FAQs
About The Orthopedic Center
Q: What types of orthopedic physical therapy conditons do we treat?
A: We treat neck and back pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, bursitis, joint and soft tissue injuries, hand injuries, fractures, and pre and post surgical conditions including joint replacement. We also treat headaches, and arthritic conditions including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Workplace injuries such as carpal tunnel, cumulative trauma, and stress disorders can also be treated.
Q: How long does each physical therapy session last?
A: A typical physical therapy session lasts for 60 minutes with a combination of exercise, manual therapy, stretching, modalities and patient education regarding their condition and techniques to self-manage their symptoms.
Q: How many visits will I have to attend in physical therapy for my condition?
A: The average number of visits is 8-12 depending on the severity of the injury.
Does my insurance cover physical therapy?
A: Orthopedic Rehabilitation Associates is a preferred provider on many HMO’s and PPO’s. Physical Therapy services are generally covered by insurances with a copay or deductible. Orthopedic Rehabilitation participates with these insurance panels.
Q: Can Physical Therapy help me get rid of my back and neck pain?
A: Physical Therapy is a proven treatment for back and neck pain. We have found great success in helping individuals decrease their levels of pain and improve their level of function.
Q: How will I stay better after I stop physical therapy treatment?
A: From your first visit at Orthopedic Rehabilitation Associates you will be empowered with information about your condition and techniques to manage your symptoms. We will issue you a written home routine on your first visit and update it on subsequent visits with advanced techniques for home use.
About The Personal Wellness Center
Q: What types of incoininence conditions will benefit from physical therapy?
A: Urinary stress, urge, and mixed can benefit. Also, fecal incontinence problems can be addressed.
Q: How long does each physical therapy session last?
A: Typically, 45 minutes in a private setting, one-on-one with a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.
Q: How many visits will I need for my condition?
A: The average number of sessions is 8 to 12 – depending upon the severity of the incontinence.
Q: Does insurance cover physical therapy for incontinence?
A: Orthopedic Rehabilitation Associates is a preferred provider on many HMO’s and PPO’s. Physical Therapy services are generally covered by insurances with a copay or deductible. Orthopedic Rehabilitation participates with these insurance panels.
Q: How successful is Physical Therapy for Incontinence?
A: The average success for incontinence is about 80% – depending on prior surgery and a patient’s ability and motivation to do a home exercise program.
Q: What will be involved in the first session of Physical Therapy?
A: The physical therapist will perform an evaluation of your posture and spine as well as an examination of painful areas externally. A review of the pelvic floor muscle anatomy and its function will also be performed to help with awareness and education. A very gentle internal assessment may be performed with a gloved finger to feel trigger points and areas of soft tissue restriction. (Note: if a patient is not comfortable with the internal assessment, he or she can always choose to decline the examination.
Q: Why will Physical Therapy be helpful in treatment for pelvic pain conditions?
A: Excess tension in the pelvic floor muscles may cause or bring about pain in the coccyx, vagina, rectum, or perineum areas. Tense muscles restrict blood flow and cause more tension and often results in chronic pain problems in the pelvis. Specialized physical therapists can help release constricted pelvic tissue and incorporate specific relaxation techniques to break the cycle of pain.
Q: Will the treatment be painful?
A: At first there may be some discomfort, but the patient is always in charge and informs the therapist when to increase or decrease the treatment of painful tissue. As sessions progress, less and less pain will be experienced. When biofeedback is used as part of the treatment, there is no pain at all. Biofeedback sends signals about muscle activity and it is displayed on a computer monitor. External and/or internal sensors may be used.
Q: If I need scar tissue therapy in a personal area, will a female perform it?
A: Yes, only a specially trained female physical therapist or physical therapy assistant will perform therapy – and, of course, in a private room.
Q: How soon can scar tissue therapy be done after surgery?
A: Therapy can begin when all scabbing over the scar area is gone, your surgeon gives approval and provides you with a prescription for physical therapy.
Q: Will my scar look better following Physical Therapy?
A: Scars will usually fade naturally over time, depending on skin type and color, but a scar may begin to look smother and feel softer as restriction of the scar improves
About Pregnancy and Post-partum Care
Q: How can physical therapy for low back pain or neck help during pregnancy?
