You Ask — We Answer
COMMON QUESTIONS
Have a particular question you want to ask? At Anti-Fragile Physical Therapy, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. There’s no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to your health. Check out the answers to some our patients’ frequently asked questions below. If there’s something on your mind that isn’t mentioned here, please get in touch for more information.
HOW LONG AFTER AN INJURY SHOULD I WAIT TO GET TREATMENT?
Again, here is good physical therapy advice but bad business advice – wait a little bit. Not months or years, mind you, but giving your brain and body time to figure out what might be causing this issue, as well as time to let the normal inflammatory process subside is reasonable.
That said, research demonstrates consistently that manual therapy and exercise generally reduce activity limitations quicker than waiting, medications, or general advice. So after a few days you’re not seeing the results you want, then call up.
DO I HAVE TO STOP EXERCISING, RUNNING, BIKING, ETC DURING MY RECOVERY?
Occasionally this is a necessary move to allow for the most rapid and full recovery, but in our clinic it is very rare. We pride ourselves in getting patients back to the activities they love extremely quickly and quite often that means we have them performing these activities by the end of the first visit. After all, we can’t say that you’re “fixed” until you can do the things you want without pain, right?
DO YOU ONLY WORK WITH ATHLETES AND INJURIES?
Not at all.
Our training in the management of chronic, persistent pain and my history in sports medicine and orthopedics are a fantastic combination. We understand the value of applying healthy stresses to the body to allow it to grow and adapt, but also that some of those positive stresses can be on a very small scale.
Some clients are so out of balance, their nervous system so wound up due to injury, chronic pain beyond the normal healing time, difficulty understanding their conditions that everyday stresses are beyond their capacity to adapt. TMJ, Headaches, migraines, whiplash, sciatica, degenerative joint disease, fibromyalgia – these are only a few of the misunderstood conditions that we manage through three pillars – education and self-management, manual therapy, and “exercise.” I use that loosely as individuals who have persistent conditions have usually had plenty of “exercise” - often to less than stellar results - and need to learn how to move well.
WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET ME BACK TO 100%?
Honestly, we're not sure what 100% means – it may mean eliminating the complaint that brings you to my office. Or it may mean simply understanding the nature and source of your complaints so you can work on self-management without the worry.
Many clients come to us after months, years, or decades of having limited results with other health care practitioners, or having results that only occur with high frequency visits. This is contrary to our philosophy – We want to see you as little as possible. Great health care philosophy, terrible business plan. But in a field where the norm is 2-3 visits per week for two months, and our typical client is seen 1 time per week or less for the same period, we would say you might be getting a deal…
WHY DON’T YOU WORK WITH INSURANCE?
Because you don’t want us to.
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In many settings, care is limited to shorter or overlapping sessions, or the therapist is forced to choose treatments based on what allows him to finish his previous documentation, prepare for the next patient, contact an insurer, return messages from the billing administrator, and try to leave the office in a reasonable period of time.
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Traditional physical therapy focuses heavily on passive modalities (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, unsupervised exercises) which take little time or actual effort by the physical therapist (or lesser trained or even unlicensed staff) to administer. While they may have a place, what we provide is one-on-one, client directed education, exercise, and manual therapy. Nothing less than the most optimal treatment we can offer to reach your physical therapy goals. We don’t make up in volume for excess staff, and or for lower-quality care with limited direct time with each client.
WILL MY INSURANCE COMPANY REIMBURSE FOR CASH-BASED PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES?
This depends on your insurance - there are thousands of plans within North Carolina alone.
AntiFragile PT will provide you with the itemized receipts and diagnostic code information at your request to self-file. If you are interested in exploring your out-of-network benefits, contact you insurance company and ask about coverage for "out-of-network physical therapy in a private outpatient office." Some insurers have other internal requirements, so if you plan to seek reimbursement get your information first.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE A REFERRAL TO RECEIVE TREATMENT?
Nope. The North Carolina Physical Therapy Practice Act allows for any individual to receive evaluation and treatment by a licensed physical therapist without limitation. This is called Direct Access, and it can not only save you money, but get you on the path to recovery faster!