FAQs

At Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation, our physical therapists are highly educated, licensed health care professionals who are dedicated to helping their patients get results.

• What is physical therapy?

  Physical therapy is a medical, hands-on approach to relieving pain and restoring function. Physical therapists are medical experts in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and work closely with physicians. Our physical therapists evaluate your movement patterns, identify the cause of your pain, and work to eliminate it.

  While every patient’s condition and pain is unique, your physical therapist will use a variety of gentle hands-on techniques, exercises, and equipment to relieve pain quickly and restore your function to optimum levels. The overall goal is to restore pain-free mobility and function and to prevent the injury or pain from recurring.

• How do I know if physical therapy will help me?

  Working with you and your doctor, we can discuss your options and help determine if physical therapy will be the right choice for you. Contact us today to discuss your current condition and even set up a free consultation if you choose.

• Can I go to any physical therapy I choose?

  As a patient you have the right to receive physical therapy at any place you choose. At Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation, you will receive the highest quality care while achieving the results you need.  We pride ourselves on providing a positive, encouraging environment with well-trained, friendly staff.  We are confident in our ability to help you reach your goals and live a pain-free life.

• What areas do you serve?

  We provide physical therapy services to patients from many areas including (but not limited to): Overland Park, Prairie Village, Olathe, Lenexa, Martin City, Leawood, Mission, Mission Hills, Fairway, and Country Club Plaza.

• Why should I pick SSOR? There’s another place closer to work/home that’s more convenient.

  You should choose SSOR because we promise results quickly. You won’t have months of endless physical therapy and you won’t be passed around among a host of people. You’ll have a plan in place from the day you start and you’ll know the “hows” and “whys” of your condition.

  We won’t try and squeeze more money or visits out of you either – you’ll get what you need. Your time is valuable and we won’t be wasteful. Furthermore, we acknowledge money may be tight for your family. We have families of our own and respect people’s financial needs. We’ll design a program that most suits your financial and personal needs and interests. If you’re still not sure, check out our many happy customers on our Testimonials page or check out our reviews on Google. We’re confident that we’re your best choice and we hope you’ll let us earn that confidence.

• Who is the ideal patient for treatment at SSOR?

  We are experts in musculoskeletal physical therapy. Therefore, you are ideal for us (and we for you!) if you meet any of these criteria:

  • • • You have generalized pain of the spine or extremities

  • • • You have a post-operative condition of the spine or extremities

  • • • You are motivated to take charge of your pain or limitations and want to take personal responsibility for your condition, but don’t know what you need to be successful

  • • • You previously had physical therapy with limited or no success – we are confident our approach and perspective will re-engage you in the physical therapy process

  • • • You are a competitive athlete or “weekend warrior” who wants to get back to sports at the highest level possible with the least amount of risk for re-injury

  • • • You expect more from your physical therapy experience than just hot packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and massage

  • • • You are goal oriented and expect results quickly

• I want to come to you for physical therapy. How does that process work?

  As of July 1, 2013, you no longer need a physician referral to come to physical therapy in the state of Kansas. Therefore, if you need physical therapy, just give us a call and we’ll get you in promptly. We also welcome patients that have seen their physician and have a prescription for physical therapy. This is particularly useful if you have had surgery recently and have specific instructions from your doctor. If you aren’t sure if physical therapy will help you or if you don’t want to delay being seen by a medical physician, we offer free 15-minute screenings.

• How do I schedule an appointment?

  Our scheduling is easy and we offer a convenient location and appointment times for you. We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule. Contact us today.

• What should I bring to my first appointment?

  Please have your prescription and insurance card available when you call. This will allow us to verify your insurance benefits and provide you with an estimate of coverage.

  To bring on your first visit:

  • A prescription (if needed) for physical therapy from your referring physician, ARNP, or PA.
  • Insurance information (we will make a copy of your card).
  • Print out the patient forms, fill them out, and bring them with you.
  • In case of an automobile accident or worker’s compensation claim, also bring any case manager or insurance adjuster contact names, phone numbers, and claim number.
  • Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork, so you can maximize your time in your evaluation.
  • Please wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your problem areas.

• Will it hurt?

  Physical therapy is not meant to hurt, but to relieve pain. However, as you restore your mobility, pain levels, at times can fluctuate. You might experience some temporary soreness from using muscles that are weakened or recovering. This is a normal response to therapy treatment. Good communication with your therapist will help minimize any discomfort. We want you on your way to quick pain relief and back to normal activities.

• Does insurance cover my treatment?

  Click here to see the insurance plans that we accept.

• SSOR is out of my insurance network. What should I do?

  SSOR is in-network with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, Medicare, and United Health Care. If you have another provider, we offer a cash-pay option. We highly encourage you to submit your claims anyway if you pay cash. Some insurance companies will reimburse you. The estimated costs for your first visit is $150, and most patients who pay cash do 30-minute sessions after and those are estimated at $100. However, we can adjust for each individual patient’s needs.

  We are very sensitive to the financial constraints that health care can put on families. Because our expertise is orthopedics and sports, we assure you that your treatment plan will be effective and evidence-based; therefore, you will only get the PT you need. Further, we will work very hard to educate you on a home plan so you can do your program independently. Many patients go to in-network providers and pay months of co-pays and have little to no results. We will get you results quickly at SSOR. The value of our care will be evident to you within a couple of weeks.

  We believe the value of our services is worthwhile because your program will be individualized and you will not be passed around from provider to provider. If you do choose not to use us for your physical therapy needs, let us help you find in-network providers that will best suit your needs.

  Estimated costs are subject to change.

• Do you accept Medicare? How about Medicaid?

  We are happy to accommodate our patients on Medicare; however, we do not accept Medicaid at this time.

• My child is under 18 years old. Do I have to be at every appointment?

  If your child is under 18 years of age, please be present for the first visit to sign forms and authorize us to treat him or her. Following the first visit, your presence is not necessary.

• What type of payment do you accept?

  We accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. We are happy to discuss payment plan options as well. It is our policy that payment is made at the time of service. Your insurance benefits will be determined before your second visit, and you will be informed of what, if any, payment is necessary on that date.

• What is your cancellation policy?

  We understand that circumstances change and you may need to cancel or reschedule your appointments. We respectfully request as much notice as possible so we can provide that time to another person if needed. If there is a pattern of no-shows or cancellations, your physician will be notified and you may be discharged from our care. This will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

• What do I wear?

  Dress comfortably with clothes that allow easy access for the therapist to examine your problem areas. For treatments, loose fitting clothes that are comfortable for gentle exercises and supportive sneakers are often good choices to wear.

• How long will my therapy sessions last?

  Typically, the first session lasts for 1 hour 15 minutes. Each session after that may be 45-60 minutes. The amount of time will be based on your specific needs, and your therapist will discuss this with you.

• How many sessions will I have?

  Each patient’s diagnosis is different, so together with your referring physician, your therapist will develop a plan of care that is right for you. Your plan of care and number of visits will be determined during your first visit and explained to you by your physical therapist.

• What types of education/training do your therapists have?

  Physical therapists have years of university level training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (study of joint movement), neurology, and many of the other medical sciences. Our physical therapists have graduated from accredited physical therapy programs and are state licensed. Depending on the university, the physical therapy program is either a masters or doctorate level degree. Rest assured, your therapist is well trained to evaluate and treat your condition.

• Do you offer programs for me once I’m better?

  Yes, once you have completed your therapy sessions, your therapist will review your continuing home program. We can make recommendations for what exercises can be helpful in your continued recovery.