3 Misconceptions About Physical Therapy
on Monday, April 1, 2019
The path to physical therapy differs from patient to patient. Some are referrals from a doctor. Some are referrals from friends or family. The type of referral that comes up the least is the direct path. This is partially due to some common misconceptions about physical therapy. Today we are going to try and dispel some of those myths.
MYTH #1:
You need a doctor’s prescription or referral to see a physical therapist.
According to the American Physical Therapist Association (APTA), all 50 states allow you to be evaluated by a physical therapist without a doctor referral. The technical term for this is “Direct Access” and as it implies it allows you direct access to a physical therapist. With the exception of Michigan, the rest of the states allow some form of treatment or intervention without a referral from a physician or specialist. Of course, we do love to be recommended by doctors and accept doctor referrals, but if you feel you can benefit from physical therapy, we certainly recommend bringing it up as an option to your general practitioner. A discussion with your referring physician can help determine whether physical therapy is a viable treatment option for you.
MYTH #2:
Physical therapy has to hurt.
At Renew Physical Therapy, we have a very specific pain-free approach to physical therapy. Our treatments are one-on-one, hands-on, and focused on the root cause of your symptoms. We believe in eliminating pain by improving joint function through mobilization techniques, patient education, and behavioral modification strategies.
MYTH #3:
I need to be injured to see a physical therapist.
Physical therapy can be helpful after an injury or after certain operations, but it is not limited to post-injury conditions. Physical therapy can also help with balance issues, headaches, and chronic pain.
Renew Physical Therapy in SE Portland
Renew Physical Therapy is located in SE Portland. We are an independent manual physical therapy clinic that was established in December 2015 by Michael and Heidi Cantwell. Our facility features three private treatment rooms and an open gym area to treat all our patients’ needs. You can find us at 11010 SE Division Street, Suite 301, in Portland, Oregon.
Visit our About Us page to learn more about our practice, clinic, and staff. Call us at 503.928.4914 to schedule an appointment.
Renew Your Body, Reclaim Your Life!