What is physical therapy? Physical therapy is a combination of exercise, modalities, and hands-on treatment used to restore function and decrease pain/ discomfort following an illness or injury.  

How do I know if physical therapy will work for me? If you have this question, the easiest answer is to call us and schedule a free consultation. 605-721-5950. We will use our expertise to tell you honestly if physical therapy is an option, and if you and the therapist agree that PT is a good route to try, we will help you with the next steps.

What are the next steps? Well, it depends. South Dakota is a state that offers direct access. This means that some insurance companies do not require you to see a physician prior to starting therapy. Before coming in for your free consultation call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask if a physician’s referral is necessary for PT coverage. For the case that a referral is not needed, the next step is simply to set you up for an appointment for a formal evaluation and begin treatment as soon as possible.

If a doctor’s referral IS required, there are several options depending on your relationship with your primary care physician and his/her preference. Some doctors are willing to order therapy without seeing you in their clinic first, especially if they have seen you recently for a similar complaint or some other reason. Other physicians prefer that they see you for an office visit so they can formally diagnose your complaints prior to starting therapy. Either way we will send a completed screening form outlining your symptoms, our findings, and a request for approval for evaluation.

• After our consultation, you can call you doctor and ask him/her to fax a prescription for “PT evaluation and treatment” to The Physical Therapy Center at 605-721-5940. Some doctors will not have a problem doing this. Some doctors may ask you to come in for an office visit first.
• We may recommend that you see your physician prior to starting treatment for more in-depth diagnostic tests (x-ray, MRI, etc.) If this is the case, with your approval we will help set you up for this appointment.
• If an office visit is required, be sure and request to return to The Physical Therapy Center for evaluation and treatment. Where you go to therapy is ALWAYS your choice!