Frequently Asked Questions
How can I book an appointment?
You can make an appointment through this link: https://www.ptofthecity.com/reservations/ or you can call us at (718)648-0888
What should I prepare for my first visit?
On your first visit, you will need:
Show up 15 minutes early before your appointment to fill out the intake.
Bring your photo ID card and insurance card(s).
You should provide your referral for Physical therapy if you have one. If you don’t have a referral, you should mention this at your first visit or in the appointment form.
Medication list, if applicable
What will happen during my first visit?
During your first visit, you can expect the following:
Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed.
You will provide us with your referral for physical therapy if you have one. If you don’t have a referral, let us know when you schedule your first visit with us (note: a referral is not always needed).
- We will copy your insurance card.
- You will be seen for the initial evaluation by the physical therapist.
- The therapist will discuss the following:
- Your medical history.
- Your current problems/complaints.
- Pain intensity is what aggravates and eases the problem.
- How is this impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations?
- Your goals with physical therapy.
- Medications, tests, and procedures are related to your health.
The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation, which may include some of the following:
Palpation- touching around the area of the pain/problem. This is done to check for the presence of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, inflammation, etc.
Range of Motion (ROM)– The therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of movement and any restrictions.
Muscle Testing– The therapist may check for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often muscle strength is graded. This is also part of a neurological screening.
Neurological Screening– The therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well.
Special Tests– The therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.
Posture Assessment– the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.
The therapist will then formulate a list of problems you are having and how to treat them. A plan is subsequently developed with the patient’s input. This includes how many times you should see the therapist per week, how many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short-term/long-term goals, and what is expected after discharge from therapy. This plan was created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor.
What is your location?
We exist in multiple locations all over NYC; you can choose the branch nearest to you and enjoy ultimate Physical Therapy care. Our locations are…
- Sheepshead Bay, 1514 Voorhies Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235
- Bensonhurst 8746 20th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11214
- Bay Ridge 8403 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209
- Flatbush 822 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
- Bed Stuy 1230 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11216
- Jamaica 182-30 Hillside Avenue, Hollis, NY 11432
- Bushwick 65 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206
- Inwood 4875 Broadway, New York, NY 10034
- Corona 104-17 Northern BLVD Flushing, NY 11368
- Sugar Hill 752A St. Nicholas Ave, New York, 10031
- Pitkin 1685 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212
What types of services do you provide?
We’re a Physical Therapy clinic that is located in multiple locations in New York City. We provide the ultimate physical therapy care, and we accept most insurance companies. With our experienced physical therapists, you can reach your health goals.
In our physical therapy clinic, we offer comprehensive evaluations, hands-on/manual therapy, innovative treatment techniques, personalized exercise programs, and patient education.
We use sophisticated diagnostic methods, such as movement investigation and gait analysis, to help determine which services you will benefit from the most.
At PT of The City, our thorough evaluations lead to successful treatment plans for your pain relief, healing, and future injury prevention needs. We believe in a concierge approach to treatment.
We provide the following services:
- Gait Training
- Sports Rehabilitation
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation
- Stroke and Neurological Rehabilitation
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
- Lymphedema Rehabilitation
- Apos Health
- Telehealth
- In-home Therapy
- Zumba classes
For more information about each service click here https://www.ptofthecity.com/our-services
Are services available for those who don't speak English?
Our doctors and staff can speak many languages: English, French, Russian, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Spanish, Italian, and Turkish.
“Female doctors and therapists are available.”
Physical Therapy FAQs
What do physical therapists exactly do?
Physical Therapists evaluate and record a patient’s progress. Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. They are often an important part of preventive care, rehabilitation, and treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries. Physical Therapists are experts in movement and function, so they do not confine their talents to only treating people who are ill. A large part of a Physical Therapist’s program is directed at preventing injury, loss of movement, and even surgery. Physical Therapists work as consultants in industrial settings to improve the design of the workplace and reduce the risk of workers overusing certain muscles or developing lower back pain. They also provide services to athletes at all levels to screen for potential problems and institute preventive exercise programs.
The cornerstones of Physical Therapy treatment are therapeutic exercise and functional training. In addition to “hands-on” care, Physical Therapists also educate patients to take care of themselves and to perform certain exercises on their own. Depending on the particular needs of a patient, Physical Therapists may also “mobilize” a joint (that is, perform certain types of movements at the end of your range of motion) or massage a muscle to promote proper movement and function. Physical Therapists also use methods such as ultrasound (which uses high-frequency waves to produce heat), hot packs, and ice.
Most forms of Physical Therapy treatment are covered by insurance, but the coverage will vary with each plan. Most states do not legally require patients to see their physicians before seeing a Physical Therapist (Direct Access). Most of the time all you have to do is ask your doctor if Physical Therapy is right for you.
Why is physical therapy a good choice?
