Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years, we have had many questions asked by our patients.  The following is a summary of some of the most commonly asked questions and our answers:

What should I expect at Cornerstone Physical Therapy?

On day one, you will be greeted by a friendly staff that offers you personalized treatment designed to meet your goals. 

On your first visit, you will also have a detailed evaluation to determine the scope of your pain and dysfunction. Our therapist will be in communication with your physician to design your optimal plan of care. You will be treated in a modern facility, with state of the art equipment and treatment techniques, utilized to help you recover with the highest quality of care.

Your treatment will be updated daily to meet your need to progress towards recovery.  Every visit, you will be treated by our therapist, our physical therapy assistants, and our aides. A home program will be incorporated to enhance your recovery and prevent further occurrences. We will work with your insurance company.

The highest quality of physical therapy services reduces cost by shortening length of treatment and eliminating unnecessary treatment.

Most importantly, from evaluation to discharge, you will be aware that you and your concerns will be important to us. We will make every effort to serve you as our most important patient.

What should I bring with me?

X-rays, MRI's, or any other reports would be appropriate to bring.  Bring your insurance card, a list of any medication, and your doctor’s referral.  Bring workman’s compensation papers, if yours is a "work related injury".

How should I dress?

We may make suggestions on the type of attire you should wea. For example, if you have a lower extremity problem, such as in your hip, knee, or ankle, it would be best to wear a pair of shorts. If we can more easily access an area for treatment, we may make suggestions on the type of dress that may enhance your treatment.

How long will each session last?

Each visit can vary greatly, depending on the type of therapy that you receive. At Cornerstone Physical Therapy, take pride in our patient scheduling, which virtually eliminates waiting time. The majority of your time here will be actively spent in physical therapy. The average time involved is 45 minutes to an hour.

How many visits will I attend?

Everyone progresses differently with their different problems. On your initial visit, your plan of care will have an estimation of the amount of visits that will be needed to ensure your rehabilitation. You will be part of the decision making process and definitely be made aware of the amount of visits following your initial evaluation.

What do physical therapists do?

Physical therapists deal with neuromuscular rehabilitation and dysfunction. The major reason that a person will go to a physician, beyond the common cold or flu, has to do with neuromuscular dysfunction. We are part of the medical profession that evaluates neuromuscular pain and dysfunction, establishes a treatment plan through that evaluation, and treats you through that problem. We use various modalities to help reduce pain and swelling.  We institute exercises to help as far as strength, flexibility, stabilization, proprioception, and endurance. We use manual techniques to correct the soft tissue and joint dysfunctions, as appropriate.

Do I need an order from a physician?

In Pennsylvania, until just recently, an order was necessary from a physician to see a physical therapist. Within the last few years, there have been those who have been awarded Direct Access.  Bill Bailey is accredited as a “Direct Access Provider.”  This means that, if the patient’s insurance allows (which the majority of private insurances do), you can see a physical therapist without an order from a physician.  The law states that we can see you for 30 days and, if treatment would go beyond that, we would need to have you be evaluated by your physician.

NOTE: Medicare requires a physician order without exception.

Who pays?

Physical therapy is part of the medical profession that is covered through health, auto, and workman’s compensation insurances, including Medicare. Generally, with most insurances, there is the combination of deductibles and co-pays or coinsurance responsibilities. Prior to your leaving our facility, at the end of your first visit, we will make all attempts to help you be aware of your exact obligations for payment, according to your personal insurance coverage.

Who will see me?

At Cornerstone Physical Therapy, you will be initially seen by a physical therapist who sets up your treatment plan. On each of your subsequent visits, you will be seen, perhaps, by the physical therapy aide, who will work with the parts of your treatment for which she is qualified, you will be seen by the physical therapy assistant, who will do their part of your treatment, and you will definitely be seen by your physical therapist, who will do his part of your treatment.

What is a physical therapy specialist?

In the physical therapy profession, specialist certifications have been awarded to those physical therapists that have shown particular expertise in a certain part of physical therapy. This requires a certain number of years in the field, many credits of continuing education, various extra obligations in physical therapy such as teaching, giving seminars, and being published in journals. The physical therapist, then, has to take and pass the specialization testing.

At Cornerstone Physical Therapy, Bill Bailey holds his specialist certification in both Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Physical Therapy.

Can I go to any physical therapy service?

Once your physician recommends physical therapy for you or you decide to go through Direct Access, the choice is yours as to where you go. There is no difference in going to a pharmacy with a prescription. You can go to whatever physical therapist you desire. As with any treatment in healthcare, it is best to go where quality services are rendered.

How do I choose where to go for physical therapy?

As with any healthcare choice, there are certain aspects of the practice that would compel you to that practice:

  1. Reputation and experience
  2. Specialty training and expertise of the therapist
  3. Friendliness of staff, their ability and desire to answer questions, and facilitate entrance into the practice
  4. Outcome and results seen by other patients
  5. Reputation of the therapist as seen by your physician
  6. Quality of the facility
  7. Equipment
  8. Ease of access to the facility
  9. Upon initial phone conversation - ability to answer questions, friendliness of the staff and a general feeling of confidence in your choice for physical therapy