100 million adults in the US alone suffer from pain and loss of function, but statistics show that only about 8% utilize physical therapy for treatment. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see that those numbers just don’t add up.
If only 8% treat pain with physical therapy, we’re afraid to know what the other 92% are doing. We can tell you one thing for certain: they are wasting time and money seeing doctors who do not specialize in their condition, paying for unnecessary medications and treatments, and prolonging their own pain relief. We could even go as far as to say that the majority are most likely ignoring the problem entirely, which is the biggest mistake of all!
While physical therapists have gone through years of training in how to administer care, they often lack the skills to promote their services to the public. Most physical therapy curriculums only offer a few basic courses in marketing and advertising, and it’s understandable that science and clinical training take priority over developing students’ business acumen. When we need a healthcare practitioner, finding a qualified professional who can effectively treat our pain takes precedence over finding a decent physical therapist who is good at marketing. This is why most of what you’ll learn within this blog hasn’t been in the public spotlight until now.
State-specific direct access laws regarding self-referral to physical therapy have emerged and evolved over the course of the last two decades. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to spread the word: “No Prescription Required!” Yet no matter how many people we’ve reached, it’s still astounding how many are completely unaware that they can receive treatment without seeing their physician first, and are even more unaware of how physical therapy is capable of helping them get rid of their pain for good.
Once a person learns that they can get insurance-covered physical therapy treatment quickly, they will often refer themselves to a PT practice at the onset of pain, and recommend doing the same to family and friends.
We’ve heard from a vast number of patients who have shared their stories, saying that utilizing direct access makes their lives easier – no more waiting weeks or even months to get an appointment with a physician. This “newfound” access to immediate treatment speeds up recovery time, which makes for a faster return to work and daily activities. Patients are especially happy with the amount of money they save on unnecessary copays, medications, MRIs and, in some cases, even surgery.
The biggest barrier in physical therapy is the public misconception of how the process works. It’s like going on vacation; if you’re anything like us, you’re going to try to find the lowest fares with the fewest stops between you and your relaxation destination. It’s the same in healthcare: we want to spend as little money with the fewest appointments necessary to relieve our pain and restore function. Direct access is a first-class, non-stop flight to pain relief paradise, and all for the price of a bus ticket.
Getting healthcare help can be intimidating for new patients and their families. Between technical jargon, varying insurance plans, specialists, medication, and even surgery, it can be overwhelming. It’s like trying to navigate your way through a maze without understanding the map. Think of direct access as the express lane through that maze; the “road to recovery” that leads back to a normal, pain-free life.
Reading this post is the first step to understanding your rights, getting relief from pain and living your best life. Now that you’re on your way, we encourage you to share this article with someone else who may need it!
#THINKPTFIRST 