Using physical therapy as your first treatment strategy for lower back pain can actually reduce your costs by up to 72%.

But physical therapy is only as successful as your therapist. Choosing an efficient and compatible therapist can be instrumental to your recovery.

However, just as with any field of work, competency levels vary among physical therapists. This makes finding the right specialist a daunting task.

Here are five tips to guide on your search for a physical therapist in Tampa:

1. Insurance

Get to understand the specific details covered in your health plan to avoid paying out-of-pocket expenses for your physical therapy. Find a physical therapist clinic near you to verify whether or not your plan is acceptable to them.

Also, contact your insurer to cross-check the physical benefits covered in your health plan. This will help you understand how much will go into your physical therapy care. As a result, you’ll make better financial decisions for your treatment.

2. Therapist’s Experience

Experienced physical therapists are more likely to yield better results.

Find a PT who’s licensed and dig further into their credentials to verify if they have any advanced certifications. Some of the key certifications include Sports Certified Specialist (SCS), Women’s Health Certified Specialist (WCS), and Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS).

Keep in mind that less experienced therapists can be equally beneficial based on their skillsets and ability to work with patients.

3. Research on the Ideal Physical Therapist in Tampa

Different clinics offer different physical therapy specializations such as joint replacement, sports medicine, and neck strain therapy. Besides these specializations, their therapists may have additional certifications which you can leverage for a quicker recovery.

Visit as many of these facilities as you can to get enough information for an informed decision. Also, go online and search for past patient reviews on various clinics.

If a clinic offers free injury screening, use that opportunity to get more insight into your condition. Additionally, use this chance to interview your potential therapist.

4. Compatibility with your Therapist

Your physical therapist ought to be your support system. Therefore, choose to partner with a professional who’ll help you succeed in your recovery journey.

Consider a therapist who you can communicate with well in case you have questions. A strong working relationship with your physical therapist can hasten your recovery.

5. Determine the Clinics Cancellation Policy

Billing policy differs between various clinics. Some clinics charge their patients on a flat fee basis even if they fail to show up for appointments. If you fail to give a notice 24 hours prior to your visitation, you may still be charged.

Your potential clinics should fully disclose their costs and no-show policies. This will help you avoid unnecessary fees.

Please note, here at AJ Therapy Center, we DO NOT charge for cancellations.  We appreciate that things can change in your schedule and do ask for a phone call to reschedule, but we will not charge a fee for having to cancel or a missed appointment.

Find Your Next Physical Therapist in Tampa

At AJ Therapy Center, our physical therapists are well-trained, experienced, and knowledgeable to offer you the best possible services. We take pride in our state-of-the-art therapy facilities that ensure a comprehensive and individualized treatment process for our patients.

If you need a physical therapist in Tampa, feel free to contact us.

Do you need to find a physical therapist? One of the first things you’ll do is to do a search online and look for a physical therapist near me.

That’s actually more common than you’d think. About 82% of smartphone shoppers start with a near me type of search.

The next question becomes how you can decipher those results to find a physical therapist that is right for you?

Want to know more? Read these steps to find the right PT near you.

What Are Your Needs?

Why do you specifically need a physical therapist? If you’re one of the 166,000 in Florida who has an auto accident related injury over the past year, you would want a PT near you who is capable and has experience with auto injuries.

You might have localized pain, such as low back issues, that you can’t seem to manage on your own. Once you identify your specific physical therapy needs, you can then start to narrow down your options.

Look for the PT’s Specialties

After you identify your needs, and you search for “physical therapy near me,” it’s time to narrow down your options.

The physical therapist you work with should have experience and specialize in your particular area of need. They should also stay up to date in the industry and follow the best science-based practices.

Physical therapists will differ in their treatment methods, too. Some might have had extra training in areas like movement correction. However your physical therapists work with you, they should be able to tell you why and how treatments will help you get better.

Questions to Ask Your PT

Before deciding on a physical therapist, you’ll want to contact them to ask them questions. This will give you an idea as to how they work and whether or not they will be a good fit.

• Do you accept my insurance?
• Do you have experience working with my particular type of injury?
• How long are the appointments?
• Do you rely on passive modalities like an ultrasound?
• Do you submit claims on my behalf?

These questions are important to ask because you want to make sure that your appointment runs smoothly and meets your expectation.

Some physical therapists will use passive modalities like ultrasound while others are more exercise focused. Others will take the needs of the individual into consideration and then create an appropriate treatment plan that uses a variety of methods.

The Search for a Physical Therapy Near Me Ends Here

Hiring the right PT for your needs is an important decision. These tips are meant to guide you in finding the right physical therapist before you do a search for “physical therapy near me.”

If you’re looking for a physical therapist to recover from an auto accident or need help to manage pain, we can help. Our state of the art facilities are equipped to assist you with any physical therapy needs. Contact us today to find out more.

