FAQ – Answers to commonly asked questions.

Physical therapy is one of the great values in health care right now. A therapist bills by the hour using billing codes. Treatments usually last 30 to 60 minutes. For example, during your first visit, your therapist will do a thorough evaluation to identify your specific needs. He will also develop a plan of treatment to get you better. This initial evaluation only costs $96. After your initial visit, you can work with your therapist to come up with a plan that fits your physical and financial needs.

Physical therapy is health care that focuses on improving the interaction of your muscles, bones, tendons, and nerves. This can include help with pain, balance, strength, movement, and endurance. Basically, if you have problems doing any activity, your physical therapist can help you improve your ability to do the things you want to do.

All of them! Here at Body Balance Physical Therapy we have treated all ages of people for a variety of reasons. We have helped children recover after accidents. We have treated and helped high school athletes looking to improve performance. We have helped dads and moms get back to work. We have helped grandmothers and grandfathers stay active and able to participate in their grandchildren’s lives. We can help you too!

It depends on what you need and are trying to accomplish. Some problems can be overcome in one or two visits total. Others, like work hardening for workman’s compensation cases, can take five times per week. Your therapist will discuss with you the number of visits and the frequency of treatment that he recommends to achieve your specific treatment goals. Generally, most cases require 1-3 times per week for 2-6 weeks with emphasis on training you what to do at home.

Physical therapy appointments are between 30 and 90 minutes. If you have time restrictions, let us know and we will work around your needs.

Physical therapy uses a variety of evidence based treatments including therapeutic exercises, stretching, manual manipulations, and retraining muscles and nerves to treat you. Chiropractic care usually focuses on adjustments to the spine made by the chiropractor. Physical therapy usually entails a shorter, intense period of treatment that focuses on training the patient to maintain their gains at home. Chiropractic care usually consists of periodic adjustments that are maintained by the chiropractor over a longer period of treatment. While chiropractors and physical therapists both want to get you better, Chiropractic care and Physical Therapy differ in their method and ideology of treatment.

Please contact your physical therapist as soon as you know you will not be able to attend a scheduled appointment. This will allow us to reschedule your appointment as quickly as possible to keep your recovery moving forward.

Yes. We will send your doctor the initial evaluation and progress notes along the way. We will also send your doctor a discharge summary when you complete physical therapy. If your doctor has an urgent need for your information, we will contact them by phone.

That is a big question. There are many things that can cause back pain. To identify the causes of your specific back pain, your physical therapist will need to do an evaluation. The good news is that a study in the July 2008 issue of Spine found that 92% of patients with low back pain were helped by physical therapy. We can help you too!

As is common when beginning any new physical activity program, you may have some mild soreness following the examination and initial treatment. Just remember to let us know how you felt afterwards so we can treat you accordingly.

It’s easy, come in and see us. We will schedule a 10 minute appointment at no charge to you with one of our therapists so you can discuss whether physical therapy can help you.

It is easy, just call us or stop by to set up an appointment! If you have insurance that requires a doctor referral (many don’t), we will contact your doctor to help you get started

Physical Therapy is a “direct access” service in the State of Idaho. This means that you do not have to have a referral from a physician to receive Physical Therapy. However, some insurance companies require you to have a referral for your policy to cover physical therapy. You can bring your insurance card by and we can determine if your insurance requires a referral or not. If your insurance does require one, we can help you set up an appointment to see your medical provider. Regardless of whether they are required, referrals are always welcome.

You can come see us. Ultimately the choice is yours to make. We will contact your doctor to coordinate care for you.

As a new patient, you will be asked to register and provide insurance and medical history information (many of these forms are available on this website in the new patient section). Your first appointment will involve a detailed evaluation of your specific condition and a review of your history, occupation and hobbies. This will allow us to determine the best possible solution to fit your specific needs. The evaluation process is designed to provide both you and the practitioner with a better understanding of your condition and design your treatment plan. We strive to design the best plan to help you live life better.

Depending on your condition, your therapist may ask you to change into a gown or shorts on your first appointment. After this initial visit, your therapist will inform you of the appropriate attire for each of your subsequent visits. Most patients feel comfortable wearing exercise clothing such as t-shirts, sweats or shorts during their treatment program.

Most insurances do. You can bring your card in or call us and we can look up your insurance information to let you know the benefits that your particular plan has for physical therapy. If for some reason your plan does not cover physical therapy, we have many payment options so that you can get the care you need.

Yes! Many of our patients do not have insurance. We can make your treatment plan fit both your physical needs and your budget. We have the flexibility to set up payment plans that will work for you.