Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a Doctor's referral / prescription to be seen by a Physical or Occupational Therapist?
A: Depends on your insurance provider. If you are a Medicaid, Medicare or Veteran's Affairs recipient, YES. If you have private insurance coverage, possibly. In the state of Alaska, a patient may be seen by a licensed Physical or Occupational Therapist as long as the condition is within the therapist's training. However; while this is state law, insurance companies may dictate the requirement for a referral prior to any care. It is best to check with your insurance provider. Often, if your primary care physician has had contact with you recently, they may send a referral just by you calling their office and asking! When calling to book an evaluation with our office, we will be able to tell you if what you are going to be seen for is within our training.
A: Depends on your insurance provider. If you are a Medicaid, Medicare or Veteran's Affairs recipient, YES. If you have private insurance coverage, possibly. In the state of Alaska, a patient may be seen by a licensed Physical or Occupational Therapist as long as the condition is within the therapist's training. However; while this is state law, insurance companies may dictate the requirement for a referral prior to any care. It is best to check with your insurance provider. Often, if your primary care physician has had contact with you recently, they may send a referral just by you calling their office and asking! When calling to book an evaluation with our office, we will be able to tell you if what you are going to be seen for is within our training.
Q: What type of symptoms / impairments / diagnoses do you treat?
A: Our clinicians are specialized in treatment for neck and low back pain, pre and post surgical conditions including total joint replacements, rotator cuff repair, spinal surgery, muscle weakness due to chronic pain or acute injury, balance training, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, rehabilitation following a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Please visit, APTA's website for a complete list. Symptoms/Conditions
A: Our clinicians are specialized in treatment for neck and low back pain, pre and post surgical conditions including total joint replacements, rotator cuff repair, spinal surgery, muscle weakness due to chronic pain or acute injury, balance training, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, rehabilitation following a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Please visit, APTA's website for a complete list. Symptoms/Conditions
Q: Where are you located?
A: AAT practices out at the North Peninsula Recreation Center, better known as 'The Nikiski Pool." Our phone and fax machine is kept at an office in Soldotna. We complete administrative duties at the desk office in Soldotna, but only treat patient's out at the pool in Nikiski. Map and location specifics are on our 'Contact Us' page.
A: AAT practices out at the North Peninsula Recreation Center, better known as 'The Nikiski Pool." Our phone and fax machine is kept at an office in Soldotna. We complete administrative duties at the desk office in Soldotna, but only treat patient's out at the pool in Nikiski. Map and location specifics are on our 'Contact Us' page.
Q: What kind of exercises do you do in the water?
A: We are fortunate to have access to all different depths of water at the Nikiski Pool, ranging from just a few inches to over 13 feet deep! Aquatic Therapy is much more than exercising in the water. See our page titled Aquatic Therapy to learn more. That being said, a few exercises you might do include water walking (all directions), water jogging, deep water traction, squats, lunges or arm exercises with paddles. For images and ideas of water activities, follow us on our Pinterest AKAquaTherapy
A: We are fortunate to have access to all different depths of water at the Nikiski Pool, ranging from just a few inches to over 13 feet deep! Aquatic Therapy is much more than exercising in the water. See our page titled Aquatic Therapy to learn more. That being said, a few exercises you might do include water walking (all directions), water jogging, deep water traction, squats, lunges or arm exercises with paddles. For images and ideas of water activities, follow us on our Pinterest AKAquaTherapy
Q: What do I need to bring with me to the first appointment?
A: Bring clothing to get in the pool in (swim suit / swim trunks, jog /sports bra and shorts or t-shirt and shorts), your driver's license or state identification card, insurance card, physician referral (if applicable, see above), new patient intake paperwork, towel, dry clothing to change into once finished.
A: Bring clothing to get in the pool in (swim suit / swim trunks, jog /sports bra and shorts or t-shirt and shorts), your driver's license or state identification card, insurance card, physician referral (if applicable, see above), new patient intake paperwork, towel, dry clothing to change into once finished.
Q: What does a typical therapy session look like? How long will I be in therapy?
A: The first session, called an evaluation, will be completed on land, and if time permitting, finished in the water. The evaluation will comprise of a review of your medical history and an assessment of your functional mobility and activity level, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and independence. You will need to fill out the new patient intake paperwork prior to the evaluation. Sessions as a standard are scheduled for 60 minutes. Your diagnosis, functional status and prognosis will determine how long you will require aquatic therapy, typically, that is between 4-12 weeks. Our goal is for all of our patients to maximize their independence. We strive to give each patient individualized programs that they will be able to continue on their own after their direct therapy is through. We offer a 1 month pass, during aquatic therapy hours, to the pool after therapy completion as a way to demonstrate our commitment to patient's engaging in wellness and continuing their progress and independence even after therapy is over. We also offer any of our past patient's access to our equipment while we are at the pool.
A: The first session, called an evaluation, will be completed on land, and if time permitting, finished in the water. The evaluation will comprise of a review of your medical history and an assessment of your functional mobility and activity level, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and independence. You will need to fill out the new patient intake paperwork prior to the evaluation. Sessions as a standard are scheduled for 60 minutes. Your diagnosis, functional status and prognosis will determine how long you will require aquatic therapy, typically, that is between 4-12 weeks. Our goal is for all of our patients to maximize their independence. We strive to give each patient individualized programs that they will be able to continue on their own after their direct therapy is through. We offer a 1 month pass, during aquatic therapy hours, to the pool after therapy completion as a way to demonstrate our commitment to patient's engaging in wellness and continuing their progress and independence even after therapy is over. We also offer any of our past patient's access to our equipment while we are at the pool.
Q: Why Aquatic Therapy?
A: Aquatic Therapy provides numerous benefits for a variety of conditions. The buoyancy provided from the water allows a quicker return to normalize gait and strengthening patterns in a decreased weight bearing environment without further damaging healing structures, increased hydrostatic pressure to promote improved circulatory function, non weight bearing status to decrease compressive joint forces including intervertebral disc pressure, viscosity of the water provides resistance for strength training, warm water facilitates muscle relaxation and promotes circulation.
A: Aquatic Therapy provides numerous benefits for a variety of conditions. The buoyancy provided from the water allows a quicker return to normalize gait and strengthening patterns in a decreased weight bearing environment without further damaging healing structures, increased hydrostatic pressure to promote improved circulatory function, non weight bearing status to decrease compressive joint forces including intervertebral disc pressure, viscosity of the water provides resistance for strength training, warm water facilitates muscle relaxation and promotes circulation.
Q: I use a cane, walker, wheelchair, scooter for my functional mobility. How will I get in the pool?
A: There are 4 different ways to get in and out of the pool. 1: Lift Chair; 2: Stairs (6 total) with handrails on both sides; 3: Ramp with handrails on both sides; 4: edge of the pool- dive or jump in!
A: There are 4 different ways to get in and out of the pool. 1: Lift Chair; 2: Stairs (6 total) with handrails on both sides; 3: Ramp with handrails on both sides; 4: edge of the pool- dive or jump in!