General Information
What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy (PT) is a healthcare service that helps people improve movement, reduce pain, and recover from injuries or medical conditions. Physical therapists create personalized treatment plans that may include exercises, hands-on techniques, and education to restore function, prevent future problems, and enhance overall quality of life. PT can benefit people of all ages, from athletes recovering from injuries to older adults managing chronic conditions.
PT vs. Chiropractor vs. Massage – What’s the Difference?
- Physical Therapy: Think of us as your movement coaches. We help you get stronger, move better, and bounce back from injuries so you can do what you love.
- Chiropractor: The alignment experts—they focus on your spine and joints to help relieve pain and keep your body in balance.
- Massage Therapist: Your muscle relaxers—they knead out tension, soothe sore spots, and help you feel great.
The quick takeaway:
PT = move & get stronger
Chiro = align & relieve pain
Massage = relax & feel good
What conditions do you treat?
Physical therapy can help with muscle and joint injuries, back and neck pain, post-surgery recovery, sports injuries, arthritis, balance and mobility issues, neurological conditions, and more.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for physical therapy?
In Pennsylvania, Direct Access allows most patients to be seen by a physical therapist without a physician’s referral for up to 30 days. This allows patients quick access to care, which often translates to a quicker recovery. Medicare will allow an initial evaluation without a referral, however will require either a referral or signed plan of care (which your PT will send to your physician after the evaluation) following evaluation in order to continue treatment.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can call one of our six local clinics to schedule an appointment or fill out our CONTACT from. Many patients can be scheduled within 24–48 hours.
Do you accept walk-ins?
We do our best to accommodate patients quickly, and many can be scheduled within 24–48 hours. While we encourage scheduling in advance to ensure the best appointment time, walk-ins may be accepted based on therapist availability.
How long will it take to get better?
There are many variables that can impact your recovery including severity of symptoms and how long symptoms have been present. In many cases physical therapy can help you to feel better within 6 weeks.