Frequently Asked Questions

Can Physical Therapy help me?
What types of problems are treated in Physical Therapy?
What body parts do we treat?
What is different about Lucas Physical Therapy?
What type of therapy will I get at Lucas Physical Therapy and Fitness?
What is manual therapy?
Who is licensed to perform Manual Physical Therapy?
Is Manual Therapy more effective than other Physical Therapy treatments?
Who can perform Physical Therapy?
Do I need a prescription or referral from my doctor?
Do I need a prescription to do Massage Therapy or Personal Training?
How long does a Physical Therapy session take?
Do you take insurance?

Can Physical Therapy help me?
Anyone suffering from pain, loss of movement or difficulty doing their normal activities can benefit from seeing a physical therapist. Getting an evaluation with one of the Physical Therapists at Lucas PT is the best way to determine how Physical Therapy can help you.

What types of problems are treated in Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapists specialize in non-surgical treatment of any kind of muscle, joint or nerve problem. At Lucas PT we rehabilitate all kinds of problems from sports injuries, to back and neck pain, to stroke and balance problems. Physical Therapists are trained to identify when Physical Therapy treatment is not indicated for your specific problem. In such cases you will be referred to your Medical Doctor.

What body parts do we treat?
As long as your problem is related to muscles, joints or nerves we treat it. We have the training and expertise to evaluate and treat any area of the body, from the spine to the extremities.

What is different about Lucas Physical Therapy?
1) We select treatment according to each client’s specific signs and symptoms, instead of implementing a standard course of treatment based upon the diagnosis.

2) Roland has 2 & 1/2 specialized additional training giving him much better proficiency, in a wider range of treatment options, than most PTs.

3) We constantly perform re-testing throughout the therapy to ensure the most effective combination of treatment is being used.

What type of therapy will I get at Lucas Physical Therapy and Fitness?
The treatment you receive will vary depending on your specific problem and the findings of our evaluation.  The primary types of treatment we use are hands-on Manual Therapy Techniques and Exercises to improve strength and flexibility.  However, we are skilled in many other kinds of treatment options.  Including, Massage and Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular Reeducation and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Sport Specific Training, Kinesiotaping and other kinds of Taping or Strapping, Traction, Ultrasound and Electrical Stimulation.

What is manual therapy?
It can be defined as the skilled and specialized use of “hands on” techniques to increase joint and soft tissue mobility, decrease pain, and improve overall function. Manual Therapy encompasses joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, manual traction, and various other hands on techniques.

Who is licensed to perform Manual Physical Therapy?
All physical therapists are licensed to perform manual therapy, however the intensity and depth of training varies from school to school. All therapists at Lucas Physical Therapy & Fitness have undergone post graduate training in the advanced theories and applications of manual therapy techniques. In fact, Roland is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.  This is the highest form or recognition a Manual Physical Therapist can achieve in the United States.

Is Manual Therapy more effective than other Physical Therapy treatments?
It depends. The Australian Manual Therapy approach developed from the clinical success seen from the use of these techniques compared to other treatment options. Now, many randomized controlled trials support the effectiveness of manual therapy in treating neuromusculoskeletal disorders. However, this does not mean that it is the best option for all injuries. That is why our therapists are trained to encompass many different strategies to ensure our patients receive the most appropriate and beneficial treatment possible.

Who can perform Physical Therapy?
The only people with the training, experience and expertise to perform Physical Therapy are California Licensed Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants.  Unlicensed personnel (PT aides) and other professionals are not capable or qualified to provide skilled, effective Physical Therapy.

Do I need a prescription or referral from my doctor?
It depends.  In California Physical Therapists are able to evaluate and treat problems that have been diagnosed by a doctor with in the last three years.  In such cases, a prescription is not needed.  However, often times your insurance will not cover Physical Therapy without a referral, please check with your insurance.  If your problem is new and has not been evaluated by a doctor you will need a referral for Physical Therapy Treatment.

Do I need a prescription to do Massage Therapy or Personal Training?
No prescription is needed for Massage Therapy or Personal Training services.

How long does a Physical Therapy session take?
The time of each session depends on the stage of your problem and what treatment you need.  Most patients receive 1 hour of one-on-one Physical Therapy.  Your therapist can give you a better idea of how long it will take once they have evaluated your problem.

Do you take insurance?
Yes, we are participating providers in most insurance plans, including Medicare. For a complete list of the insurances we take please check HERE.
Massage Therapy and Personal Training services are not covered by most insurances.