Physical therapy near me now: 5 benefits of direct access PT

Physical therapy can be beneficial for a variety of conditions and injuries. From aches and pains to sports- or work-related injuries, physical therapy can help set you on the road to recovery. It makes sense why you’d want to find a physical therapy clinic near you right now.

Fortunately, in the state of Maine, you have direct access to physical therapy. Continue reading to learn more about direct access physical therapy and five ways it can benefit you today.

What is direct access physical therapy?

In some states, patients are required to get a referral from a primary care physician to see a physical therapist. However, Maine is a direct access state. This means that you can go directly to physical therapy without a doctor’s referral. You also have the right to choose any physical therapy clinic, even if directed to go to a specific location.

Direct access physical therapy means that patients can decide for themselves to seek physical therapy for their current symptoms or condition. They may contact a physical therapy office and make an appointment without first obtaining an outside referral.

Patients who want insurance to help cover the cost of their care should check with their insurance provider to see if a doctor referral is required for coverage. 

Prior to setting up your appointment with a direct access physical therapy clinic, it is also helpful to know:

• Do you have an HSA or HRA?
• Is your insurance plan an HMO or PPO?
• Have you received PT from another clinic this year? Have you had other medical treatment recently?
• Is your injury work related or due to a car accident?

This information allows your physical therapist to be informed about your prior medical care and what options might be available to you for coverage.

Direct access has many potential benefits for people looking for physical therapy near them right now. In the case that physical therapy can’t help with your current symptoms, a physical therapist can still refer you to the proper health care professional.

5 benefits of direct access to physical therapy

• More control — Direct access gives you more control over your treatment. If you have an injury or are experiencing pain, discomfort or stiffness, you can decide how and where to see care. Physical therapists are licensed professionals who specialize in muscular, skeletal and movement disorders in patients. You can trust that a physical therapist will be able to address the root cause of your symptoms. If they can’t, a physical therapist will refer you to another form of treatment.

• More cost effective — Direct access allows you to go directly to a physical therapy office near you now. You can avoid having to pay for a doctor’s visit in order to receive a referral for physical therapy. A physician may also order costly diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your symptoms before suggesting physical therapy as treatment. At a direct access PT clinic, you can sometimes get a free screening as part of your initial appointment. A free screening will often include a physical therapist determining the source of your pain and recommending a treatment plan. This means you can get guidance on your medical care from a physical therapy clinic near you right now at no cost.

• Less time consuming — You can schedule a visit to a physical therapy clinic near you right now instead of waiting for a doctor’s appointment and then scheduling a PT appointment. Instead of spending time waiting, you can start your healing journey as soon as possible. The time you save with direct access physical therapy also makes it easier to make PT a part of your routine. Regular physical therapy appointments can become a part of your routine for injury prevention, fitness and overall health.

• Quicker results — A primary care physician may want to try other treatment options, such as medication, before referring you to a physical therapist. With direct access, you can get the care you need right away. The sooner you start physical therapy, the sooner you will begin to see results.

• Coordinated care — You may want to seek care from a doctor for your particular condition or injury. When used alongside medical treatments, physical therapy can support and accelerate recovery. Physical therapy can also help patients regain their strength, mobility and limb function after major surgery. When you contact a direct access physical therapist, they can work with your other health care providers to help coordinate your treatment. This allows you to get comprehensive care without having to wait on a medical doctor to decide that you would benefit from physical therapy.

Need physical therapy right now? Find a Back in Motion PT clinic near you 

No referral? No worries. Back in Motion Physical Therapy offers direct access PT treatment. You can find a physical therapy clinic near you and schedule a visit with one of our licensed 

health care specialists right now. 
Getting help should be easy. With Back in Motion, it can be. Contact us today to schedule an initial appointment or free 15-minute screening.