Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during my first visit?
During your first visit you can expect the following:

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early to complete paperwork.
• Provide us with your prescription for physical therapy, if you are coming with a physician referral.  (Not required in Oregon.   Custom Care PT is “Direct Access” certified.)
• We will copy your insurance card, if you would like us to submit it for reimbursement.
• You will be seen for the initial evaluation by Aaron Frye or Michael Collison, staff physical therapists.

Aaron or Mike 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 physical therapy.
• Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health.

Your physical therapist will then perform the objective evaluation which may include some of the following:

1. 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.
2. Range of Motion (ROM) - the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of movement and any restrictions.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Special Tests - the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.
6. Posture Assessment - the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.

Your physical 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 have PT 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, Aaron, and your doctor.


What do I need to bring with me?
Make sure you bring your physical therapy referral (if provided to you by a doctor) and your payment information. If your insurance is covering the cost of physical therapy, bring your insurance card. If you are covered by Workers' Compensation, bring your claim number and your case manager's contact information. If you are covered by auto insurance or an attorney lien, make sure you bring this information.


Can I bring my kids?
Normally treatment sessions are best done without your children.  Please call the office if you have an exception request.  The gym does offer childcare services for a nominal fee during various clinic hours.


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 knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice, and for low back problems, wear a loose fitting shirt and pants, again so we can perform a thorough examination.


How long will each treatment last?
Treatment sessions typically last 30 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 monthly basis and when you see your doctor, we will provide you with a progress report with our recommendations.


Why is physical 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 do not even know that physical therapists are well equipped to not only treat pain but also its source.
Physical therapists are experts at treating movement and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder, and physical therapists can help correct the disorder and relieve the pain.


Is physical therapy painful?
For many patients, one of the primary objectives is pain relief. This is frequently accomplished with hands-on techniques, modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and/or heat or cold therapy. Movement often provides pain relief as well. Your physical therapist will provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance.
In some cases, physical therapy techniques can be painful. For example, recovering knee range of motion after total knee replacement or shoulder range of motion after shoulder surgery may be painful. Your physical therapist will utilize a variety of techniques to help maximize your treatment goals. It is important that you communicate the intensity, frequency, and duration of pain to your therapist. Without this information, it is difficult for the therapist to adjust your treatment plan.

Can I go directly to physical therapy, or do I need a doctor referral?
Physical therapists are important members of your medical team. Custom Care PT is licensed to help patients who have not first visited a physician.  (Forty-three states have some form of direct access, and Oregon is one of them.  The State of Oregon’s certificate of authorization is issued only to licensed physical therapists practicing physical therapy.) If the patient does not get better within 30 days, our team will discuss the most relevant physician referral for your condition. 

1. The physical therapist bills your insurance company, Workers' Comp, or charges you based on CPT (Common Procedure Terminology) codes.
2. Those codes are transferred to a billing form that is either mailed or electronically communicated to the payer.
3. The payer processes this information and makes payments according to an agreed upon fee schedule.
4. An EOB (Explanation of Benefits) is generated and sent to the patient and the physical therapy clinic with a check for payment and a balance due by the patient.
5. The patient is expected to make the payment on the balance if any.