Spine & Sport Physical Therapy - San Diego (University Ave)

Thanks to direct access, we can see any patient without a referral from a doctor for an initial evaluation. If our therapists believe that physical therapy is a good option for your needs, we can work with you and your physician to obtain a prescription for continued care. If your diagnosis requires additional expertise, we can also refer you to a specialist to handle your care.

For your first visit, be sure to bring the following items:

• Prescription for physical therapy from your referring physician (if applicable)
• Government issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license)
• Insurance card(s)
• Patient forms, which can be downloaded from this site in PDF format. Print and fill out the forms completely and bring them during your first visit.
• Patients who are minors (under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for their first visit.

Please wear or bring comfortable athletic/workout clothing to change into. This includes shorts or sweatpants, a t-shirt and sneakers. Your attire should also allow easy access to your injured area for treatment by your physical therapist.

During your first visit, your therapist will perform a thorough examination, in which he or she will review your physician’s recommendations, examine the problem area, ask questions about your injury or pain, develop an effective treatment plan for rehabilitation, discuss their findings with you and answer any questions you may have. Your treatment plan may include hands-on, manual therapy, a customized exercise program, stretching and physical agents such as heat, ice, ultrasound and electrical stimulation. Your physical therapist may also recommend a home program to further assist in your treatment.

Your first appointment will typically last from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on your injury. Following appointments usually last between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the treatment. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your appointment for check-in and paperwork. You can also download our patient forms, which can be filled out beforehand and brought with to your appointment.

The frequency of your treatment will depend on your physician’s prescription and the plan of care developed by your physical therapist. Most patients require treatment two to three times per week. The duration of treatment will depend on your injury and personal progress. Your physical therapist will discuss this with you following your initial exam and subsequently as you progress.

If you are unable to attend an appointment, we require at least 24 hours' notice. However, we do understand than an occasional emergency or illness may arise, in which case you may have to cancel your appointment closer to your scheduled time.

We accept most major insurances including Medicare, Tricare and workers’ compensation plans. Before your initial visit, we will verify in and out of network benefits with your insurance company. The cost of therapy is determined by the benefits of your insurance plan, including the deductible and co-pay, or patient percentage. We are happy to check with your insurance company to determine the terms of your coverage. Payment for patient responsibility is due at the time of service.

We are proud to offer complimentary injury screenings with one of our certified licensed specialists who will discuss your area of discomfort and offer suggestions for next steps in care, if appropriate. For your convenience, consultations will last no longer than 15 minutes and are available over the phone or in person. To request a complimentary screening, after entering your ZIP code in the location look up, simply select 'Free Consultation' and proceed to fill out your information.