FAQ

Physical therapy is a medical, hands-on approach to relieving pain and restoring function. Physical therapists are medical experts in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and work closely with physicians. At Peak Performance Physical Therapy, our physical therapists evaluate your movement patterns, identify the cause of your pain, and work to eliminate it. While every patient’s condition and pain is unique, our physical therapists will use a variety of hands-on techniques, stretches, exercises to promote improved muscle performance, and equipment to relieve pain quickly and restore your function to optimum levels. Our overall goal is have you heal fully, to restore your mobility and function without restriction or discomfort and to prevent your injury or condition from recurring in the future.

You are perfectly designed for movement. In a healthy, uninjured state, you can move all your joints freely and use your muscles without restriction. However, when injury, inflammation, or medical conditions arise, the body experiences joint limitations, muscle weakness, and cardiopulmonary challenges due to inactivity. As a result, movement becomes more difficult, impacting your ability to perform daily activities, work-related tasks, and leisure pursuits. Physical therapists are experts in identifying the causes of functional decline and developing targeted intervention programs tailored to your specific needs, helping you restore your physical condition to an optimal level.

If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort during movement and activities, or if you have concerns about your body's ability to function and want to be proactive, physical therapy is the optimal solution for you. A physical therapist is the most qualified medical professional to address musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, or cardiopulmonary weaknesses resulting from injury or inactivity. They are uniquely trained to assess and treat issues in all joints and muscles of the body that may be causing you pain or making it difficult to accomplish essential tasks that matter to you.

In general, the longer you wait to seek treatment, the longer it will take for you to heal the injury and regain full function. Restoring your tissues to their pre-injury state becomes increasingly difficult the longer your tissues remain in an abnormal or injured condition. Additionally, the longer an injury persists, the greater your loss of strength and you will have a higher the likelihood of developing detrimental movement compensations that can lead to you having issues in other areas. Therefore, it’s crucial for you to seek treatment as soon as possible after an injury to recover in the fewest sessions possible.

Occasionally, complete rest from a painful activity is necessary for the fastest and fullest recovery. However, in many cases, it is possible to continue your sport or exercise to some degree while we treat your injury. The decision depends on several factors and is ultimately yours to make. We take pride in helping our patients return to the activities they love as quickly as possible. While full rest is sometimes required, we generally have patients engaging in these activities throughout their care. Our goal is to restore you to the activities you enjoy, free from pain or limitation.

Physical therapy is designed to relieve pain, not cause it. However, as you regain mobility, pain levels may fluctuate. Temporary soreness is common when stretching tight tissues around restricted joints or using weakened muscles during recovery—this is a normal response to treatment. Open communication with your therapist can help minimize discomfort. Our goal is to provide quick pain relief and help you return to normal activities. While some soreness from new movements is expected, it is not a cause for concern. If an exercise causes excessive pain, let us know. Physical therapy should not be severely painful, nor should it interfere with daily life. If you ever experience significant discomfort during or after an appointment, we will adjust your program accordingly.

Physical therapists use a variety of treatment options to maximize patient independence, improve mobility, and reduce pain. Common methods include exercises for range of motion, flexibility, and strength, as well as manual therapy techniques such as myofascial release, ASTYM, joint mobilization, and muscle energy techniques. Treatment may also involve functional training, gait training, balance and proprioceptive exercises, and modalities to alleviate pain. As movement specialists and experts in musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders, physical therapists help patients achieve multiple goals, including avoiding surgery, reducing pain, enhancing mobility, and managing chronic conditions.

The state of Louisiana allows direct access to a physical therapist without a physician referral.  Some insurance plans may require us to submit your plan of care to your doctor for his or her signature.  This means you can contact us directly to set up your initial visit at one of our 10 locations that is most convenient for you. We will check with your insurance and communicate with your doctor's office if we need to. If you have any more questions, our front office staff is ready to assist you. 

We successfully treat a wide range of pain and injuries affecting muscles, joints, nerves, and organs throughout the body. Our physical therapy success stories include patients recovering from headaches, neck pain, bunions, ankle sprains, knee, hip, and lower back pain, rotator cuff tears, and tennis elbow. We also specialize in wrist and hand pain, Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders, and nerve-related conditions. If your pain or limitation stems from a muscle, joint, or nerve tissue and does not require surgery, chances are we can help. In fact, many of our patients were initially told they needed surgery but found relief through our treatments.

All of our physical therapists complete four years of undergraduate study to earn a bachelor's degree, followed by three years of graduate school in an accredited physical therapy program. After graduation, every physical therapist must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) to practice.

In addition, our staff is trained in advanced clinical techniques including but not limited to manual therapy and dry needling applications. We are committed to providing the highest quality care, using research and evidence-based practices to guide every treatment. Want to learn more about our staff before your visit? Click here to view our staff bio page!

