What should I expect on my first visit?
I will perform a deep dive into what is bringing you in. You will be able to tell me what is going on with your body, changes (if any) you've been experiencing, how you're feeling, sleeping and eating and how all of these variables are affecting your daily life. I will perform a thorough neuromusculoskeletal assessment which includes strength, flexibility, joint and muscle restrictions, gait and posture. If specific activities such as lifting weights or running are symptomatic, their form and mechanics will be assessed as well. Following the assessment, you will be educated on my findings and how they relate to what you're experiencing. Typically, the first visit includes a significant amount of manual therapy to aid in decreasing pain/symptoms. You will also be given a list of activities to aid in furthering the symptom relief until your next visit. Consider me your Recovery Sherpa, I am your guide in this process and here to help you get yourself better.
Do I need a Doctor's referral to be seen at Southeast Physical Therapy?
No. In the State of Georgia, since 2015, you can seek the care of a licensed Physical Therapist without a referral from a Physician. In fact, a 2018 study showed that patients with low back pain who saw a PT first experienced lower costs (out of pocket, pharmacy and other outpatient procedures) after 1 year and saw an 87% decrease in the likelihood of receiving an opioid prescription.
If you are experiencing an orthopedic condition, such as low back pain, please call me directly at 678-640-4606.
Do you accept health insurance?
We are an out of network provider and payment is due at the time of service.
After years of working as an in-network, insurance provider it became crystal clear that the insurance companies dictating "allowable care" for patients was not the best way for clients to receive treatment. Most traditional PT clinics treat several clients at the same time and often pass the treatment off to aides/techs to permit even more patient volume. This increased volume does not allow enough time for the Physical Therapist to focus on the patient for more than a few minutes. My business model allows me to place all my focus on each and every patient for the entirety of their visit. The benefit of this model is that if often results in much fewer visits and a similar cost when compared to traditional, insurance-based clinics. When you compare copays, travel time, gas and energy spent in traffic while going to PT 2-3 times per week; the overall cost ends up being much higher compared to receiving personalized care from me 1-2 times per week.
Can I bill my insurance to cover any out of pocket expenses?
Yes, many insurers offer out of network benefits and can receive some reimbursement. You may request a "super bill" that includes all of the necessary information to submit to your insurance company. I recommend you call your insurance company before submitting the claim as each company's processing steps are different. The insurance company will then mail the reimbursement directly to you.
Can I use my HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account)?
Yes, you can purchase individual visits and visit packages this way.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is a manual therapy technique used by Physical Therapists in treating muscle knots which are referred to as trigger points. The technique utilizes a single monofilament needle which is inserted into these points to "deactivate" or release these points to reduce pain and improve range of motion. Dry needling is considered postgraduate training and clinicians in the state of Georgia must meet specific requirements to perform this technique.
