balance is where physical therapists thrive. We use concrete physiological benchmarks and your individual treatment response to refine your program and maximize your results in the shortest time possible.

If you have any questions or concerns about the length of your treatment plan, feel free to ask your physical therapist. We are here to help you by providing clarity throughout this process. We will keep you updated on your progress throughout each session.

Physical therapists are trained to treat all types of musculoskeletal conditions. Most physical therapy clinics are geared towards specific subcategories of physical therapy.

You can be confident that our well-trained therapists will assess and treat your condition. For example, pediatric physical therapists often work exclusively with younger patients. Orthopedic outpatient physical therapists will work with all age categories and conditions.

If we feel another therapist or healthcare provider would better serve you, we’ll suggest people we know and trust.

Our physical therapists have received extensive education in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (the study of joint movement), neurology, and many other medical sciences. Our physical therapists are all state-licensed and have graduated from accredited physical therapy programs.

You can rest assured that you are in capable hands!

Because each patient’s diagnosis is unique, our therapist will work with you and any other medical or healthcare practitioner to ensure you get the best possible results.

Our goal is to identify all the factors contributing to your condition. We will conduct a comprehensive evaluation and thorough history to gather this information and then design a treatment plan for you.

For some people, relief is felt on day one; for others, there is a journey to relief filled with ups and downs. It is easier to know who you will be once we meet with you and examine your situation.

Our team is highly trained and skilled at treating musculoskeletal pain and injuries. We will provide guidelines to help you understand your condition and what to expect from therapy. These guidelines will include the likely duration of your situation and expected progress broken down into realistic timetables.

Our team is here to support you and answer your questions throughout the process!

Absolutely!

Once you have finished your therapy sessions, you can continue to see your physical therapist. There are several different ways to do this, for example:

• Your therapist will see you review and progress your at-home therapy program.
• You can schedule a re-evaluation after a month to ensure you are still doing well and modify your home program as needed.
• You can arrange to see your therapist regularly (i.e., every six months) for a consultation to assess your progress, ensure you are not regressing, and deal with anything new that may have started.

If you cannot make it to your appointment due to illness or another emergency, our clinic requests that you call us at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time to let us know.

If you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please reschedule your appointment with our front desk so that we can maintain a safe, healthy environment for our patients and employees.

Occupational therapy is a patient-centered health profession that promotes health and well-being through “occupation,” which refers to the practical aspects of activities that allow people to live independently and have a sense of identity.

Occupational therapy addresses the physical, psychological, and cognitive elements of their well-being through activity. They treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.

The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in everyday life activities. They help these patients develop, recover, improve, and maintain the day-to-day skills needed for living and working.

People of all ages can benefit from occupational therapy, ranging from children with disabilities in school to elders needing help improving their physical function and cognitive health.

Our occupational therapists focus on each patient’s day-to-day functional needs by providing exercises and activities that enhance physical and mental health. For some, it’s relearning how to move; for others, it is about relearning to plan and process actions.

We put in a lot of effort to assist people in recovering from physical, mental, and cognitive processing injuries, illnesses, or disabilities.

Call today to learn more about how our occupational therapists can help you!

We take a whole-body approach to therapy and focus on overall potential and function. Once your occupational therapist at PT Unlimited in Castle Shannon, PA understands what demands are placed on your body and the practical needs you have to perform them, they can develop a plan that will make everyday life much easier for you.

Our occupational therapists will start with an evaluation and detailed medical history. Through a variety of specialized tests, our team will create a customized treatment plan that is aimed at helping you regain and maintain your ability to resume a productive life!

Occupational therapy strives to optimize function by taking a “whole-person approach” to cognitive and physical health. They work to enable individuals to achieve their full potential.

Often occupational therapists focus on activities of daily living (ADLs) because they are the cornerstone of independent living. This is achieved through practical support and empowering individuals to increase independence and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the occupations (i.e., activities that matter to them).

Occupational therapists can treat various conditions and help patients of all ages regain and maintain their cognitive processing and physical health needed to perform their roles in daily lives, the community, and their job. We also treat various conditions and provide services to individuals in different settings.

Here is a list of common conditions occupational therapists treat:

• Musculoskeletal Conditions: Occupational therapists help individuals with arthritis, fractures, repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back pain to manage pain, improve mobility, and regain strength and function.
• Neurological Conditions: Occupational therapists work with individuals who have had a stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or other neurological conditions. They assist in improving fine motor skills, coordination, balance, cognitive abilities, and daily living activities.
• Geriatric Conditions: Occupational therapists assist older adults with age-related conditions like osteoporosis, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and mobility limitations. They focus on maintaining independence, improving self-care abilities, modifying home environments, and preventing falls.
• Hand and Upper Extremity Injuries: Occupational therapists focus on hand and upper extremity injuries, offering tailored splinting, rehab exercises, and assistive devices. A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) undergoes rigorous training and testing to specialize in upper extremity disorders from the hand to the shoulder. We provide comprehensive care for diverse hand and upper limb conditions, including fractures, dislocations, tendon injuries, and amputations, guiding patients toward optimal recovery.
• Work-related Injuries: Occupational therapists help individuals who have sustained work-related injuries, such as repetitive strain injuries, back pain, or injuries due to accidents. They focus on ergonomics, work modifications, and rehabilitation to facilitate a safe return to work.

In an outpatient setting, occupational therapists provide services to individuals who do not require hospitalization and can travel to a therapy clinic or office. Remember, outpatient occupational therapy services may vary depending on the clinic, therapist’s expertise, and individual needs.

Physical and occupational therapies are often part of a rehabilitation team but should not be confused with one another.

Physical therapy helps patients with musculoskeletal pain, injuries, and disorders. Physical therapists routinely help people with the following:

• Pain and dysfunction from pain
• Improving mobility and functional abilities
• Restoring and enhancing strength, power, and endurance
• Restoring balance, coordination, and agility

Occupational therapy focuses more on the basics of daily activities, including the following:

• Helping clients regain or improve activities such as getting dressed, bathing, and household responsibilities. For some, it is helping them return to work with modifications and/or adaptations.
• Helping with physical, psychological, and cognitive processing to help people complete the most important roles in their daily lives, the community, and performing their jobs.

According to “The Patient’s Bill of Rights” law, you can decide what occupational therapy clinic you choose for your care.

Although many physicians recommend an occupational therapist they may prefer, you are under no obligation to go to that clinic.

Depending on your insurance, your insurer sometimes requires a doctor in their network.

The bottom line is no medical practitioner, insurance company, or other entity can make you see a specific occupational therapist or attend a particular therapy clinic. The choice is yours to make!