 Our physical therapist assistants are graduates of an accredited physical therapist assistant program. After graduation, each physical therapist assistant must pass the National Physical Therapist Assistant Exam (NPTAE) in order to practice as a physical therapist assistant in a clinical setting. Click here to view our staff bio page!

In 2016, the Louisiana Legislature passed a law allowing patients to schedule directly with a physical therapist without having a prescription. This means scheduling the same way an appointment is made with a doctor, dentist, or other healthcare provider. Simply call the most convenient clinic location by clicking here or request an appointment though our website.

However, the laws allowing direct access to physical therapy services do not mandate that insurance providers pay for physical therapy treatment services. All insurance companies have differing criteria with regard to what they reimburse and therefore, payment for physical therapy services is something that must be addressed with each particular insurance provider prior to initiating your physical therapy treatment.

The staff at Peak Performance Physical Therapy will be more than happy to assist with answering all questions you may have regarding coverage guidelines and payment for physical therapy services. We will contact your insurance provider to obtain information on their specific requirements, so that we are completely transparent with you regarding the cost you may incur by initiating PT treatment. If you prefer to seek physical therapy intervention without going through your insurance, a cash-based arrangements can be made at the time of service.

Sometimes, yes. But pain is your body’s way of signaling that something needs attention. If you've been injured or have tissue dysfunction, your body may adapt over time, allowing you to temporarily "ignore" the pain. However, untreated pain will inevitably return—often worse than before. The best choice for you is to seek treatment early, as addressing your issue promptly can mean the difference between a minor injury and a chronic condition.

As a patient, you have the right to receive physical therapy services at the location of your choice. At Peak Performance Physical Therapy, we provide the highest quality care to help you achieve the results you need. We take pride in fostering a positive, encouraging environment with well-trained, friendly staff. Our team is confident in our ability to help you reach your goals and live a pain-free life. Please contact us to schedule an appointment at the Peak Performance Physical Therapy clinic of your choice by clicking here.

Prior to your first appointment, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes early to complete any necessary paperwork, including intake forms that inform us of the concerns for which you are seeking physical therapy. For your convenience, you can also download these forms and fill them out in the comfort of your own home by clicking here.

Your journey to recovery begins the moment you walk through our doors. In your first session, we will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your condition, followed by appropriate treatment tailored to your unique situation. This initial assessment allows us to pinpoint the root cause of your concerns and design a personalized treatment plan. Throughout your first session and every subsequent treatment, we continuously  reassess your progress to ensure we are effectively addressing your needs. By regularly evaluating your response to treatment, we can make timely adjustments to optimize your outcomes and help you feel stronger, faster, and better.

Typically, each follow-up session lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, allowing ample time for both continuous assessment of your changing situation and treatment to reflect your priorities. Treating multiple joints, muscles, or conditions may require additional time. However, we understand that life can be unpredictable. If you ever need to adjust your session length due to unforeseen circumstances, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Your comfort and well-being are our top priorities, and we are here to accommodate your needs to ensure you receive the best care possible with each visit.

For the best physical therapy experience, we recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, especially around the area being treated. Our clinic offers changing facilities, so you can arrive in regular attire and change if needed.

Before your evaluation, you will need to complete some registration paperwork. You can also download these forms in advance and fill them out at home for added convenience by clicking here.

When you contact us by phone or use our website to request an appointment, please have your prescription and insurance card available when you call. This will allow us to verify your insurance benefits and provide you with an estimate of the cost of your physical therapy treatment. 

The number of sessions you require varies for each patient and depends on several factors, including age, injury severity, other health conditions, duration of pain, and lifestyle demands. In some cases, additional visits may be necessary to restore full function. Pain and dysfunction that have persisted for a long time often take longer to resolve than more recent or acute issue. For example, conditions such as herniated spinal discs and frozen shoulder generally require more time to heal than an ankle sprain. While stubborn conditions like tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis can sometimes improve within a few treatments, they may also require multiple sessions, especially if they have been present for an extended period before seeking care.

The frequency and duration of your sessions will be determined through collaboration with your physical therapist. Based on your diagnosis and unique presentation, they will recommend the optimal amount of treatment to achieve the best results, but the final decision is yours.

A home exercise program (HEP) is an essential part of any treatment plan and one of the most important aspects of your physical therapy. It allows you to maximize your time in the clinic by focusing on more challenging exercises that require supervision, ensuring proper technique without substitution or compensation. It also enables you to perform exercises that require specialized equipment available only in the clinic. As with any skill or ability that you are trying to improve, perfect practice makes perfect and daily practice yields the best results! We value your time, so our home programs will focus only on a few exercises that target the areas of your greatest need.

