FAQ's
You Asked, We Answered
How does physical therapy work?
Physical therapy is labeled as conservative care, which means non-surgical care. In the 7 years of school physical therapists learn how to evaluate and identify musculoskeletal and neurological deficits, educate our clients, as well as strengthen and stretch the problematic areas. All physical therapists learn different skills while training, meaning we all treat slightly differently. Some prefer more hands-on approaches through manual therapy, while others use modalities such as electric stimulation, ultrasound, as well as dry needling. I tend to use exercise-based treatment that is direction specific based on the McKenzie Method as my main treatment. Physical therapy is designed to help you understand what the problem is, and use a blend of treatment to fix the issue. It does require time and diligence to see results.
What is the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)?
The McKenzie Method of MDT is a reliable assessment process intended for all musculoskeletal problems, including pain in the neck, back, and extremities. It also addresses issues such as radicular pain, sacro-iliac joint pain, arthritic pain, and degenerative disc disease. This well-research, exercise-based approach of assessing, diagnosing, and treating provides an evaluation of patients without the use of expensive diagnostic imaging. McKenzie also focuses heavily on education to have clients understand their specific problems and allow them to be in control of their own symptoms management, which can reduce dependency on medical intervention.
How does MDT work?
The belief is that most musculoskeletal pain is “mechanical” in origin, which notes an abnormal forces or mechanics occurring in the tissues. If a mechanical force caused the problem, then it is a logical that a mechanical force may be part of the solution. The MDT system is designed to identify the mechanical problem, develop a plan to correct or improve the mechanics, and thereby, decrease or eliminate the pain and functional problems. In the simplest, and most common, instance this may mean that moving in one direction may provoke and worsen the pain, while moving in the opposite direction may eliminate the pain and restore function. Using the MDT assessment to understand these directions of preference, the clinician determines which movement and posture becomes the treatment, and the necessary exercise dosage.
How much will it cost?
It will depend on your insurance company and the plan you have that determines your out-of-pocket costs. For private pay, an initial visit is $90, and all following treatments are $60. You many have to meet a deductible. which is a set amount you have to pay for covered services prior to your health insurance plan paying. Once you have met your deductible, and are still receiving covered services, you may have a copayment and/or coinsurance, while your health insurance covers the rest. Copayments vary per plan, and can range from $1 - $75. Please remember that coinsurance is different and separate from copayments. Be aware that out-of-pocket limits do not include your monthly premiums, out-of-network care, or services not covered by your plan.
Do you take insurance?
Please see the list for which are currently accepted, and which are still pending. Before coming to your initial visit, please verify your insurance benefits by contacting your insurance.
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Cigna, Medicare, United Healthcare – in-network
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, Humana, Aetna – pending
Do you accept students who want to shadow or do clinical rotations?
Of course! Please contact me through info@mvmtphysicaltherapync.com to discuss further.
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Do you take insurance?Please see the list for which insurances are currently accepted. Please be aware there may be some specific out-of-network plans even within these insurances. Before you come to your first visit, please verify your insurance benefits by contacting your insurance. Cigna (excluding Pathwell Specialty plan) Medicare United Healthcare Aetna Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
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How much will it cost?The price you pay will depend on your insurance and the plan you have. For private pay, an Initial Visit is $100, and all following treatments are $70. **Important** You may have to meet your deductible before the insurance provides any coverage.
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What are deductible vs copay vs coinsurance?Deductible: This is a set dollar amount that varies per plan and may or may not apply to physical therapy. Your deductible applies to PT - You are responsible for the full cost of physical therapy (this is different than the private pay amount) until you meet the set dollar amount of your deductible. Once you have met your deductible amount, the insurance company will then pay for PT. Please be aware that you may have still a copayment and/or coinsurance, while your health insurance covers the rest. Your deductible does NOT apply to PT: Your insurance plan covers PT from the initial visit, and you do not have to pay the deductible amount first. You may still have a copay or coinsurance. Copay: This is a set dollar amount you pay per visit. Copayments vary per plan. Coinsurance: If you have a coinsurance, you then are responsible for a certain percentage of each PT visit. For example, you may owe 10% of the total visit, and the insurance pays for the remaining 90%. We will not know what you owe for the coinsurance until the insurance company sends back how the payment was processed.
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How do I know which appointment to schedule?Please see our Services page. If it is your first time coming into clinic, please choose the Initial Visit. If you have started physical therapy, and are actively continuing, please choose the Standard Visit option. If you have been here before, but it has been over 3 months since you have been seen (even for the same issue), please choose the Initial Visit option.
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How does physical therapy work?Physical therapy is labeled as conservative care, which means non-surgical care. In the 7 years of school physical therapists learn how to evaluate and identify musculoskeletal and neurological deficits, educate our clients, as well as strengthen and stretch the problematic areas. All physical therapists learn different skills while training, meaning we all treat slightly differently. Some prefer more hands-on approaches through manual therapy, while others use modalities such as electric stimulation, ultrasound, as well as dry needling. I tend to use exercise-based treatment that is direction specific based on the McKenzie Method as my main treatment. Physical therapy is designed to help you understand what the problem is, and use a blend of treatment to fix the issue. It does require time and diligence to see results.
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How does the McKenzie approach work?The belief is that most musculoskeletal pain is “mechanical” in origin, which notes an abnormal forces or mechanics occurring in the tissues. If a mechanical force caused the problem, then it is a logical that a mechanical force may be part of the solution. This system is designed to identify the mechanical problem, develop a plan to correct or improve the mechanics, and thereby, decrease or eliminate the pain and functional problems. In the simplest, and most common, instance this may mean that moving in one direction may provoke and worsen the pain, while moving in the opposite direction may eliminate the pain and restore function. Using this assessment to understand these directions of preference, the clinician determines which movement and posture becomes the treatment, and the necessary exercise dosage.
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What is the McKenzie Method?The McKenzie Method of MDT is a reliable exercise-based approach of assessing, diagnosing, and treating all musculoskeletal problems, including pain in the neck, back, and extremities. It also addresses issues such as radicular pain, sacro-iliac joint pain, arthritic pain, and degenerative disc disease.
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Why do we use it?It is a well-researched and reliable assessment process that doesn't use expensive diagnostic imaging, and therefore more accessible to you.
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Why do we love it?McKenzie focuses heavily on educating you to understand the specific problems and give you control of your own symptom management.
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Do you accept students who want to shadow or do clinical rotations?Of course! Please contact me through info@mvmtphysicaltherapync.com to discuss further.
