Patient Information for Physical Therapy

We are contracted with most major health insurance plans (please note that we do not have any contracts with HMO plans). For inquiries about your insurance coverage, including direct access to services, please contact our office. We are here to assist you in verifying your insurance benefits and addressing any physical therapy FAQs you may have.

What is Direct Access? It refers to your ability to directly refer yourself to physical therapy, enabling you to schedule an appointment with our clinic without needing to see a physician first. This means your physical therapist can evaluate you immediately under your insurance coverage and provide treatment right away. Early intervention through physical therapy can lead to a quicker recovery and help you return to your normal activities sooner. Did you know that most insurance plans in California include 'Direct Access'? Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you in getting back to living life to the fullest as quickly as possible. For additional information, check our physical therapy FAQs.

How long is each therapy session? Your initial session with us will last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Each follow-up visit will be roughly 45-60 minutes, based on your needs identified during the evaluation. 

Isn't physical therapy painful? At Crest Physical Therapy and Wellness, we do not subscribe to the 'No Pain, No Gain' mantra. While you may experience some discomfort with manual techniques used to loosen joints or soft tissue, it should never be painful. 

How many visits will I need to recover? Since no two injuries are the same, we treat each individual uniquely. During your evaluation, your therapist will collaborate with you to identify your goals and determine what is needed to achieve them. This personalized approach will help develop a plan tailored to your needs to get you back to your normal lifestyle as quickly as possible. 

What should I wear to visits? It is advisable to wear loose, comfortable clothes that allow your therapist to adequately expose the injured area to provide the necessary treatment to help you reach your goals. 

Will I be sore after treatment sessions? You should not experience 'pain' after treatment sessions, as our goal is to restore function without aggravating the injury. 

Do I need a prescription? Most insurances support direct access for physical therapy, which means you typically do not need a prescription for the initial treatment of your injury. However, you may need to obtain a prescription if your injury requires longer treatment than what is allowed under direct access (30-40 days) or if your insurance plan does not cover direct access. Contact us, and we can help you determine what is needed based on your insurance coverage. 

Do I need to go to the clinic that is on the prescription? NO! A prescription for physical therapy is valid at any outpatient clinic, giving you the flexibility to choose the best facility to meet your needs.