Frequently asked questions.

New patient evaluations typically last about 60 minutes. Regular treatment sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes per visit.

It varies. Some people need a single visit; others need several months of care. It depends on your diagnosis, how severe your symptoms are, and your medical history. You’ll be re-evaluated monthly, and if you’re seeing a doctor, we’ll send them a progress report with our recommendations.

According to an ABC News/Stanford study, more than half of all Americans are dealing with pain, whether it’s a recent episode or something chronic. Many people don’t realize physical therapists are trained to treat not only the pain but its source.

Physical therapists are experts in movement and neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Pain often comes with a movement problem, and correcting that problem is how a physical therapist helps relieve the pain.

Physical therapists are licensed experts in movement and function. Many people know them for helping patients recover from orthopedic problems like low back pain or knee surgery, or for helping stroke survivors regain use of their limbs and walk again.

A large part of physical therapy is prevention: preventing injury, loss of movement, and even surgery. Physical therapists consult in workplaces to reduce strain injuries, screen athletes for potential problems, and help people with joint or back problems build workouts that are safe and effective.

The cornerstones of treatment are therapeutic exercise and functional training, along with hands-on care and education so you can take care of yourself between visits. Physical therapy can only be provided by physical therapists, or by physical therapist assistants working under a physical therapist’s direction and supervision.

Most people are referred because of a movement problem that comes with pain, like trouble bending at the low back or sleeping on a shoulder. Those problems usually show up in daily life: getting out of a chair, playing sports, or walking. Physical therapists treat the movement problem and the pain that comes with it, and restore your body’s ability to move normally.

In most cases, health insurance covers physical therapy, though coverage varies by plan. We verify your benefits before your first visit so you know what to expect. You can see the plans we accept on our New Patients page, and our front desk is happy to help you sort out your coverage.

You’ll be evaluated by a licensed physical therapist, who will also guide your treatment on later visits. Unlike clinics where you see someone different each time, we believe continuity of care matters: the therapist who knows your problem best is the one who works closely with you to speed your recovery.

For most people, pain relief is the reason they come to physical therapy, and we often get there with hands-on techniques, electrical stimulation, or cold therapy. Movement itself is also well known to relieve pain, and your therapist will guide exercises that help restore range of motion, strength, and endurance.

Some techniques can be uncomfortable. Tell your therapist how intense your pain is, how often it happens, and how long it lasts, so they can adjust your plan for the best possible outcome.

There are dozens of treatment options, and your plan is built around your needs. Common ones include active and active-assisted range of motion, passive range of motion, stationary bike work, gait and walking training, isometric and progressive resistive strengthening exercises, stretching and flexibility work, soft tissue and joint mobilization, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), posture training, cold therapy, microcurrent and cranial electrical stimulation, manual traction, and neuromuscular re-education.

We also offer specialized services like dry needling, MedX spine strength testing, and SmartFit dual-task training.

Massage is often part of your treatment. Our team uses a variety of techniques, including deep tissue work when it helps your recovery. Massage is typically used for three reasons: to help move fluid out of a swollen area, to relax a tight muscle, or to relieve pain. Learn more on our Massage Therapy page.

It’s not uncommon for pain to flare up early on. If it does, give us a call at (318) 222-7442. We may suggest you come back in, check in with your doctor, or simply adjust your daily activities or exercise routine.

In most cases, yes: you have the right to choose your physical therapy clinic. Our practice is a provider for many different insurance plans.

Yes. Louisiana allows Direct Access to physical therapy, which means you can start care with a physical therapist without seeing a physician first. It’s a safe, effective way to get help quickly, and it could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Insurance policies vary, so it’s worth checking with your plan. If you call our office, we can often tell you which companies we’ve worked with under Direct Access.

Physical therapists can’t make a medical diagnosis; that comes from your physician. Your physical therapist establishes a treatment diagnosis to guide your physical therapy plan, and works as an important member of your medical team.

It works much like billing at your doctor’s office. We bill your insurance company or Workers’ Compensation using standard procedure (CPT) codes. The payer processes the claim and pays according to an agreed fee schedule, then sends you and the clinic an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) showing any balance you owe.

Payment is usually completed within 60 days, but it can occasionally take up to six months after your treatment date.

Some patients continue with home exercises or a wellness program through our sister brand, Spark Health. Others keep up a gym routine, and some simply return to their normal daily activities. Either way, we build a custom program so you can keep your progress long after physical therapy ends.

Yes. Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are licensed by the state they practice in.