Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you only provide aquatic therapy?
A: NO! We offer Physical (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) services at our land clinic as well as aquatic based PT and OT interventions, both at the Skyview Pool in Soldotna and the Nikiski Pool in Nikiski.
A: NO! We offer Physical (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) services at our land clinic as well as aquatic based PT and OT interventions, both at the Skyview Pool in Soldotna and the Nikiski Pool in Nikiski.
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. If you are paying for our services without using an insurance company for reimbursement, NO you do not need a physician's referral. However, it is always beneficial for communciation
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. If you are paying for our services without using an insurance company for reimbursement, NO you do not need a physician's referral. However, it is always beneficial for communciation
Q: What type of symptoms / impairments / diagnoses do you treat?
A: Our team of OT's and PT's 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, Ehrler's Danlos Syndrome. If you think you may need help figuring out how to move more or move better, we can likely help!
Please visit, APTA's website for a complete list. Symptoms/Conditions
A: Our team of OT's and PT's 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, Ehrler's Danlos Syndrome. If you think you may need help figuring out how to move more or move better, we can likely help!
Please visit, APTA's website for a complete list. Symptoms/Conditions
Q: Where are you located?
A: We get to help people at 3 different locations!
1. Our Soldotna Clinic shares a building with the All American Training Center. It is on the Spur Highway, across from the Mattress Ranch.
2.The North Peninsula Recreation Center, better known as 'The Nikiski Pool." Approximately 15 minutes north of Kenai, 30 minutes from Soldonta.
3. The Skyview Pool. 5 minutes south of Soldotna is Skyview Middle School. The pool is in the back of the school, with a separate entrance and parking lot.
Map and location specifics are on our 'Contact Us' page.
A: We get to help people at 3 different locations!
1. Our Soldotna Clinic shares a building with the All American Training Center. It is on the Spur Highway, across from the Mattress Ranch.
2.The North Peninsula Recreation Center, better known as 'The Nikiski Pool." Approximately 15 minutes north of Kenai, 30 minutes from Soldonta.
3. The Skyview Pool. 5 minutes south of Soldotna is Skyview Middle School. The pool is in the back of the school, with a separate entrance and parking lot.
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 both at the Nikiski and Skyview Pools, 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 or on our Facebook page.
A: We are fortunate to have access to all different depths of water both at the Nikiski and Skyview Pools, 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 or on our Facebook page.
Q: What do I need to bring with me to the first appointment at the pool?
A: Bring clothing to get in the pool in (swim suit / swim trunks, jog /sports bra and shorts or t-shirt and shorts),water bottle, 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),water bottle, 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. 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. Sessions, as a standard, are scheduled for 55 minutes. Your diagnosis, functional status and prognosis will determine how long you will require physical and/or occupational therapy, and it can vary depending on your goals and prognosis. Typically, therapy duration is between 4-12 weeks. Our goal is for all of our patients to maximize their independence and transition to programs they enjoy engaging in independently, whether that be at home, in a fitness center or at the community pools. We strive to give each patient individualized programs that they will be able to continue on their own after their direct therapy is through. To facilitate this, we offer a 1 month pass, during aquatic therapy hours, to the pool once graduated to an independent status and formally discharged as a patient from our services. This allows us to continue the health journey with you and a way to solidify new habits and routines to keep managing your health. 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. 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. Sessions, as a standard, are scheduled for 55 minutes. Your diagnosis, functional status and prognosis will determine how long you will require physical and/or occupational therapy, and it can vary depending on your goals and prognosis. Typically, therapy duration is between 4-12 weeks. Our goal is for all of our patients to maximize their independence and transition to programs they enjoy engaging in independently, whether that be at home, in a fitness center or at the community pools. We strive to give each patient individualized programs that they will be able to continue on their own after their direct therapy is through. To facilitate this, we offer a 1 month pass, during aquatic therapy hours, to the pool once graduated to an independent status and formally discharged as a patient from our services. This allows us to continue the health journey with you and a way to solidify new habits and routines to keep managing your health. 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: At the Nikiski Pool: There are 5 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: Ladder entry, 5: edge of the pool- dive or jump in!
At the Skyview Pool: There are 3 different ways to get in and out of the pool. 1: Lift Chair; 2: Stairs (6 total) with handrails on both sides; 4: Ladder entry; 4: edge of the pool- dive or jump in!
A: At the Nikiski Pool: There are 5 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: Ladder entry, 5: edge of the pool- dive or jump in!
At the Skyview Pool: There are 3 different ways to get in and out of the pool. 1: Lift Chair; 2: Stairs (6 total) with handrails on both sides; 4: Ladder entry; 4: edge of the pool- dive or jump in!