Please make every effort to attend your scheduled appointments. At Peak Performance Physical Therapy, we limit the number of patients scheduled at any given time to ensure every patient receives focused attention from their physical therapist.

Yes, at Peak Performance Physical Therapy, you will see the same therapist whenever possible. However, if you would feel more comfortable seeing a different therapist than the one initially assigned to you, we will make every effort to accommodate your request.

Yes, we schedule our patients to ensure you receive personal care and attention from your physical therapist. Missing an appointment not only takes away this opportunity from you, but may also prevent another patient in need of treatment from filling the available time slot you have vacated. If you know you will be unable to attend, please call your clinic with as much prior notice as possible to cancel your appointment. We reserve the right to assess a $60 fee for missed appointments without prior notification.

Upon arrival, you will check in with our front office staff, schedule future appointments if needed, and discuss any changes to your health insurance benefits if applicable. If you need to change into more comfortable clothing, you may do so after completing the check-in process.

It is common to experience some muscle soreness during the first few weeks of physical therapy. This is not a cause for concern but rather a sign that your physical therapist has effectively targeted an area in need of stretching and strengthening.

During your initial evaluation, your physical therapist may ask a series of questions to help them identify the cause of your discomfort or dysfunction. These may include inquiries about what could have caused your symptoms to occur, such as your sleep habits, your previous activity level, your work environment and your nutritional status. Your physical therapist may also ask you to perform certain movements to help them identify any abnormalities, compensations and/or substitutions during these movements. Your physical therapist will also review your medical history and typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience discomfort to create a series of interventions tailored specifically to your needs.

At Peak Performance Physical Therapy, our goal is for every patient to leave the clinic feeling better than when they arrived. However, with certain diagnoses, this may not always be possible. For example, a individual who underwent surgery for a joint replacement will not hurt if they keep their joint still, but it is not the best approach for regaining their ROM, strength, function, and mobility. In this example, this person should move their new joint as it is essential for healing, though it will cause more discomfort than keeping the joint still.

Yes, missing physical therapy appointments or neglecting your home exercises can slow down your recovery and potentially set back your progress. Physical therapy is designed to work in stages corresponding to your healing. We will gradually increase the rigor of your program to improve mobility, strength, and function. Skipping sessions disrupts this process, making it harder to maintain the gains you've achieved.

Choosing Peak Performance Physical Therapy means receiving expert, personalized care designed to help you recover efficiently and effectively. Here’s what sets us apart:

Peak Performance Physical Therapy stands out because we prioritize your individual needs, recovery goals, and overall experience. Here’s how we’re different from other clinics:

Yes, once you have completed all your therapy sessions, your therapist will review and update your home program to ensure that all exercises align with your current needs and stage of healing. Your therapist will verify that you are performing each exercise correctly, without compensation or substitution. Additionally, your therapist will recommend any equipment that may be beneficial in supporting your continued recovery. Three of our Peak Performance Physical Therapy clinics (Perkins, Monterrey and Denham Springs) are located adjacent to Spectrum Fitness and Medical Wellness Centers. Our Maurepas clinic is located adjacent to Peak Fitness and Wellness Center. Each of these locations provides you easy access to continue working toward your recovery with access to your physical therapist should you have a question or concern.

Our scheduling is easy and we offer a convenient location and appointment times for you. We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule. Contact us by calling one of our ten Peak Performance Physical Therapy clinic locations that is most convenient to you. You can request an appointment on our website as well.

Peak Performance Physical Therapy is a provider with all major insurance companies. As a courtesy, we will verify physical therapy benefits prior to your initial evaluation and obtain authorization if needed. We file insurance claims for each date of service and claims are reviewed and reimbursed according to the terms of your insurance policy. You will be informed of your financial responsibility at your first appointment. All co-pays or co-insurance should be paid when you check in for each appointment. If you do not have medical insurance or do not wish to use your insurance for physical therapy treatment, we can discuss the most optimal way to achieve your physical therapy goals at a reasonable cost.

The answer to this question depends on your insurance plan.  At Peak Performance Physical Therapy, you will be informed of your financial responsibility at your first appointment.  Our promise to you is we will provide care that will achieve a higher value than your cost.  In general, physical therapy is an affordable treatment option.  To put this into perspective, you can get 12-25 sessions of physical therapy for the cost of 1 MRI! If you have further questions or concerns, we can discuss the most optimal way to achieve your goals at a reasonable cost.

We accept CareCredit Credit Card, check, debit card, email transfer and credit card. We are happy to discuss payment plan options as well. It is our policy that payment is made at the time of service.

For patients who do not have or do not wish to use their insurance for physical therapy treatment, we can discuss the most optimal way to achieve your goals at a reasonable cost.