Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during my first visit?
During your first visit you can expect the following:
When you arrive at your appointment you will need to complete some paperwork, as well as provide us with your prescription for therapy and your insurance card. You will then be seen for an initial evaluation by a therapist. The therapist will discuss the following:
Your medical history
Your current problems/complaints
Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem
How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations
Your goals with therapy
Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health
The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation which may include some of the following:
Palpation - touching around the area of the pain/problem. This is done to check for the presence of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, inflammation, etc.
Range of Motion (ROM) - the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of movement and any restrictions.
Muscle Testing - the therapist is checking for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often the muscle strength is graded. This is also part of a neurological screening.
Neurological Screening - the therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well.
Special Tests - the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.
Posture Assessment - the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.
The therapist will then formulate a list of problems you are having, and how to treat those problems. A plan is subsequently developed with the patient's input. This includes how many times you should see the therapist per week, how many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short-term/long-term goals, and what is expected after discharge from therapy. This plan is created from input from you, your therapist, and your doctor.
What do I need to bring with me?
Make sure you bring your therapy prescription (provided to you by your doctor) and your payment information. If your insurance is covering the cost of occupational therapy, bring your insurance card. If you're covered by Workers' Compensation, bring your claim number and your case manager's contact information. If you are being covered by auto insurance or an attorney lien, make sure you bring this information.
How should I dress?
You should wear loose fitting clothing so you can expose the area that we will be evaluating and treating. For example, if you have a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice. For an elbow injury, wear a T-shirt or a loose fitting long-sleeve shirt that can be raised above your elbow so we can perform a thorough examination.
How long will each treatment last?
Treatment sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes per visit.
How many visits will I need?
This is highly variable. You may need one visit or you may need months of care. It depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairments, your past medical history, etc. You will be re-evaluated on a weekly basis, and when you see your doctor we will provide you with a progress report with our recommendations. Please consult with your insurance company for your specific policy specifications.
Why is occupational therapy a good choice?
More than half of all Americans are suffering from pain. Whether it is a recent episode or chronic, an ABC News/Stanford study revealed that pain in America is a serious problem. However, many don't even know that occupational therapists are well equipped to not only treat pain but also its source.
Occupational therapists are experts at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder and occupational therapists can help correct the disorder and relieve the pain.
What do occupational therapists do?
Based upon their training in human anatomy and physiology, knowledge of various disabilities and diseases human development, psychology, adaptive technology, and standardized and non-standardized assessments of functioning, OTs evaluate their clients' functional abilities and limitations in a number of different settings and roles. For example, the OT may look at how the person functions in school, home, or work settings as a student, caregiver, or employee. As part of the evaluation, the OT interviews the client in order to get a good sense of the client's priorities. The OT then incorporates all of this material into a treatment plan that outlines specific goals and breaks down those goals into manageable steps.
OT treatment usually consists of weekly or regular sessions in which the OT helps the client to practice the skills that will enable the person to be more functional. This may include being able to accomplish everyday tasks (also known as activities of daily living) such as brushing teeth, preparing a snack, or making a grocery list.
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an individual's physical well-being, occupational therapy practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that may hinder an individual's functioning in different ways.
Source: www.ontheotherhand.org
Who pays for the treatment?
In most cases health insurance, Medicare, Tricare, the Workers' Compensation system, etc. will cover your treatment. Depending on your particular plan, you may/will be responsible for co-payments or deductibles. Please consult with your insurance company for your specific policy specifications. We will be glad to help if needed.
Who will see me?
You will be evaluated by one of our licensed and highly trained occupational therapists. Unlike some clinics where you see someone different each visit, we feel it is important to develop a one-on-one relationship with you to maintain continuity of care. Since only one occupational therapist knows your problems best, he or she is the one that will work closely with you to speed your recovery.