Question 1

Who are Physical Therapists?

Accepted Answer

Physical therapists are experts in movement, qualified to examine patients and develop treatment plans to improve mobility, reduce pain, and prevent injury. They are the health care practitioners with the most specialized education to help people improve motion and restore function. During your course of treatment, they will administer a variety of techniques that may include manual therapy, various exercise strategies, and patient education to help you move better. Physical therapists complete a rigorous post-graduate program with curriculum heavily focused on the sciences in order to obtain their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). They must also pass the National Physical Therapy exam as well as a licensing exam for their state of practice. At this point, their quest for knowledge is only beginning… Physical therapists are lifelong learners. As part of requirements for licensure, PTs continue to earn education credits by taking additional coursework annually, throughout their whole career. It is this continuous accumulation of knowledge and experience that gives them the ability to utilize the most innovative treatment approaches available.

Question 2

What conditions do the PTs at Altitude treat?

Accepted Answer

Altitude PT employees general physical therapists that are experienced in treating a wide variety of conditions and injuries. Most of our PTs are experts in a lot of different areas but each physical therapist does have their own personal niches. Please browse through all our physical therapy profiles to find a provider that would be a good match. If you're having trouble knowing where to start you can always call us and our front desk will be happy to help find your perfect fit! You can also browse through our informational page about our services

Question 3

Will it hurt?

Accepted Answer

In order for the physical therapist to determine and diagnose your injury, there may be discomfort as recreating your pain is the best way to identify what tissue is affected. Most of these tests or movement screens will cause minimal pain and the therapist will use this information to help guide the treatment in that session.

Question 4

Do I need to wear special clothes?

Accepted Answer

We typically recommend that you wear clothes that allow us access or exposure to the involved area. For example, any lower body injury it is usually best to bring shorts with you (although we have some in the office!) and upper body or neck injury it is nice to have a tank-top or t-shirt.

Question 5

What is manual therapy?

Accepted Answer

Manual therapy is when the physical therapist has their hands on you! This can include myofascial release, dry needling, joint mobilizations, passive range of motion, and more.

Question 6

What is dry needling?

Accepted Answer

Dry needling is a tool that requires special certification after graduating physical therapy school. It is important to note that dry needling is NOT acupuncture and that none of our physical therapists are acupuncturists. Dry needling advances the needle deep into muscle tissue to help "reset" a dysfunctional muscle. It is usually accompanied by a brief, deep and achy pain but can restore movement immediately. Dry needling is not an extra charge at Altitude and would never be performed without proper education and consent.

Question 7

Why would I need any of these things?

Accepted Answer

The greatest benefit to our treatment at Altitude is to promote and accelerate your healing in addition to educating you on how to avoid injury in the future!

Question 8

Do I have to have these types of treatment?

Accepted Answer

Your therapist will evaluate you and decide which treatment would be best for your particular injury.

Question 9

How do I know if I am getting better?

Accepted Answer

You will know you are getting better when you start to achieve your goals or make progress toward your goals.

Question 10

What do I need to watch for (signs that I need to alter my treatment or contact my doctor)?

Accepted Answer

Often we will tell our patients that we don't ever want you to feel any sharp pain, pain that is greater than 5/10, or pain that lasts longer than 24 hours. If any of these happen, simply tell your therapist at your next session or email them. They will respond and likely tell you to back off any exercise until you come in again. If you are ever concerned about some other response to treatment, feel free to call the clinic or email your therapist directly.

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