According to research, 10%-20% of people in the United States have reported experiencing neck pain. While this number seems fairly low, it encourages those who are going through neck pain to figure out which treatment is best for them.

Fortunately, there are many options when it comes to neck therapy. From trigger point injection to neurostimulation therapy, technology has provided patients with numerous options.

Have you considered trying mechanical traction for your neck pain? Let’s talk about the medical benefits of mechanical traction.

What Is Mechanical Traction?

Mechanical traction is the method used in therapy that helps stretch your muscles and take pressure off the discs and nerves that are connected to your arm. Because this form of therapy creates a separation between your joints and neck, it will alleviate the pressure built up in this space over time.

1. Increases Mobility

One of the greatest benefits of mechanical traction is that it increases mobility. Neck muscles are undeniably one of the most used muscles in the human body.

Also, this is one of the muscles that immediately reacts after an accident, which means you may find yourself dealing with severe stiffness or a serious injury. Fortunately, mechanical traction can help with this type of pain.

2. Helps With Herniated Discs

Did you know that mechanical traction is great for those dealing with herniated discs in their neck? While many doctors inform patients that surgery is their only option, ask your therapist if your medical condition can be treated with mechanical traction.

If approved, you’ll soon see why this kind of therapy has been used in the past to treat bulged and herniated discs.

3. Helps With Cervical Spondylosis

Those who deal with Cervical Spondylosis are usually dealing with a condition that affects the nerves that are connected to the spine. Fortunately, mechanical traction is a great, cost-effective solution for patients dealing with Cervical Spondylosis

4. Spasms

The effects of whiplash and spasms are two of the most common injuries patients experience after a car accident. If you’re unsure of which therapeutic route to take after dealing with muscle spasms of the neck, see about undergoing mechanical traction and watch the spasms decrease with each session.

5. Joint Pain

Last on the list of the benefits that come with mechanical traction is the overall relieve of joint pain. From cricks on your neck to stiffness- mechanical traction is the perfect remedy for the relaxation you need.

Learn About Mechanical Traction And More!

Whether you’re considering mechanical traction for your neck pain or are simply looking for a physical therapist to get you on track, we’re here to help. AJ Therapy Center has been around since 2013, providing patients like you, prime therapy for all your injury needs. We know how hard life can be after an accident and strive to point all of our clients in the right direction and better health.

Have questions about the services that we provide? No worries. Feel free to visit our Frequently Asked Questions section and see which one of our services are best suited for you.

No one plans to get into a car crash, and when they happen, it can change your life!

Car accidents are too common these days. In fact, there were 2,443,000 car accident related injuries reported in 2015 alone!

On top of car repairs, legal proceedings, and time off from work, the injuries caused by car accidents can be debilitating.

A new and effective way to treat a variety of pain from car accident injuries is a paraffin bath.

There are tons of benefits to using warm wax treatment, but we have listed a few of the ways it can help relieve car accident pains. Keep reading to learn how paraffin can get rid of your pain!

1. Joint Pain Relief

Lingering pain in your joints can be a nightmare. A great way to treat this kind of pain is thermotherapy, or heat therapy.

Using this kind of treatment on your joints will reduce pain by increasing blood flow and reducing stiffness. Mobility will increase as the stiffness decreases, allowing you to move with ease again.

Paraffin is so effective at treating joint pain that it is often used to treat people with chronic arthritis and fibromyalgia as well!

2. Calming Paraffin Bath Therapy

Many people think of physical pain resulting from a car crash, but there is often emotional pain as well!

Studies show that up to 80% of crash survivors experience PTSD between 1 and 6 months after the accident.

Paraffin treatments can treat anxiety and depression and it is safe to use on pregnant women and older patients!

3. Burn Pain Relief

Sometimes, a car accident can cause painful burns. Even if the car is not on fire, heat from the engine (or other hot metals) has the potential to cause a severe burn.

Using paraffin wax on the burn area can help draw out the pain and residual heat, causing a soothing sensation for raw nerves on your skin.

4. Muscle Pain Relief

If you are looking for an alternative to traditional muscle pain physical therapy, this treatment may be your ticket! Wax baths help with inflammation and muscle spasms as well as treating pulled muscles and/or sprains.

Make sure to look at your insurance policy coverage so you can maximize your insurance payout for your physical therapy.

5. Damaged Skin Healing

Seatbelt abrasions are very common injuries in car accidents. It can leave long-lasting and painful marks across your chest.

A paraffin wax bath can help speed the natural healing process of your skin by encouraging dead skin to slough off and new, healthy skin to replace it.

The wax can also soften and reduce calluses on hands and feet. Any dry or cracked skin can reap healing benefits from paraffin.

Wax Away the Pain

With so many health benefits you can enjoy from a paraffin bath treatment, there’s nothing to lose… except the pain!

Don’t let car accident pain keep you from getting back to normalcy. Let the wax melt your pain away.

Call or email us to schedule an appointment for your paraffin therapy today!