Frequently Asked Questions

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a branch of medicine that deals with decreasing pain, improving mobility, and preserving or enhancing functional independence in people after an injury, illness, or surgery. Physical therapists (PTs) are highly trained health care practitioners that have advanced college degrees that diagnose and treat musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, and other diseases, conditions, or injuries that affect movement or cause pain.

What is fascia and myofascial release?

Myofascial release, also referred to as MFR, is a specific form of manual (hands on) therapy that focuses on improving the mobility and fluidity of the connective tissues, known as fascia, throughout the body. Through injury, trauma, or illness restrictions occur in the fascial systems. These restrictions can cause up to 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch of the body, therefore affecting muscles, bones, blood and lymphatic flow, and many other bodily processes. Restoring normal fascial mobility is an essential component of healing. MFR is a gentle, yet highly effective technique, that focuses on sustained pressure into myofascial restrictions to improve myofascial mobility.

What makes Navigate Physical Therapy different than other providers?

Navigate Physical Therapy strives to provide you with the highest quality of one-on-one, personal physical therapy services. We work with only one patient at a time in private treatment rooms. We get to know you personally to better assist in your needs from physical therapy. We believe that our role in your recovery from illness, injury, or surgery is to evaluate, treat, educate, and help navigate your path to improved mobility and less pain. We will work closely with your referring physician to help you achieve your goals.

Do you take my insurance?

Insurance networks and coverage changes frequently. We are in network with Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and HSA plans. We can work with most PPO insurance plans of other carriers, which we will pre-certify prior to your first appointment. You are responsible for notifying us of any insurance changes. Additionally, we can work with work injuries and motor vehicle accident claims on a case-by-case basis.

What is a copay or co-insurance?

Typically, most insurances cover a portion of healthcare expenses. Plans typically have deductibles, copayments, or co-insurance. A deductible is the amount of money out of pocket that a patient is responsible for paying prior to the insurance covering treatment. A co-payment is a flat amount per visit that is the patient’s financial responsibility. A co-insurance is a shared financial responsibility in which the patient is responsible for a preset percentage of the costs (i.e. in an 80-20 plan the insurance company pays 80% and the patient is responsible for paying 20%). Some plans may have both a deductible and a co-insurance.

What should I expect on my first visit?

Your first visit begins with registration and completing the required paperwork and taking copies of your identification and insurance cards. We will need to have a prescription for PT signed by your doctor. You will then be interviewed about your injury or problem and a physical examination by a physical therapist. As time permits treatment may begin on the first visit. Appointments typically last 45-60 minutes.

What types of things can physical therapy help?

It would be exceedingly difficult to make an inclusive list of all that can be helped with physical therapy. To oversimplify, if you are having pain, trouble moving your whole body or parts of it, feeling weak, trouble with balance or posture, or you want to improve sports or athletic performance, physical therapy may be able to help.

How long will it take to get better?

How long it takes to “get back to normal” is on a case-by-case basis. Many factors impact recovery including personal medical and surgical history, personal health habits (exercise history, smoking, eating habits), motivation, stress, etc., making it difficult to have a set guideline for how long it will take. Being open and honest with your therapist, as well as being on time to all appointments, participating in your appointments, and performing home exercises and recommendations will impact your recovery outcomes and length of time.

What is direct access?

Direct access is the ability in Illinois to see a physical therapist without having to see your doctor first to get a signed prescription for PT. Currently, Illinois allows for up to 10 visits of PT over the course of 3 weeks without medical authorization. HOWEVER, the direct access laws do not mandate your insurance to pay for these visits. We may be able to begin treatment without a referal from you physician. We will work with your insurance to determine to determine if you have Direct Access coverage and will work with you and your physician to obtain a referal if one is needed.