Following the passage of House Bill 1229 signed in 2003, the state of Arizona grants physical therapists direct access without restrictions. That means you can be evaluated by a physical therapist and receive physical therapy treatments without referral from your physician. However, some insurance companies still require a physician referral before authorizing treatments.
The physical therapist will carry out a thorough evaluation. In order to facilitate the assessment, the therapist will discuss or review the following with you: your current problems/complaints, your medical history, your pain intensity and other pain characteristics, if there are any functional limitations (for example, activities of your daily living that are inhibited by your present complaints), any previous medications and if you have had any recent tests, imaging or procedures carried out.
Following the initial clinical assessment and the outcome of any special tests performed, the therapist will proffer a clinical diagnosis and thereafter, formulate a treatment plan. Your input is integral to the treatment plan. This includes your goals, frequency of treatment (how many times you should see the therapist per week), duration of treatment (how many weeks you will need therapy), home programs, patient education etc.
While you are assured of the utmost privacy at all times during the physical assessment and treatment, comfortable, loose fitting clothing that permits exposure of the area that will be evaluated and eventually treated is recommended. A comfortable attire will also enable unrestricted movements through therapeutic ranges. Kindly notify the physical therapist if you are currently fitted with a cardiac pace-maker or any similar electronic device. Finally, it is recommended that you remove metallic adornments such as necklaces, watches or bracelets etc before treatment.
Typically, your first visit lasts about one hour (because of the initial evaluation). Each subsequent follow-up visit will take between 30 minutes to an hour depending on your condition and established treatment plan.
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