Direct Access Physical Therapy

Did you know that you don’t need to visit a doctor before visiting a physical therapist for treatment? While it’s true that doctors often recommend that their patients treat their pain and injuries with physical therapy, you also have the option to visit a physical therapist without going through a doctor first. This is all thanks to the Direct Access policy.

What is Direct Access?

As of January 1, 2015, all U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands grant patients the ability to seek some level of treatment from a physical therapist without needing a referral from a physician beforehand. The full extent of what services you can seek from your physical therapist without physician referral varies from state to state. 

Some states still require you to seek a referral before treatment for certain conditions and injuries. You can check your state’s Direct Access policy here before scheduling an appointment with our team for treatment or visiting your physician.

What are the benefits of Direct Access?

Direct Access is beneficial for patients like you in many ways, including:

• With Direct Access, you can bypass unnecessary hurdles in your treatment process. No longer will you have to endure pain and limited range of motion while waiting for a physician’s referral. Instead, you can receive the treatment you need right away, reducing the time spent in pain and maximizing your recovery period. Say goodbye to delays and embrace a smoother path to healing.
• Direct Access physical therapy is safe — Some people are concerned that a physical therapist is incapable of diagnosing conditions. This is far from the truth. Physical therapists receive extensive training in diagnosing the source of your pain and developing personalized treatments that help. Physical therapists have very low rates of malpractice, and states with full Direct Access show no increase in malpractice suits than states without strict regulations.
• Direct Access lowers your overall health care costs —By bypassing the requirement of a physician visit prior to receiving physical therapy, you not only save money that would have been spent on the visit itself, but you also eliminate the potential delays and inconveniences associated with scheduling appointments and waiting for the referral. This streamlined approach allows you to access the necessary treatment more efficiently, empowering you to prioritize your well-being without unnecessary obstacles.
• Direct Access helps you reduce dependency on medication — Physicians may occasionally prescribe or suggest pain medication as a treatment option before referring you to a physical therapist. However, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks of this approach. Pain medications can be addictive and may lead to undesirable side effects, potentially compromising the quality of your recovery.
  
  Treating your pain with physical therapy instead of medication helps you manage your pain and recover faster without the risk of addiction or side effects. 

Schedule an appointment with SSOR today

Patients in Kansas are eligible for Direct Access care from a physical therapist at SSOR. Our team is highly trained and skilled in diagnosing your pain and developing personalized treatments to help you reach your recovery goals.

The goal of our treatments is to help reduce and prevent pain using methods like:

• Therapeutic exercises
• Gentle stretches
• Joint mobilization
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Posture guidance
• Patient education and more

In Kansas City, Kansas, patients are allowed direct access to physical therapists, meaning they don’t need a referral from their primary care physician. We encourage you to talk to us or your doctor about getting started with a physical therapy program. Schedule and appointment today at Westwood, Shawnee, Prairie Village & Overland Park, KS centers to learn more and get back to the healthy pain-free life you deserve.