You must have a prescription from your medical doctor that includes a diagnosis before you schedule your physical therapy visit. After you have obtained a prescription, call the office and we would be more than happy to schedule an appointment for your initial evaluation.

You will be asked to bring your prescription from your medical doctor and provide your insurance/medical card as well as fill out some initial paperwork. You will then be evaluated by one our physical therapists who will ask you to provide information on your injury followed by an assessment of :

         Strength
         Range of Motion
         Flexibility
         Palpation of the injured area
         Balance

Your physical therapist will then make an assessment based upon your diagnosis and the findings above and implement an appropriate treatment and exercise program.

Bring or wear appropriate clothing such as a t-shirt or tank top for shoulder, neck and back injuries; shorts for knee and ankle injuries.

Each visit generally lasts 1 hr and on occasion 1.5 hrs. Much of this time is spent with the physical therapist however the physical therapy aide may set you up with heat, ice or ultrasound and also guide you through simple exercises.

The physical therapists at RSPT have over 18 years of combined experience in the South Bay. We have consistently seen patients from nearly all the local orthopedic surgeons, the physicians at Kerlan and Jobe and many internists and other specialists. We also have had many patients who have had surgery or seen a physician in another part of Los Angeles, a different city or even out of state. In all cases, we receive a physical therapy prescription from the physician with your diagnosis. After the initial evaluation, if there are any further questions, need an MRI/X-ray results or post operative reports, your physician will be contacted. In addition, each subsequent visit to your physician is preceded by a progress note from us that outlines your physical therapy program and progress. The treatments that you receive from RSPT will be communicated often with your physician and your entire treatment will be seamless.

Most patients are treated two to three times per week. The total duration of physical therapy will depend on the severity of your injury. The more committed you are to your recovery, the more likely you are to recover faster. We set up permanent appointment times, two to three weeks in advance, to help make scheduling consistent and convenient.

Some patients will need to continue with home exercises. Other patients will have completed their rehabilitation and can return to normal daily activities. Others may even wish to continue with a gym exercise program. It is important that you communicate with your therapist to set up your long-term goals.