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What is a physical therapist?
A Physical Therapist is a healthcare provider who is an expert in the examination and treatment of problems that affect people’s abilities to move and function.  These abilities are driven by four major systems – musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, and integumentary – and physical therapists (PTs) are educated to and experienced to manage all four.

What credentials do physical therapists require?
All physical therapists must graduate from an accredited physical therapy program at the University level.  They possess a bachelor’s degree and either a Master’s or Doctorate degree in physical therapy.  All graduates must pass a National State Board Licensure Exam and possess an active state license for the state in which they will practice.  Therapists are required to increase their level of education though continuing education courses each year.

How can it help me?
Physical therapy can reduce or eliminate pain, improve strength, flexibility, and balance, improve a person’s ability to perform tasks independently, and get an athlete back on to the playing field more quickly than the person or athlete could on their own.

Do I need a referral?
The state of New Jersey has “direct access” which means a patient can legally see a physical therapist before seeing a medical or orthopedic doctor. However, some insurance companies require referrals/prescriptions before they will approve payment.  You should ask us or your insurance company to see if you require a referral or not.  It is important to remember that you can legally seek treatment from any physical therapy practice you want – you do not necessarily have to attend the clinic that your doctor recommended.

Will my insurance pay?
AccuCare Physical Therapy is pleased to serve as a provider for a vast majority of insurance plans.  You should contact your insurance company or our office to verify benefits. After scheduling your first appointment, we also verify benefits with your insurance carrier to establish if you have a physical therapy visit maximum per year, and if you are responsible for deductible, co-insurance, or co- pays.

How do I pay?
We accept cash, personal check, and credit card to cover co-pays/expenses. Payment is expected at the time of treatment.  As a courtesy, AccuCare Physical Therapy files your primary insurance.

Do I pay co-pays each visit or all at once?
We ask that co-pays be made at the time of your appointment.  We do not bill the patient at the conclusion of treatment for co-pays.

Should I bring a list of my medications with me?
Yes, a complete list of medications, you are taking is needed for your patient record.  Medication name, dosage, and reason for taking it is helpful.  It is  important your therapist have this information in order to modify, defer, and or add appropriate treatment techniques that may be affected by certain medications.

Should I take pain medication before my first visit?
Unfortunately, physical therapy may initially increase the intensity of your pain. Taking pain medication as directed before physical therapy may make your pain more tolerable.  However, it is important to take your medication as directed and follow all directions/precautions as indicated.  You may want to discuss your pain level and medications with your physical therapist, as pain is very individual.

What should I wear and bring with me at my first appointment?
You should wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily and sneakers for safety.  If you are seeking physical therapy treatment for your neck or shoulders, a tank top would be ideal.  If you are seeking treatment for the hip, knee, or ankle, shorts are necessary to allow the therapist to fully examine the area.  Sweat pants and t shirts are fine for most other diagnoses.  If you have any questions regarding attire, please call and ask.  If you have personal or religious restrictions regarding attire, we will work with you to respect your personal beliefs and modesty.  A bathroom is provided to allow you to change clothing here if you are coming from work or school.  At your first visit, please bring with you your insurance card, your prescription, your drivers license or other identification, and your list of medications.
 
What happens at my first appointment and how long will it take?
At your first appointment, if you have not filled out the forms online, you will have to fill out forms before being seen.  When the therapist sees you, he or she will begin with a patient interview and inquire about your symptoms, then perform a physical examination.  The therapist will render treatment at your first session and assess your response to treatment.  It is important to let the therapist know how you are feeling and if you have any pain with the treatment or prescribed exercises.  The initial evaluation typically lasts for 60-90 minutes.

What happens at the rest of my appointments and how long will they take?
Unless otherwise specified, visits typically last 60 minutes.  As a patient, you will be treated by a therapist and perform your exercises at each visit.  It is IMPERATIVE that you arrive on time to your appointments, as the therapist has a block of time scheduled for your treatment. Should you need to leave therapy early or by a certain time, you MUST tell your therapist at the beginning of your session so your treatment can be prioritized.  If you are going to be late, please call and advise the front desk. 

Does my physical therapist communicate with my doctor?
Yes, your therapist will write up an evaluation and send it to your physician/surgeon following your initial evaluation.

