Top Questions
What can I expect?
You will have a 2 hour initial evaluation and treatment by Dr. Theresa Pulickal, PT, DPT. Your follow ups are one on one care with Dr. Pulickal, PT, DPT. Your care will consist of both evidence-based practices and holistic approaches.
Though the primary modality is manual therapy and education for self care, we also may utilize biofeedback, internal electrical stimulation, dilation therapy, exercise prescription, patient education, home programs, and lifestyle modifications. We will start where you are comfortable, and you are in charge of each session.
What will the treatment session be like?
On your first visit, we will do a medical history review, including all areas of pelvic functioning (urinary, bowel, and bladder). A gentle physical therapy exam will then be performed, which may include internal muscle evaluation, external joint and muscle evaluation. Together we will discuss how your condition has disrupted your life, set wellness goals, and conceive a structured therapy plan to meet those goals. Exams are as pain free as possible: even patients with pelvic pain are surprised that the process does not hurt. Our goal is to minimize all discomfort as we work with you. treatments are relaxing and pain free. Please do not use past pelvic physical therapy or painful experiences to form a preconceived notion of what will happen here.
How many treatments will I need?
This is difficult to answer without having an evaluation. You should see a significant difference in your pain and function by the 4th visit. Most patients schedule once a week for the first month, then two additional visits two weeks apart. Most patients find the severity of the pain has greatly reduced and they have had a significant return to function by the 6th visit. However, many patients find that manual work once a month helps their entire body to work more smoothly and that they just feel better with a monthly “tune up”. So, most patients stay on for monthly or quarterly self care and relaxation. Some patients are better in 2 visits, some take 12. It just depends on the individual and the pattern of dysfunction, how many compensations have occurred over time, and how the patient’s whole picture of health and self care is. If the care is ongoing for over 12 visits, we will need a referral from your provider for continued Physical Therapy.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
No, but we prefer one. We can do an initial evaluation a series of visits and then seek the script from your physician if you would like to continue care. There can be many reasons for pelvic or abdominal pain or dysfunction, so a medical screening from your primary care may be necessary at some time.
What is your cancellation policy?
For evaluation visits, we do not make exceptions, since we block out a full 120 minutes.
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For Evaluations, we will require a missed visit fee for cancels less than 12 hours, which is half the cost of an evaluation visit, in order to reschedule.
For ongoing patients:
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After the first no show or less than 24 hour cancel, we give you a friendly reminder of our policy.
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Once the patient has had a second <24 hour cancel, you will be required to pay for the missed visit in order to continue care.
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For long term/wellness care patients, the grace no show/cancel resets every 6 months.
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I understand if you have family needs come up, so let us know as soon as you can.