A: Physical Therapy is safe and gentle treatment for pregnant women. Reduction in painful areas and improved posture and body mechanics promote a healthier, less stressful and more comfortable pregnancy.
Q: Is it normal to leak a little urine after having a baby?
A: It is never normal to leak urine unless you are close to delivering a baby or about nine months pregnant. Proper strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles will usually solve the problem. Specialized physical therapy with the use of biofeedback is extremely effective to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles.
Q: IS it normal to have pain from my episiotomy evin if it is healed?
A: Childbirth and episiotomy may cause vaginal pain even after the scar is well healed. Specialized physical therapy can help reduce and even eliminate scar pain. Intercourse should never be painful.
About The Balance Center
Q: What can I do at home to reduce my chance of falling?
A: Remove tripping hazards such as throw rugs and clutter in walkways; use non-slip mats in your bathtub and on shower floors; have grab bars put in next to the toilet and in your tub or shower; have handrails put in on both sides of stairways; and, improve lighting throughout your home.
Q: I have really strong legs and ride a stationary bike, what could be causing my problems with balance?
A: Balance comes from three sensory systems: Visual, Somatosensory, and Vestibular. Even if you are very strong and have good endurance, balance can be affected by poor vision or weakness in your vestibular system
Q: What is the Vestibular System?
A: The vestibular system is your balance center, which is housed in your inner ear. It has nothing to do with your hearing. Its two main purposes are to help you sense your
position in space and to help your eyes stay stable with head motion. If you have a
weakness in your vestibular system you may experience vertigo, imbalance or blurred vision.
Q: I got into bed and the room started to spin. Could I have Menieres Disease?
A: Typically Menieres Disease is characterized by attacks of vertigo/spinning that last anywhere from 20 minutes up to 24 hours. Often patients experience fullness and ringing in one ear, as well as hearing loss.
Dizziness that lasts only seconds up to a minute is often Benign Paroxysmal Positional cause of vertigo and very common affecting up to 50% of the population. BPPV is characterized by vertigo that lasts usually less than 60 seconds, when a person’s head is moved to a specific position. The most common complaint is vertigo brought on by getting into bed, and rolling over in bed.
Q: I have diabetes and cannot feel my feet. Is there anything tht can be one to improve my balance?
A: Balance therapy cannot improve neuropathy, but it can help you compensate for it. Therapy is aimed at strengthening your other sensory systems (visual and vestibular) and compensating for the lack of sensation through assistive devices and specific proprioceptive exercises. Proprioceptive exercises basically help your knees, hips and trunk compensate for the lack of sensation in your lower legs and feet.
Q: How long will it take to improve my balance?
A: Balance therapy cannot improve neuropathy, but it can help you compensate for it. Therapy is aimed at strengthening your other sensory systems (visual and vestibular) and compensating for the lack of sensation through assistive devices and specific proprioceptive exercises. Proprioceptive exercises basically help your knees, hips and trunk compensate for the lack of sensation in your lower legs and feet.
About Physical Therapy and ORA
Q: Do you accept my insurance?
A: We are on most insurance panels. As you are aware, the details of health insurance policies vary greatly. Please, give us a call and we will contact your insurance company to verify benefits and will call you back with the details.
Q: Where are you located?
A: We have three locations in Colorado Springs. The first is on Austin Bluffs Parkway, just three blocks west of Academy Boulevard, at 3425 Austin Bluffs Parkway. We are in suite 105 (there is a large maroon awning leading to the entrance). A second location is in a medical building on Tutt Boulevard, near the intersection of Powers and Stetson Hills. We are one block east of Powers and about one-half mile north of Stetson Hills. The address is 6160 Tutt Boulevard, suite 240. The third locationis on 1230 Tenderfoot Hill Road. We are insuite 155 , near the World Arena.
Q: How long does each session last?
A: Most sessions last from one-half hour to over one hour. The length of treatment depends upon your individual medical situation and the progress being made.
Q: What is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy?
A: A physical therapist is trained to treat the entire body. A occupational therapist specializes on the hand, wrist, and elbow.
Q: I work full-time so how can I keep therapy from interfering with my work?
A: We offer appointments from 7AM and to 7PM each workday. We can also schedule appointments on Saturday morning if your schedule requires.