Should I let my physical therapist know when I have an upcoming MD appointment?
Yes, it is important to let your therapist know if you have an upcoming MD appointment at least ONE WEEK before your appointment to allow your therapist to re-evaluate you, assess your progress, and write a follow-up letter to your MD.  Simply because your prescription ran out (for example, if your prescription is for 4 weeks of therapy and you complete 4 weeks) does not necessarily mean you are done with therapy – your MD and therapist will discuss discharge from therapy with you.

Glossary

AAROM (Active Assistive Range of Motion)
Assisted active range of motion usually prescribed for gentle stretching or strengthening for very weak body part.

AC Joint (Acromioclavicular joint)
Joint of the shoulder where acromion process of the scapula and the distal end of the clavicle meet; most shoulder separations occur at this point.

ACL Reconstruction
Surgery to replace the ligament in the center of the knee (the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL) with a new ligament.

AROM(Active Range of Motion)
Patient lifts body part through range of motion against gravity, gently strengthening without trauma to joints.

Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness, and resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, as well as other causes.

Arthroscopy
A surgical examination of the internal structures of a joint by means of viewing through an arthroscope. An arthroscopic procedure can be used to remove or repair damaged tissue or as a diagnostic procedure in order to inspect the extent of any damage or confirm a diagnosis.
 
Bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa (a small serous sac between a tendon and a bone), especially of the shoulder or elbow.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A compression of the median nerve caused by swelling tendons in the carpal tunnel. Symptoms include numbness, pain, and tingling in the thumb and middle fingers, weak grip and diminished strength in the hand.

Cold Therapy (Cryotherapy)
The therapeutic use of cold applied directly to the area in need of treatment. The cold transferred to the patient

Debridement
Removal of non-healthy tissues and foreign material from a wound or burn to prevent infection and permit healing.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
The pathological process by which an intervertebral disc becomes progressively disrupted and fails in its functions.

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
A pathological process in which a low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by abnormal wearing of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints and destruction or decrease of synovial fluid that lubricates those joints. As the bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, the patient experiences pain upon weight bearing, including walking and standing.

Eccymosis
Bleeding into the surface tissue below the skin, resulting in a "black and blue" effect.

Edema
Accumulation of fluid, in organs and tissues of the body; commonly called swelling.

Electric Stimulation
a treatment modality using electrodes placed on the skin in various locations, allowing the physical therapist to recruit the appropriate muscle fibers. Contracting the muscle via electrical stimulation helps strengthen the affected muscle. The physical therapist can change the current setting to allow for a forceful or gentle muscle contraction. Along with increasing muscle strength, the contraction of the muscle also promotes blood supply to the area that assists in healing.

External Rotation
Lateral movement of a joint or extremity to the outside.

Femur
Thigh bone; the longest bone in the body.

Gait Training
Therapy to help a patient relearn to walk safely and efficiently. Gait training often incorporates the use of such assistive devices as parallel bars, walkers or canes to promote safe and proficient ambulation. In order to walk again without assistance, the patient will need mental attentiveness and adequate sensation, coordinated with adequate musculoskeletal functioning and motor control.

Hot Pack
Physical therapists wrap moist hot packs in several layers of towels to decrease pain caused by muscle tension or spasms or to stimulate vasodilatation of the blood vessels, which increases circulation to the area.

Hydrotherapy
The use of water to treat a disease or to maintain health. The term "hydrotherapy" (water therapy) can mean either exercise in the water or using water for care and healing of soft tissues.

Impingement Syndrome
A group of symptoms in the shoulder including progressive pain and impaired function, resulting from injury to the rotator cuff caused by encroachment of surrounding bony structures and ligaments.

Internal Rotation
Rotation of a joint of extremity medially, to the inside.

Iontopheresis
A treatment modality using a direct electrical current to drive medical solutions into and through the skin.

Isometrics
An exercise that involves muscle contraction through pushing, pressing and pulling against an immovable object. This form of exercise uses minimal movement to build muscles.

Joint Mobilization
A treatment technique used to improve mobility in areas that currently have less than normal movement. Tight muscles, stiff ligaments, or problems in the joints themselves may cause the decreased movement. If pain is associated with this decreased movement, loosening up the structure that causes the restriction can often relieve the pain.

