Frequently Asked Questions

Where will I receive treatment?
All physical therapy and/or personal training sessions are held in the privacy of your own home or in my home studio in Needham, Massachusetts. Yes, that is right I can bring the services to you. I own many different types of equipment, including therapeutic balls of multiple sizes and weights, a Bozu ball, hand weights, resistance bands, ankle weights, and more…everything needed to assist you in meeting your physical therapy or personal training goals. This equipment is also available in my studio along with a treadmill. If one of your goals is to create a work out studio in your home, I am happy to assist you in choosing the appropriate equipment.

What happens on my first visit?
Our first session is focused on getting to know you and why you have come for treatment or training. I want to learn about your goals, your medical history, the medications you are taking if any, and any concerns you have regarding physical therapy or personal training. We will discuss risk factors you may have for exercising safely and collaboration with your primary care physician, and/or cardiologist or neurologist.

If I have sent paperwork to you in advance I will collect that, otherwise you will complete some basic forms.

Next, I will want to evaluate your strength, balance, and range of motion. For persons with orthopedic issues, I will conduct special tests designed to further evaluate a specific joint and the mechanics of that joint. Once the physical exam is finished, I will present you with my findings and a plan of care that will address your specific impairments.

How many visits will my treatment require?
This depends on whether you require physical therapy or are interested in personal training. Most people coming for physical therapy require 8-10 visits. But the number of visits can differ significantly. It depends on why you require physical therapy, how long you have been experiencing your symptoms, and how consistent you are with your home exercise program. That being said you will likely begin to feel better after 3-4 visits as we begin to address your specific physical impairments.

The frequency and duration for personal training is up to you. Many of my clients prefer to train with me 2-3 times per week. Some clients train once a week or twice a month and incorporate what they have learned in their personal training session into their own workouts at their gym. It really depends on what you feel you need to meet your goals. Many people find it challenging to stay motivated to exercise consistently. They find they are much more successful at attaining their goals and staying fit with regular training sessions.

What will happen in my follow up sessions?
For clients receiving physical therapy, each session will begin with an update on how you are feeling compared to our last visit. Depending on the length of time between sessions, a re-evaluation of strength, balance or range of motion may be indicated. This updated information will guide our current session. Manual techniques I like to use are neuro-muscular re-education, contract-relax combined with passive stretching, massage, or joint mobilization. Lastly, we will review your home exercise program and progress your program as needed.

For clients receiving personal training, each session will begin with an update on how your muscles felt after our last workout. I will want to know how your strengthening and/or balance retraining is effecting your activities of daily living and other recreational activities. For example, I myself have been doing more core training in the last few months. I was pleasantly surprised how this positively effected my balance when cross country skiing this winter. Communicating with you is crucial in guiding me to continue to properly training you and attain that perfect balance of a challenging but safe training session.

What will I need to do between visits?
If we are working on your physical therapy goals, ideally you will participate in your home exercise program. If I am seeing you as a Personal Trainer, it is 100% up to you what you do between sessions. I am happy to provide recommendations. In either situation, you will achieve success more quickly and maintain your gains over time if you are an active participant in your program.

What should I wear?
First and foremost, I want you to be comfortable during our sessions. The right choice of clothing will also depend on why we are working together. Ladies, if you are experiencing back pain it is best to wear a athletic bra to allow for removal of your shirt. Another option is a loose fitting tank top to allow for good visualization of your spine. Similar suggestions apply if we are addressing issues with your shoulder or neck. Shorts are best when evaluating knee problems.

Will it hurt?
You will always be the guide of how aggressively we should work. Some deep tissue work can be uncomfortable. But, I promise to always have an ice pack at hand to conclude our work together. The interesting thing about pain is it gradually decreases as you heal and as we address the causes of your pain.

Do you accept my insurance?
Currently I am a fee-for-service provider. Many of my clients have moved through the continuum of care, including in-patient rehab, home care physical therapy, then an out- patient physical therapy clinic. In so doing, they have exhausted their insurance benefits, and yet they realize that they have not reached all of their goals. They have decided they want to become stronger, more fit, address lingering balance deficits or continue physical therapy after discharge from an out-patient physical therapy clinic. It is not unusual to continue working on your goals in order to realize the best quality of life!

Will you be communicating with my doctor?
A Physical Therapy Evaluation which includes findings, plan of care and goals from our first visit will be sent to your Primary Care Physician. If you have risk factors for coronary artery disease, your PCP or Cardiologist will guide us regarding parameters for heart rate and blood pressure during exercises, or perhaps recommend additional screenings prior to beginning an exercise program.