Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make an appointment?
It is easy to set up an appointment with our Doctors or a Certified Personal Trainer. Just call (415) 480-8011 or email us at optwinc@gmail.com and we will set up a comprehensive evaluation and assessment session.

What should I wear to my session?
Whether you come for Physical Therapy or Personal Training, we ask that you wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing. Shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, etc. are all perfect. Dress for comfort and ease of movement to the degree that will leave you physically and mentally most relaxed for the session. Athletic shoes are our preferred footwear.

What does a typical session look like?
Depending on your current level of function the Physical Therapist or trainer will sit down with you and design a simple yet comprehensive plan of action. Your trainer will evaluate your energy for the day so that the session is not overexerting. Some sessions will involve more movement, weights, stretching, repetitions, or cardiovascular exercise than other sessions.
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Each session typically begins with a warm-up and ends with a cool-down. During some sessions, your trainer may take time to discuss your diet and overall health. Depending on your purpose for coming to OPTW Inc. your trainer may request a three day written food and water intake to assess your health. Exercise/motor movement is only one component of a healthy lifestyle. By educating a client about their health we are encouraging a holistic approach to wellness.
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So that you are able to understand the importance of each exercise our trainer will briefly describe the benefits of the exercise and demonstrate how the exercise is performed. Our staff is always willing to listen. If something causes pain or discomfort your trainer will modify the exercise or stretch and see that the exercise is benefiting you and not harming you.
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If you have any questions during or between exercises feel free to ask. We are ALWAYS willing to listen!

What should I bring to my initial evaluation?
We ask that you please bring the following to your first appointment:
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Insurance card / Medicare / Medical card
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It is only necessary to bring your insurance or Medicare card if you are using them. We can see clients without insurance coverage. Click here for more information on Insurance coverage and payments.
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No prescription is needed, but if you were referred by a medical professional
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A medical professional's prescription or referral is only necessary if you plan to bill insurance. We can see clients referring themselves. Click here for more information on the use of and obtaining prescriptions for therapy.
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Identification
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Athletic shoes, athletic shorts, and shirt
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Form of payment
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We accept major credit cards, cash, money orders, PayPal, and check. OPTW Inc. also bills Medicare, Medical, and major private insurance companies. Click here for more information about our EasyPay options.
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What should I expect from my initial evaluation?
A typical evaluation and assessment session runs about 55 minutes. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early as you may need to fill out the necessary paperwork if you have not filled up the patient questionnaire emailed to you prior to your appointment. Our friendly staff will answer any preliminary questions you may have. A Physical Therapist will then sit down with you and discuss your needs. Our therapist will listen and together, with the prescription of your doctor, diagnose any problem or injury you have. Our Physical Therapist will help you set short-term goals so you are able to track your progress. We will educate you about personal fitness, diet, and manual physical therapies. We will answer any questions you have regarding your rehabilitation and training honestly and completely.
Depending on your goals, our Physical Therapist will measure your Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Percentage, and weight as you walk through several exercises specific to your therapy, rehabilitation, or training. Our therapists and trainers use low-impact and no-impact exercises. Most importantly your Physical Therapist or Personal Trainer will never leave you to help another client. They will explain and walk you through each task to help you understand. And we will never ask you to do something we wouldn’t do ourselves. If your goals are to improve athletic strength, regain balance and coordination, or to rehabilitate after an operation, our trained staff will get you there!

No prescription is needed to get Physical Therapy.
Anyone may walk in for Physical Therapy treatment, If you believe that you need physical therapy but your medical professional is apprehensive about writing referrals for PT, you may call or email us to communicate with your physician so we may collaborate your care and recovery.

