Information Center

1. What is Physical Therapy?

As quoted in an editorial that appeared in PT Magazine in October 1999, the publisher sums up what he defines as physical therapy:

"Physical therapists are good people to know. They're educated in understanding the interaction of all your body parts. Their hands-on approach begins with examination, diagnosis, and treatment of the immediate problem. Then they teach you how to take care of yourself by showing you how to do exercises and how to use your body properly to gain strength and mobility and prevent recurring injury. You'll find them advising on proper posture and body motion in the work place, treating injuries, consulting on fitness, and administering physical therapy in the home. Today physical therapists provide help for every part of the body to everyone from infants to the elderly - more than 1 million people every day!"

2. Who needs Physical Therapy?

Anyone with pain, limited movement or limited function, relating to any body part, is eligible for physical therapy services. So, if there is something that keeps you from doing what you need to do, come in and see us.

3. What type of Physical Therapy do you offer?

We specialize in treating all types of orthopedic and occupational injuries, as well as neurological and pediatric injuries.

4. How do I get physical Therapy?

It's easy! If you already have a physician referral (any specialty or general practitioner) all we have to do is schedule you an appointment. New York State Law requires physical therapists to have a prescription from a physician in order to provide physical therapy services. However, physical therapists can perform an initial evaluation without a doctor's referral. If we determine that physical therapy is necessary, we would need a physician prescription for follow up care and treatment. Our next step is to write up a copy of your evaluation and send it to your physician, along with our recommendations.

5. How long does it take to schedule an appointment?

Not long at all! We generally schedule an appointment within a few days of your call.

6. How long is my appointment?

Your first appointment is an hour long. We appreciate if you come 5 minutes early to fill out your paperwork for your first appointment. Follow up appointments are anywhere from 30-60 minutes long.

7. Do I need to wear anything special to my appointment?

It varies with which body part we are treating. Generally, we like to be able to see what we are treating. So, we prefer shorts for the knees, ankles, and feet; we prefer elastic waistband pants/shorts for the mid/low back and hips; we prefer tank tops for the neck, shoulders and arms.

8. How often will I have to come?

It varies, depending on the severity/acuteness of the condition. Generally, we schedule between 1 to 3 times per week.

9. What does a treatment consist of?

Again, this varies based on condition and diagnosis. Generally, our therapists use a combination of manual therapy, modalities and exercise with every treatment.

10. What is manual therapy?

Manual Therapy means hands-on therapy, and it can incorporate a wide variety of skills. It includes massage (deep and superficial soft tissues work), joint and spinal mobilization (manually moving your joints in your extremities and trunk), neuromuscular reeducation (training mind and body connection), muscle energy techniques (using muscle contraction for stretching and mobilizing), and manual traction (manually applying traction), to name a few.

11. What are modalities?

Modalities are machines that we use to supplement our manual treatments. Modalities can include electrical stimulation, ultrasound, iontophoresis, hot/cold packs, and paraffin.

12. What kind of exercises?

Again this varies from person to person, depending on severity and acuteness of your condition. We do exercises lying down on a table, exercises standing up at our mirror and bar, exercises sitting down (easy to do at work for home exercise program!), exercises with walking, exercises with our accessory equipment (theraband, theratubing, body tubing, balance board, rocker board, mobilization straps, free weights, dumbbells, graded steps, foam rolls, physioballs, mobilization balls) and exercises on our machines (treadmill, bicycle, upper body cycle, and pulley system).

13. Am I responsible for anything other than showing up for my appointment?

A solid home exercise program is crucial to a complete recovery. Again, depending on your particular condition and diagnosis, we tailor a specific home exercise program just for you. Home exercise programs can consist of stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, better ways to position yourself while sleeping, pointers for improving your posture, body mechanics training for sitting, lifting and carrying, and/or modifications to your work and home environment.

14. Where are you located?

Chamberlain Physical Therapy,
4 Oak St #B
Pawling, NY 12564

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