Aleksandra Setcka, PT

First find the Physical Therapist that best fits your needs, review their experience, and determine that the location is convenient for you. Then, from that page, upload your insurance information. The provider’s office will contact you to verify whether your plan is accepted. 

Many plans allow for access to out of network providers for the same out of pocket cost as in network providers.

In New York State you have direct access to a physical therapist. That means you can be evaluated and treated without a doctor's prescription or referral, for 10 visits or within 30 days, whichever comes first. However, if treatment extends beyond 30 days or 10 visits you will need a referral for physical therapy.

To be approved by The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, or CAPTE a Physical Therapist must complete a doctoral program. However, a Physical Therapist who has earned a doctor of physical therapy degree (DTP) is not a medical doctor or physician.

Yes, you should. Studies have found that 65% of patients who do a pre-operative exercise program go directly home after surgery. Whereas, the 44% who do not engage in a pre-operative exercise program are discharged to a rehab facility. Four weeks of progressive resistance training prior to your surgery will improve your postoperative functional performance and muscle strength, and speed your recovery.

Getting medical clearance for a fitness program is a good idea (and may be required by some fitness professionals) if you're unsure of your health status or have multiple health problems. There are many medical issues that can affect the type, duration or intensity of the exercise you might be performing: high blood pressure, heart rate limitations, bone or joint injuries etc. It is very important that your fitness instructor knows if you may have health related restrictions before beginning an exercise program.

Therapeutic ultrasound provides heat that penetrates to injured body parts that a hot pack cannot reach. Ultrasound is also thought to improve cellular function by inducing cavitation near the injury. This expansion and contraction process is thought to speed up healing. While most studies of ultrasound are not positive, it has demonstrated benefit for the treatment of calcific tendinitis in the shoulder. It is considered safe, but contraindicated for body parts with cancer, and in young children.

A physical therapist's scope of practice is very different from that of a personal trainer. Physical therapists are skilled at evaluating and diagnosing problems that cause pain or injury, and can tailor a recovery program that allows you to be independent in your exercise program. If you are medically cleared to exercise, a personal trainer can assist in developing an exercise regime that addresses your current state of fitness and your goals.

A biomechanical evaluation entails both a static assessment of posture and alignment and a dynamic assessment of your gait, balance and movement. A biomechanical evaluation is indicated when conventional forms of treatment such as surgery, injections, medications, chiropractic, and physical therapy have failed. Biomechanical evaluation determines if abnormal movement is contributing to injury and pain symptoms. It allows your physical therapist to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Physical therapists can prescribe active movement techniques and physical exercise to improve balance. Balance problems can stem from muscle weakness, poor vision and vestibular problems (inner ear).  Remedies include: strengthening, stretching, gait retraining, proprioception exercises, visual tracking, and inner ear retraining.

Some migraine headaches start with a feeling of tension and discomfort in the neck and jaw. The upper trapezius muscle on the top of the shoulder is frequently problematic in headache patients. In some patients, cervical spine and shoulder muscle tightness can create pain and discomfort that triggers a migraine headache. A physical therapist can help with these conditions. Stretching exercises and soft tissue manipulation can sometimes be useful in reducing discomfort and eliminating a migraine trigger.

Abnormal movement and loss of neuromuscular control can result from injury, disease or recovery from surgery. Neuromuscular reeducation uses therapeutic exercise, manual techniques and activities focused on core control and balance. The goal is to reestablish normal controlled movement patterns by retraining nerve signals and rebuilding muscle memory through repeated movement patterns. The exercises are particularly beneficial for unhealthy movement patterns that persist after injuries have apparently healed.

Radiculopathy is pathology of the lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine nerve root. It is often called a "pinched nerve". Most people improve with conservative treatment such as medication and physical therapy. A physical therapist can help alleviate the acute neck and arm symptoms that result from this condition, as well as improve general strength and function. Surgery may be recommended if the condition does not improve within 6 to 12 weeks, or if multiple nerves are affected and normal function is not improving despite treatment.

Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM) uses stretching and deep pressure to break up rigid muscle tissue, adhesions, and scar tissue that can result from inflammation after an injury. STM relaxes muscle tension, and moves fluids trapped in the tissues that cause pain and inflammation. STM is used to treat soft tissue injuries including muscle strains and sprains. It is a safe and effective form of conservative treatment.

Symptoms in the bladder, bowel, or pelvis occur because of a problem with the muscles, joints, connective tissue, or nerves in that part of the anatomy. Most pelvic floor therapy techniques are hands on and include both internal and external treatment.  During internal treatment, a skilled physical therapist accesses the pelvic muscles through the rectum or vagina and makes manipulations on them to improve their strength and functioning. Since internal therapy does not appeal to some patients, therapists do not begin with internal therapy until or unless the patient is ready. External therapy techniques include nerve release, trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage (myofascial release), skin rolling and joint mobilization. Should anesthesia be indicated for trigger point treatment, a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner administers the injections.

Medically, the term cryotherapy refers to any treatment that involves the use of cold or near-freezing temperatures. Ice packs have long been used to reduce the damaging effects of intense exercise by decreasing blood flow, inflammation and pain, and speeding recovery. Whole body immersion Cryotherapy is a relatively new treatment. It uses liquid nitrogen to create incredibly cold air in a small, enclosed chamber. The freezing temperatures force the body into survival mode, redirecting blood flow from the extremities to the core. As the body warms up blood flow normalizes. It is thought that the recirculation delivers ultra-nutrient-rich blood to muscles and joints.

Posture has a big impact on joints, muscles, ligaments, even your lungs. Poor posture can cause back or neck pain, headaches, trouble breathing, or trouble walking. The key to fixing poor posture is strengthening and stretching the muscles in the upper back, chest, and core. Posture education starts with an evaluation of sitting and standing posture, so that a treatment plan is developed that addresses the individual needs of the patient.

PreferredMD’s online service allows you to filter your results by gender. That way, you’ll only see Doctors who match your preferences.

PreferredMD’s online service allows you to filter for Physical Therapy consultations with providers who are available after 5 p.m. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page. 

Direct access means a physician referral is not mandated by state law to access physical therapist services for evaluation and treatment. Every state, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands allow for evaluation and some form of treatment without physician referral.

PreferredMD’s online service uses a purple video icon on the profiles of Physical Therapy providers who offer online video visits. You can filter your search results to show providers who offer video Physical Therapy consultations. 

Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same rate as in-person visits. You can search on PreferredMD specifically for Physical Therapy providers who accept your insurance for video visits. Select your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page to verify. If that information is not available, we recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits. 

PreferredMD’s online service allows you to search specifically for a Physical Therapy provider who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.

PreferredMD’s online service allows you to see real-time availability for Physical Therapy providers that offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page. 

Ergonomics is the study and practice of improving the way people move and function within their daily life. An ergonomic evaluation helps with injury prevention by applying body mechanic strategies and minimizing factors that contribute to injury. Your physical therapist can evaluate the day to day tools you use at home and in the workplace, and how you use them. He/she will determine if they are suited to you, and if not, make recommendations. The focus is on improving body mechanics, posture and energy efficiency, and preventing pain and injury.

You can use PreferredMD’s online service to find Physical Therapy providers who are highly rated by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on PreferredMD, they are invited to review their experience. All ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Each review must comply with PreferredMD’s guidelines. 

PreferredMD patients can often get same day appointments; on average within 24 hours. You can search for real-time availability of Physical Therapy Consultations in your area, with providers who accept your insurance and make an appointment online. 

Now that you’re here, you can use PreferredMD’s free online service to find Physical Therapy Consultations and book appointments instantly. You can easily search for a Physical Therapy Consultation in your desired location and specify your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, accept your insurance, and their available appointment slots.