We’ve all had those “injuries” that don’t let up. They start out as small aches and pains in your back or just a little bit of stiffness in your hip or leg. The pain isn’t so bad that it makes you quit running, biking or even just walking around normally throughout the day, but it builds up and eventually, after ignoring the discomfort for so long, one day you hear a startling pop quickly followed by a sharp pain that completely takes you by surprise.
So what do you do? Reach for the ibuprofen and get the ice pack out while trying to remember what the rest of the RICE acronym stands for (rest, ice, compression and elevation)? But that’s not enough. It doesn’t go away and you’re left in pain that just sticks and a terribly reduced quality of life as you navigate your day trying to figure out how to not agitate this “new” injury.
You’ve dealt with the “minor” aches and pains long enough to have a good idea of what happened, but you’re not sure if your situation warrants a hospital visit. In fact, you already know that the right attention from a physical therapist could figure out exactly what happened and get to work helping you heal and recover if you saw one–but you’re waiting. You’re waiting because you think you need a doctor to refer you to a physical therapist, you’re waiting because you think you can just keep resting and it will heal and rehabilitate on its own or you’re waiting because you’re nervous about what your insurance will cover.
There’s no reason to wait.
What’s Stopping You?
Let’s play a little Mythbusters:
Is it true that you need a referral/prescription from an orthopedist, podiatrist or family physician to see a physical therapist?
The answer – Not at all!
Washington State allows you to see a physical therapist directly without seeing another physician beforehand.
This is called “Direct Access,” and is different from state to state–lucky for us in Washington, however, we can take full advantage of it.
In fact, of the four levels of physical therapy access available to consumers, Washington State has what is called “Unlimited Direct Access.” That’s good news for anyone who wants to get in, diagnosed, treated and back to living their lives without the pharmaceutical bureaucracy blocking out your options with red tape.
Anyone living in a state with Unlimited Direct Access is able to visit a physical therapist for as long and as frequently as they want to.
Your Next Steps
Your next step should be the one that brings you towards getting back to your life and your goals as fast as possible. There’s no need to bounce between doctors juggling referrals until one finally lands you the Doctor of Physical Therapy that you need, you can come right on in and talk to us directly.
In fact, if cost is a concern for you we offer free initial evaluations at Lilly Physical Therapy. We go over all costs with you before you begin treatment and even have no-interest payment plans for anyone who needs it.
Our mission, before anything else, is to make sure that we can provide you the help you need to heal and return to your life the way you want it to go. Whether that means running marathons, sparring at the jiu-jitsu studio, being pain-free at work or just being able to enjoy your weekly walk around Greenlake again, we’re here for you.
Call Lilly Physical Therapy now to schedule your free evaluation.
Phone: (425) 224-2476
