What is Direct Access for Physical Therapy?

Considering physical therapy? Did you know that a physician’s referral is not necessary for you to get treatment from a physical therapist? This expedited process is known as Direct Access for Physical Therapy. At Advance Physical Therapy, we are direct access providers – which means that you do not need a referral from a physician to benefit from our variety of treatments! Thankfully, New York is one of the few states that allow direct access to physical therapy.

What are the Benefits to Direct Access?

The primary benefit of direct access is that it reduces wait times to receive care. You do not need to initially visit your primary care physician for a prescription or referral!

Often, patients wait until an injury has impacted their lives severely before considering physical therapy. When patients head to their primary care physicians, they often receive X-rays and prescriptions for pain relievers that do not tackle the patient’s injury or pain directly. In the end, your doctor might recommend physical therapy to help your treatment regardless.

With direct access, you can get expedited treatment for your injury/pain, and hopefully start to feel better sooner than you would have originally!

Do I Need Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy isn’t just for athletes, it can be beneficial to just about anyone, especially those who are feeling discomfort in a specific area. Consider some of the following benefits when evaluating whether or not you should pursue physical therapy:

  • Pain relief.
  • Improved flexibility.
  • Recovery from surgeries (ACL, joint replacements, etc.).
  • Balance disorders.
  • Spine rehabilitation.
  • Geriatric rehabilitation.
  • General health and fitness improvements.

Whether you’ve strained a muscle, recently had surgery, or simply want to be in better physical shape, physical therapy might be the answer for you!

Is There a Direct Access Physical Therapist Near Me? Advance Physical Therapy is a direct access provider for physical therapy. We offer a variety of treatment programs that all begin with an individual assessment of the patient’s specific needs. Our professionally licensed doctors will then craft a treatment plan to alleviate pain and get you back to your everyday life!  Please read our patient testimonials or send us an email to make an appointment today! Advance Physical Therapy of New York puts your health first!