Lateral Epicondylitis
see Tennis Elbow

Manual Therapy
A general term for treatment performed with the hands and not with any other devices or machines - sometimes called bodywork. The goals of manual therapy include relaxation, decreased pain, and increased flexibility.
 
Massage
Systematic manipulations of body tissue, performed with the hands; a type of soft tissue mobilization.

Meniscus
Crescent shaped cartilage, usually pertaining to the knee joint; also known as "cartilage." There are two menisci in the knee, medial and lateral. These work to absorb weight within the knee and provide stability.

Neuropathy
An abnormal and usually degenerative state of the nervous system or nerves. Symptoms include tingling and numbness in hands or feet, followed by gradually progressive muscular weakness.

Osteoarthritis
A type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints Osteoporosis Loss of calcium and other substances from bones, causing bones to become weak and prone to fractures.
 
Patellofemoral Syndrome
The common cause of chronic knee pain, PFS characteristically causes vague discomfort of the inner knee area, aggravated by activity (running, jumping, climbing or descending stairs) or by prolonged sitting with knees in a moderately bent position. The knee may be mildly swollen.

Phonophoresis
A treatment modality utilizing the technique of driving whole molecules of medication with ultrasound.

Plantar Fascitis
A painful condition that results from a tear in the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot. Radiculitis Radicular Pain, or Radiculitis, is pain "radiated" along the dermatome (sensory distribution) of a nerve due to inflammation or other irritation of the nerve root.

Rotator Cuff Repair
Surgical repair of inflammation or tears of the rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder.

Sciatica
Irritation of the sciatic nerve resulting in pain or tingling running down the inside of the leg.

Shin Splint
A catch-all syndrome describing pain in the shin that is not a fracture or tumor, and cannot be defined otherwise.
 
Sprain
Injury resulting from the stretch or twist of the joint and causes various degrees of stretch of tear of a ligament or other soft tissue at the joint.

Spondylolisthesis
Describes the anterior displacement of a vertebra or the vertebral column in relation to the vertebrae below.
 
Spondylolysis
Is a defect in the pars interarticularis of a vertebra. The great majority of cases occur in the lowest of the lumbar vertebrae (L5), but spondylolysis may also occur in the other lumbar vertebrae, as well as in the thoracic vertebrae.
 
Spondylosis
Degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis, of the spinal vertebra and related tissue. If severe, it may cause pressure on nerve roots with subsequent pain or paresthesia.

Stenosis
Is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves. This is usually due to the natural process of spinal degeneration that occurs with aging. It can also sometimes be caused by spinal disc herniation, osteoporosis or a tumour. Spinal stenosis may affect the cervical vertebrae, the lumbar vertebrae or both.

Strain
Injury resulting from a pull or torsion to the muscle or tendon that causes various degrees of stretch or tear to the muscle or tendon tissue.

Stress Fracture
A hair-line type of break in a bone caused by overuse.

Tendonosis
Pathology of chronic degeneration without inflammation.

Tendonitis
Inflammation of the tendon and/or tendon sheath, caused by chronic overuse or sudden injury.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
An injury to the muscles and tendons on the outside of the elbow that results from overuse or repetitive stress.
 
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator)
An electrical modality that sends a mild current though pads at the injury site which stimulates the brain to release the natural analgesic, endorphin.

Therapeutic Exercise
A broad range of activities intended to improve strength, range of motion, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, or to otherwise increase a person's functional capacity.

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)
The articulation of the jaw and skull; considered by some to be vital in resolution of injuries throughout the body.

Traction
The therapeutic use of manual or mechanical tension created by a pulling force to produce a combination of distraction and gliding to relieve pain and increase tissue flexibility.

Ultrasound
Treatment modality used by physical therapists that utilize high or low frequency sound waves to penetrate the muscles to cause deep tissue/muscle warming. This promotes tissue relaxation and therefore is useful in treating muscle tightness and spasms.

Whirlpool
Immersion of a body part into water with small "agitators" to provide a gentle massaging motion. Warm whirlpool provides relief from pain and muscle spasm and is often preparatory to stretching or exercise. Cold whirlpool is used to decrease inflammation and swelling.