What qualifies me for physical therapy? What will a typical insurance company cover?
Anyone may walk in for Physical Therapy Treatment,
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No prescription is needed.
Physical therapy helps people of all ages who have medical conditions, illnesses or injuries that limit their regular ability to move and function.
A customized physical therapy program can help individuals return to their prior level of functioning, and encourage activities and lifestyle changes that can help prevent further injury and improve overall health and well being. Primary care doctors often refer patients to physical therapy at the first sign of a problem, since it is considered a conservative approach to managing problems. Wondering what makes physical therapy so important?
1. Reduce or eliminate pain. Therapeutic exercises and manual therapy techniques such as joint and soft tissue mobilization or treatments such as ultrasound, taping or electrical stimulation can help relieve pain and restore muscle and joint function to reduce pain. Such therapies can also prevent pain from returning.
2. Avoid surgery. If physical therapy helps you eliminate pain or heal from an injury, surgery may not be needed. And even if surgery is required, you may benefit from pre-surgery physical therapy. If you are going into a surgery stronger and in better shape, you will recover faster afterward in many cases. Also, by avoiding surgery, health care costs are reduced.
3. Improve mobility. If you’re having trouble standing, walking or moving—no matter your age—physical therapy can help. Stretching and strengthening exercises help restore your ability to move. Physical therapists can properly fit individuals with a cane, crutches or any other assistive device, or assess for an orthotic prescription. By customizing an individual care plan, whatever activity that is important to an individual’s life can be practiced and adapted to ensure maximal performance and safety.
4. Recover from a stroke. It’s common to lose some degree of function and movement after stroke. Physical therapy helps strengthen weakened parts of the body and improve gait and balance. Physical therapists can also improve stroke patients’ ability to transfer and move around in bed so that they can be more independent around the home, and reduce their burden of care for toileting, bathing, dressing and other activities of daily living.
5. Recover from or prevent a sports injury. Physical therapists understand how different sports can increase your risk for specific types of injuries (such as stress fractures for distance runners). They can design appropriate recovery or prevention exercise programs for you to ensure a safe return to your sport.
6. Improve your balance and prevent falls. When you begin physical therapy, you will get screened for fall risk. If you’re at high risk for falls, therapists will provide exercises that safely and carefully challenge your balance as a way to mimic real-life situations. Therapists also help you with exercises to improve coordination and assistive devices to help with safer walking. When the balance problem is caused by a problem in one’s vestibular system, Physical therapists can perform specific maneuvers that can quickly restore proper vestibular functioning, and reduce and eliminate symptoms of dizziness or vertigo.
7. Manage diabetes and vascular conditions. As part of an overall diabetes management plan, exercise can help effectively control blood sugar. Additionally, people with diabetes may have problems with sensation in their feet and legs. Physical therapists can help provide and educate these patients on proper foot care to prevent further problems down the road.
8. Manage age-related issues. As individuals age, they may develop arthritis or osteoporosis or need a joint replacement. Physical therapists are experts in helping patients recover from joint replacement, and manage arthritic or osteoporotic conditions conservatively.
9. Manage heart and lung disease. While patients may complete cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack or procedure, you also may receive physical therapy if your daily functioning is affected. For pulmonary problems, physical therapy can improve quality of life through strengthening, conditioning and breathing exercises, and help patients clear fluid in the lungs.
10. Manage Women’s Health and other conditions. Women have specific health concerns, such as with pregnancy and post-partum care. Physical therapists can offer specialized management of issues related to women’s health. Additionally, PT can provide specialized treatment for Bowel incontinence, breast cancer, constipation, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, male pelvic health, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence.
Neck and Back Problems
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back pain
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bulging disks
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cervical radiculopathy
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degenerative disk disease (DDD or DJD)
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fracture
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herniated disks
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low back pain
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lumbar radiculopathy
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middle back pain
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muscle spasm
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neck pain
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numbness or tingling
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pinched nerve
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radiating pain
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radiculitis
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sciatica
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scoliosis
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spinal stenosis
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spondylosis
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spondylolysis
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spondylolisthesis
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stenosis
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thoracic pain
Shoulder Problems
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adhesive capsulitis
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bicipital tendonitis
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fracture
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frozen shoulder
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impingement syndrome
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Shoulder pain
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rotator cuff impingement
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rotator cuff tears and tendonitis
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shoulder instability
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shoulder dislocation
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shoulder subluxation
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pre- and post- surgery
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tendonitis or tendonosis
Bones and Joints
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ankle injury and pain
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arthritis
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degenerative joint disease (DJD)
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foot injury and pain
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fracture
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hip injury and pain
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hip replacement
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knee injury and pain
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knee replacement
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meniscal problems
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orthopedic injuries
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osteoporosis
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pre- and post-surgery
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stiff and weak joints and muscles
Muscles, Tendons and Ligaments
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achilles tendonitis, pain or strain
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carpal tunnel syndrome
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elbow pain
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fibromyalgia
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hamstring pulls and strains
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ITB strain and pain
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labral tear
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lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
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medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
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muscle pain, strain or sprain
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piriformis syndrome
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plantar fasciitis
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psoas strain
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repetitive stress injuries (RSI)
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sprain or strain
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tendonitis or tendinosis
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sciatica (piriformis syndrome)
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wrist injury and pain
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wrist and forearm pain/tendonitis from working long hours on the computer
General
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balance problems
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breast cancer patients
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dancers’ injuries and rehabilitation
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lupus erythematosus
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post-mastectomy and reconstruction
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multiple sclerosis
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stress-related pain
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heart disease, and other chronic illnesses
If you do not see your condition it does not mean that we don't treat it, please call or email our office at (415) 480-8011: optwinc@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Would my insurance benefits cover my personal training service with Orthopedic Physical Therapy?
Personal Training service is different from Physical Therapy and is not covered by Insurance. However, Orthopedic Physical Therapy employs a Licensed Physical Therapist to evaluate your physical condition during your consultation and assessment session. The Physical Therapist will do several tests to assess your current physical limitation and functional capacity. He may be able to bill Insurance for physical therapy sessions. Call us to find out more at (415) 480-8011.

What other services other Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Wellness offer that my insurance may not cover?
Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Wellness Inc. will service clients in need of physical therapy even if their insurance does not cover them. our doctors have designed a unique program only found at OPTWINC. The program is called the "Personal Training with Weight Management & Nutrition Counseling Program." This program is one of the most advanced personal training programs because it is developed by a physical therapist. We use physical therapy techniques and exercises that target potential injury areas prior to physical activity to reduce injury. We educate clients on diet, fitness, and healthy living by providing nutrition and supplement education, realistic goal setting, computerized calorie analysis and a creative and fun fitness routine. Click here to learn more.

What are the benefits of manual therapy sessions in OPTWINC?
The following is a short list of some of the benefits of physical therapy:
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Reduced pain and quicker recovery post-operation
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Alleviation of pain from joint or muscle injury
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Rehabilitation of joint or muscle injury
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Increased muscular strength and endurance
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Preventative exercises and health measures
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Weight loss/gain dependent upon therapy/fitness goals
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Increase athletic agility and strength
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Increased flexibility and mobility
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Increased balance and stability
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Community and work reintegration
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Better self care and home management
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Sensory integration
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Orthotics/ Prosthetic Fitting and Training

Can I choose my trainer?
We will always try to accommodate your request to work with a specific trainer, however, (due to scheduling conflicts) we cannot guarantee that you will be with the same trainer or your requested trainer every time.