Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a prescription for physical therapy?

No. Oklahoma State law permits direct access to physical therapy for 30 days without a physician referral. However some insurance’s, including Medicare, Soonercare and Worker’s Compensation still require a prescription for therapy. It is a good rule of thumb to contact your insurance to see if they require a referral to pay for your treatments. You remain the responsible party to Action PT for any treatments in the case of an insurance denial. If you are unsure if you are an appropriate candidate for physical therapy feel free to contact our office nearest to you to inquire about a free screening.

Do I need a prescription for occupational therapy?

Oklahoma state law requires a prescription/referral from your doctor to attend occupational therapy. However, a screening can be performed by a licensed occupational therapist without prescription. This can help determine your need for occupational therapy or other services. Feel free to contact our office nearest you to inquire about a free screening.

What is physical and occupational therapy?

Physical and occupational therapy is an individualized, conservative treatment provided by licensed professionals to improve your ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.

Physical and occupational therapy is appropriate for a wide variety of diagnoses and conditions, including orthopedic conditions such as low back pain or osteoporosis; joint and soft tissue injuries such as fractures and sprains; post surgical conditions; sports injuries; neurologic conditions; and workplace injuries.

Physical and occupational therapy provide services for people of all ages, from newborns to the geriatric population. Physical and occupational therapy can be provided only by qualified, licensed therapists or by a licensed assistant who works under the supervision of a physical or occupational therapist.

Who are physical and occupational therapists?

Physical and occupational therapists are licensed professionals with a graduate degree from an accredited program. The minimum educational requirement is a bachelor's degree, yet most educational programs now offer the doctorate degree.

Advanced board certification can be achieved in a clinical specialty after passing a comprehensive examination. Action Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation employs a Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

In addition to the education physical and occupational therapists have, the individualized, "hands on" approach characterizes physical therapy care that is highly valued by patients.

How do I find a therapist?

Most importantly you have the freedom to choose your own physical therapist.

Most importantly you have the freedom to choose your own physical or occupational therapist.

Your health professional may recommend a certain therapist because of their expertise.

Your physician may refer you for physical or occupational therapy that is to be provided in his or her office or to a facility in which he or she has a financial interest. If either situation is the case, insist that your physical therapy be provided by a qualified licensed therapist. Many people find their therapist by talking with friends or family, or even by looking in the telephone book or on the Internet.

It is important that you are satisfied with your therapist and the setting. If you are not happy you have the right to go somewhere else.

What do I bring on my first visit?

Referral slip from your medical doctor if you have Medicare, Soonercare, or filing as a worker’s compensation claim
Your medical insurance card
Your photo ID
If you are getting therapy as a result of a worker's compensation claim or an automobile accident, you will also need to bring your claim information, including claim number and any additional information you have.
Your new patient forms if you have printed them off of the website and filled them out.

If you have not filled out the new patient forms, please arrive 15 minutes early on your first visit to fill out any necessary paperwork.

What happens at the first visit?

Unless you have already downloaded and completed new patient forms, paperwork will be completed. Please allow about 1 hour for your initial visit.

The initial consultation consists of a thorough review of the patient's medical history leading up to the injury/illness. A comprehensive examination is performed, and includes the assessment of posture, joint mechanics, range of motion, strength, muscle integrity, and flexibility. A plan of care is then developed by your therapist with goals and interventions that are tailored to your specific needs. Following the evaluation, we educate the patient about the injury and how the course of rehabilitation will proceed. Treatment is typically initiated on this initial visit. You should feel comfortable asking your therapist any questions regarding your course of care, including specifics regarding interventions and expectations.

How long will I need to come to therapy?

This depends on your diagnosis, age, and rate of progress. Usually most patients complete a course of therapy between 4 and 8 weeks.

How long is each visit?

Each visit will last 60 - 90 minutes on average. Times vary due to the treatment and exercises being performed.

How often do I go to treatment?

The regularity of your visits will be determined after your initial evaluation and is based on your physician's and therapist’s recommendation, but most patients attend 2-3 visits each week.

What clothes do I need to wear?

Generally for physical and occupational therapy it is good to wear clothes that you would wear if you were going to go to the gym for a workout. It also depends on what injury you have. Clothes that will allow your therapist to easily work on your injury should be worn. If you are coming in for a lower extremity injury like knee or ankle, shorts are appropriate or loose fitting cotton pants. For an upper extremity injury such as shoulder, a tank top or a t-shirt is appropriate.

Will it hurt?

Typically the treatment will not hurt. You may have mild soreness or swelling as a result of treatment, which you should tell your therapist about prior to your next session so treatment can be adjusted accordingly. Ongoing assessment and adjustment means that the risk of any injury or complication from therapy is very low.

Can I choose where I want to have therapy?

Yes. The choice of where you receive therapy is always yours. While the majority of our patients come to us by physician referral/recommendation, many clients request to see us due to our strong clinical reputation in the community.

Will you share my health records?

Your physician will receive a copy of your plan of care following the initial evaluation, followed by re-evaluations, progress notes and discharge notes. If you are filing as workers compensation, we are required to send our evaluation and any other requested paperwork to your case manager or responsible party. Release of your information to your attorney or anyone other than your doctor will require a signed release form.

Do you correspond with my referring doctor?

We pride ourselves on our open lines of communication with every referring physician. We send a summary of your initial evaluation to your referring physician and we follow up with a progress note every four to six weeks.

How important are the home exercises?

Home exercises and patient education are the keys to a quick recovery. Consistent performance and repetition give you the opportunity to aid your own healing process.

Does your facility accept my insurance?

We participate in the majority of major health insurance plans including Medicare and Worker's Compensation. Please contact us prior to your first visit to see if we participate with your specific health plan.

Does your facility submit claims to my insurance company?

As a service to our patients, we will gladly file claims with your insurance company on your behalf. In order to appropriately submit these claims, we will need to obtain a copy of your insurance identification card and photo identification to ensure that we have the necessary information.