Welcome to Preferred Physical Therapy

We are here to get you back to being active, independent, and enjoying your health for many years to come... all while brightening your day.

Here is What To Expect On Your First Visit

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring your proof of ID (driver’s license), insurance card (if applicable), any information the doctor may have given you that pertains to your injury or problem. This can be a referral, MRI or x-ray reports, post operative reports, or any other special instructions given to you regarding your injury.


Should I arrive early to fill out paperwork?

Yes, about 15 minutes early... If you would like to download and fill out the forms ahead of time, click here. Please fill in the blanks on your computer, print, and bring them with you on your first visit. You can also print off the forms and fill them out by hand or you can fill out the paperwork in the clinic before your appointment, whichever is easiest and most comfortable to you.

If you choose to fill out the paperwork before coming in, then you don’t need to come that early... arriving a few minutes before your appointment will be just fine.


What should I wear?

That depends on what is being treated. Typically loose fitting clothing that will allow for you to modestly reveal the area of pain is the best. If we are treating a knee or thigh area, loose fitting shorts are very helpful. You can also bring them with you and change into them in our private bathroom. If it’s a shoulder area that we are treating a tank top or loose t-shirt is also helpful. Again, if you have anything specific to ask, don’t hesitate to call (623).486.3333.


Does it matter what shoes I wear?

Typically shoes that are comfortable for you to walk in and do some light exercise in are a good choice. Also shoes that are easy to remove if you are being treated for your foot or ankle. Of course, you are always able to bring running shoes or athletic shoes with you to change into if you think you may need them.


How long will my appointment take?

Your first appointment, called an initial evaluation, will usually take over an hour and up to an hour and a half depending on what is going on with your individual case and if you have the paperwork filled out. In this initial evaluation with the physical therapist we talk about your case, take measurements for joint motion, strength and do any clinical test appropriate for your case to help identify the tissue responsible for your problem. We also formulate goals that will determine if you had a successful physical therapy experience. Follow up appointments are much closer to an hour because the evaluation and paperwork portion are already done.


Will I get treatment the first day?

Yes! We’ll treat you and give you an exercise program (with pictures and descriptions) and have all the equipment (for purchase) you'll need so you can perform them at home. This will complement the hands on portion of our treatment plan very nicely. The exercises also help further identify what may be causing your problem. So it may be a good idea to keep a record of what exercises help or hurt your problem after the first visit.


How often will I need to return to physical therapy?

That will depend on several things. It will depend on what your doctor recommended, what we recommend based on our evaluation, and what your insurance plan allows. Typically doctors recommend 2-3 visits each week for 4 weeks, or 8-12 visits. At the end of this prescription of PT we will do a re-evaluation. This is where we re-evaluate the measures we took in our initial evaluation (first visit) to see the progress made. If you are where you want to be and have achieved your therapy goals then you are ready for discharge to continue at home with your home program (we strive to make this happen). If you are making progress but aren’t quite where you want to be with your improvement we recommend you continue another round of physical therapy (more common with more complex issues). In the event you are just not getting better, you will be referred back to your doctor to pursue more aggressive treatment options (we hope this doesn’t happen, but unfortunately we can’t fix everyone as fast as they want to be fixed).


P.S. We are here for you. We are with you every step of the way. Keeping you informed and comfortable is of the utmost importance. From knowing how the therapy will progress to understanding how the billing process works with your insurance to making you feel comfortable with the care you are receiving. Don’t hesitate to call, we would love to answer any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.

Remember...We want you to find “JOY” in your JOURNEY.


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