Ten questions, answered plainly

In Pennsylvania a physical therapist may begin with an evaluation without a referral. After that, state rules say when your physician must be involved, and your plan may still ask for a referral. We explain which applies to you when you call.

We bill many kinds of plans, including Medicare. Your plan decides what it pays. We check your benefits and call you before your first visit.

We give you a written estimate before your first visit, and you pay for each visit on the day. If your plan may reimburse you, ask for a detailed receipt to send in. Your plan decides whether it pays.

A visit is about an hour with one physical therapist. Where we can, you see the same therapist each time.

That depends on how you move today, what you want to do, how your condition changes, what your plan allows and what you can practice at home. We go over the plan with you at regular points.

Clothes you can move in and shoes that stay on your feet. Bring your plan card, a photo ID, a list of your medicines, any cane, walker or brace you use, and a care partner if you like.

We work within what you can tolerate. Tell us when something is too much, and we change the work. Some effort and some soreness the next day can be part of exercise, and we explain what to expect.

Some follow-up visits can be by video for people in Pennsylvania, where we are licensed. Your first visit is in person.

Progress is not always a straight line, and some weeks feel flat. When it slows, we check what we are measuring, change the work, talk with your doctor, or move you to a home routine. We cannot promise any program will keep helping, and we tell you honestly when we think therapy has done what it can for now.

A structured program for people with Parkinson's that trains large, high-effort movement. Our therapists who completed the course through LSVT Global are named on the Parkinson's page. Whether it suits you depends on your exam and your doctor's advice.