Patient Education

Physical therapy is a health care profession that helps individuals whose movement and function are adversely affected by aging, injury, disease, or environmental factors. Together with the help of physical therapists, these patients work toward the goals of relieving pain, as well as developing, maintaining, and restoring maximum movement and functional ability.

The cornerstones of physical therapy treatment are therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and functional training. Physical therapy, which has many specialties such as sports medicine, industrial, orthopedic, and pediatrics, is available in many settings: outpatient clinics, offices, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, extended care facilities, private homes, schools, hospitals, industrial workplaces, and fitness centers.

Physical therapists are experts in restoring movement and function. After examining patients, therapists create comprehensive programs focused on total body care, injury prevention, as well as safe and timely returns to work, life, or sports. Depending on the needs of a particular patient, physical therapists may mobilize a joint, provide soft tissue work to a muscle, or perform a corrective exercise to restore normal movement patterns and function.

In addition to this hands-on care, physical therapists educate patients on preventing injury and performing home exercises.

In order to receive physical therapy, you need to obtain a prescription from a health care provider. This provider may also suggest a specific rehabilitation company or provide you with a list of physical therapists in your area. In some cases, your insurance company will guide you to the "in network" providers that are included in your insurance plan. But the final decision as to where you receive rehabilitation care is up to you.

Be sure to let your health care provider or insurance company know that Accelerated is your first choice when it comes to rehabilitation. We participate in many insurance plans; however, if Accelerated is not in your network, look into whether your plan has out-of-network benefits that will allow you to receive our first-rate services with some level of benefit. We appreciate your interest in Accelerated, and we'd love to work with you on your return to an active lifestyle.

Physical therapy is valuable in the treatment of many diagnoses, so it's always a good idea to ask your health care provider to prescribe physical therapy before other methods such as prescription medication. If you are unsure whether or not physical therapy can help you, contact one of Accelerated's locations for a consultation.

Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers' well-trained, professional staff leads with a forward-thinking Patients First philosophy that is applied to all aspects of our operations. This way of practice demonstrates the commitment from our dedicated caregivers to the people they work for—YOU.

What does this mean exactly?

• We ensure that YOU will have access to information you need to make the best health care choices for you and your family.
• We listen attentively to YOUR needs, while calming any worries or uncertainties.
• We understand that life is difficult after an injury, and will provide YOU exceptional support for the daily challenges involved during recovery.
• We promise open, honest communication with YOU and other members of your health care team.
• We inform and educate YOU about treatment options and the course of care.
• We make decisions based on the best interests of YOU and your family. And we involve YOU in these decisions.
• We are focused on improving YOUR health, YOUR well-being and, most of all, YOUR quality of life.

Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers has more than 160 convenient locations in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Arizona. All clinics have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule. Appointments at any location can be made through our Centralized Scheduling at 1-877-97-REHAB.

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.

Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers recognizes that open, honest communication among the members of your health care team (you, your therapist, your health care provider, etc.) is essential to making your rehabilitation experience a success. As a result, the physical therapist will send your health care provider a complete written report that includes the findings of the initial evaluation, the assessment of the injury, and a detailed description of the treatment plan.

The physical therapist will continue to update your health care provider with written progress reports each time you are re-evaluated and before each follow-up appointment (so it's important to let your therapist know if you have an upcoming appointment with your health care provider).

Additionally, the therapist will not hesitate to contact your provider by phone if he/she has a specific concern or question. At the end of your treatment, the physical therapist will send a final report to your health care provider with information regarding your status at the time of discharge from physical therapy.

At Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers, our well-trained, professional staff emphasizes the importance of continuing your treatment with a home exercise program. Your therapist will design an at-home program for you and provide detailed instructions. This will allow you to continue the progress you made while in therapy and avoid further injury.

We are partners in your recovery; so even after discharge, if you have questions, call us and we will be more than happy to help you with any questions or needs you may have.