Therapy Referrals – FAQs
This post addresses general rules and FAQs for referring patients with orthopedic problems to physical therapy. To take a look at our Referral Guideline, click here.
Therapy Referral Advisor
If you haven’t read the introduction/explanation, please click here and do so first.
Therapy Referral Advisor – Introduction/Explanation
How Do You Know When to Refer?
Well, this is an attempt to help you arrive at a decision with your patient’s best interest at heart, relying on evidence (peer-reviewed studies, quality assurance studies), experience, and situational considerations.
If you have previously read this introduction, click here to get to the full guidelines or click here to see our Referral FAQs.
Therapeutic Exercise – Terms Defined
These are a few of the most common terms used to describe therapeutic exercise
Therapeutic Exercise – What Is It?
Therapeutic Exercise is Prescribed Exercise
Each component of prescribed exercise is targeted specifically to change some parameter of function within your body. A parameter of function may be flexibility, range of motion, strength, muscular, or cardiovascular endurance.
The Role of Pain in Injury and Rehabilitation
“Is it OK for me to do _____ right now?”
Patients often ask that, or a variation of the question such as “I’d like to do _____ this weekend, but I wasn’t sure if I should avoid that or not.” Read more
Relationship Between Hip Strength and Knee Function
Research Update
Anecdotal evidence over several years has been augmented recently by research evidence quantifying the relationship between strength of the hip girdle musculature and knee function. Most recently, an article published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy examined the relationship between hip strength and unilateral patellofemoral pain in female patients. This study specifically examined the presence or absence of hip girdle weakness in the involved (painful) lower extremity, compared with the uninvolved extremity. Read more
One-On-One Treatment
What Does One-On-One Treatment Mean?
When we say that we provide “one-on-one treatment,” it means that our full attention will be focused on you during your appointment. That means that we don’t split your time with another one, two or even three patients, as is common in some other physical therapy clinics. Read more
Mechanical and Inflammatory Pain
A Common Question
A patient asked me a question today that I get from time to time: “If I get one of those spinal injections…is that a cure or does it just cover up the pain?” The answer is a little more complex and needs some background to explain fully. One of the determinants in diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic problems is the concept of mechanical versus inflammatory pain. Read more
