Direct Access
How to See a Physical Therapist Without a Doctor’s Referral
Are you frustrated with delays in getting a visit to see your doctor? Do you wish you could go directly to your physical therapist to help with your pain or injury? At Dresher Physical Therapy, we can see patients with or without a doctor’s referral.
Not every state in the US allows for evaluation and treatment without a physician referral. With direct access, you do not need to wait to get help! In technical terms, bypassing the physician’s referral is called “direct access.”
If you’re disappointed when you hear there are no available openings for you to see your doctor for another week, call Dresher Physical Therapy so we can help you get started on relief and recovery.
If you require physical therapy for a chronic condition or recent injury, call our clinic today to request an appointment and get started on your journey towards a pain-free life.
What is Direct Access?
Direct access allows you to be in control of your healthcare and the speed at which you’re able to receive it. Direct access laws allow patients to receive an evaluation and treatment from a physical therapist without a physician’s referral. This means less time and money spent trying to find a solution to your pain and discomfort.
Direct access eliminates unnecessary delays for people who would benefit from treatment by a physical therapist. In addition, bypassing the physician visit and referral to other practitioners can reduce expenses, achieve improved functional outcomes, and eliminate the frustration of unnecessary delays in addressing your healthcare needs.
At Dresher Physical Therapy, we believe that allowing individuals to make decisions regarding their health care is best practice. By eliminating the referral requirements, health care is more accessible.
Recent studies have shown that direct access led to fewer physical therapy treatments, fewer visits to physicians, fewer tests, and fewer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e., ibuprofen and naproxen).
The most important findings were that patients were more satisfied with the service than the group referred by the physician, and costs to patients were lower. If you are interested in getting better quicker and saving money simultaneously, then take advantage of direct access and request an appointment with a physical therapist!
How physical therapy can help YOU!
Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common health problems leading to pain and disability as the number of people suffering from pain and injuries exacerbates the financial burden.
Physical therapy can manage most musculoskeletal conditions (i.e., back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, etc.) without physician involvement. Direct access allows patients to self-refer directly to the physical therapist, avoiding intermediate steps through other health professionals that lengthen the path to recovery.
Physical therapy is a safe, healthy, and effective way to combat various acute and chronic pain conditions — all without the use of harmful and addictive pain medication and unnecessary testing.
Our physical therapists are movement specialists, educated in analyzing mobility issues with walking, running, jumping, bending, stretching, and almost every other form of physical activity. We know how to pinpoint your problem areas and create a customized treatment plan to improve or relieve your pain.
We are also skilled at helping you prevent future injuries, maximize sports performance and improve your overall health.
Some of the most common conditions the physical therapists at Dresher Physical Therapy treat include:
● Sprains and strains
● Arthritis (i.e., osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
● Back pain and neck pain (i.e., herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, stenosis, muscle strains, etc.)
● Weaknesses
● Balance and gait impairments
● Headaches
● Joint pain
● Inflammation and edema
Our physical therapists help patients strengthen their muscles and joints, improve their range of motion, prevent re-injury, improve balance, build endurance, and experience pain relief, all without the unwanted harmful risks of drugs or surgery.
Request an appointment to learn more about physical therapy
Dresher P.T. is here to provide support to you every step of your recovery journey. Our success depends upon your success, and we strive to create a warm, welcoming environment where you can heal safely and comfortably.
Call our clinic to learn more about direct access and schedule an appointment with one of our skilled and attentive therapists. We’re here to help you feel better and reach your goals!
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30393813/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5574358/
https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article-abstract/101/1/pzaa201/5999910?redirectedFrom=fulltext