Most of us suffer from pain, whether it is acute or chronic pain. However, many of us don’t even know that Physical Therapists are well equipped to not only manage pain but also its source. Our Physical Therapists are experts at treating movement and neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Pain often accompanies a movement disorder, and Physical Therapists can help correct the disorder and relieve the pain.
Is physical therapy painful?
At PT of The City, one of the primary objectives is pain relief. This is frequently accomplished with hands-on techniques and modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and/or heat or cold therapy. Movement often provides pain relief as well. Your Physical Therapist will provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but also to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance. In some cases, Physical Therapy techniques can be painful. For example, recovering knee range of motion after total knee replacement or shoulder range of motion after shoulder surgery may be painful. Your Physical Therapist will utilize a variety of techniques to help maximize your treatment goals. You must communicate the intensity, frequency, and duration of pain to your Therapist. Without this information, it is difficult for the Physical Therapist to adjust your treatment plan.
Is my physical therapist licensed?
At PT of The City, all our Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants are licensed by their respective states.
Pelvic FAQs
What is pelvic floor therapy?
Pelvic floor therapy is a specialty of physical therapy that focuses on the pelvic floor and beyond and can include the muscles and fascia of the pelvis, hips, back, and chest.
Physical therapists (PTs) specializing in the pelvic floor treat a wide variety of patients and problems. This includes bowel/bladder/sexual problems, prolapse, abdominal pain, back pain/pelvic pain, etc. Most therapists look at women, but not all look at men. Additional training is required for treating children and may also be required for treating transgender/nonbinary individuals. It may be worth calling if you have any questions about your care or whether the therapist is treating your population and diagnosis.
What should I expect in the evaluation?
The basic formula for physiotherapy pelvic floor assessment is to collect, assess, and evaluate a medical history. Anamnesis is a conversation between you and your therapist. The focus is on what your complaint is and what you’re asking for help with. But that basic formula aside, it comes down to this. During the first session, it is important that the patient feel comfortable with the therapist. Studies show that the most important factor in the success of treatment is the individual’s trust in the provider.
Beyond basic formulas, there are all kinds of variables. In general, most of the evaluation involves talking and taking a medical history. Some people have more complicated histories than others. The therapist will listen and, if the symptoms are related, explain how they are related to the pelvic floor muscles. A physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor muscles usually asks questions about bowel, bladder, and sexual function. He or she may ask additional questions to give you a clearer picture. Your diet, exercise habits, stress levels, self-care, history of trauma, what brings you joy, how long your problem has existed, what you have tried before, and what has been most effective If you have sexual concerns, your therapist may ask questions about your sexual activity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and more. After the medical history interview, the evaluation will be followed by a physical examination. Often, there is an educational field. The therapist teaches about the muscles of the pelvis. How muscles move and work. As a rule, the therapist uses a pelvic model to show you what a pelvic floor evaluation looks like. A physical examination can begin with an orthopedic evaluation. Depending on the patient’s symptoms, the back/hip/chest may be examined before proceeding to assess the pelvic floor muscles. It depends on the person’s presentation.
“For example, if you are experiencing pain during intercourse or leaking urine but simply need help because urinary problems affect your daily life, focus there. You can ask about pain during intercourse because the muscles perform both activities. All this can happen during the first session or over the first few sessions. It depends on how long and how complex the case is.
The relationship between provider and participant is based on partnership. An analogy I often use is that therapy is like riding in a car. The individual or participant is the bus driver, and the therapist is the navigator. The navigator knows where we are going and has a road map, but it is up to the driver which roads to use. If there are parts that make you uncomfortable, say it; you are the driver. There is always another way. A good therapist will ask for your consent several times if you have questions and will usually give you options on how to proceed.”
What should I wear for pelvic floor therapy?
You can wear anything that is comfortable and allows you to move around. If you come from work, you can always bring a change of shorts or a sweatshirt that fits you.
What else should I keep in mind?
This type of treatment can be difficult. There are often slowdowns and pauses. This can be difficult in fast-paced cultures. It is not uncommon for people to have flashbacks if they have experienced trauma (including medical trauma) in the past. In general, I highly recommend having a good team working with and beside you. Your therapist is just one member. Additional resources, such as friends/family, psychotherapists, and primary care physicians, can be beneficial.
What should not happen during an evaluation?
Some discomfort is okay; “Wow, this person is asking a personal question” and “I don’t usually talk about stuff like this” levels are okay. It’s not good to feel exposed or to do something unpleasant for a therapist.
Pain can be a more difficult concept. If pain is the reason you go to therapy, you may feel uncomfortable when your therapist finds out about you and your pain. Discomfort is more likely to appear on the first day, but from there, the goal is to relieve pain. It can also be reassuring to know that someone “found” your pain. However, please let your therapist know if you experience any unpleasant pain or discomfort. A therapist has many tools. If you’re unfamiliar with a particular exercise or technique, ask if there’s another way to reach your goal.
It takes courage to ask for help and be vulnerable. It’s an honor to hear from you.
Billing - Insurance FAQs
Who pays for the treatment?
If the patient has active coverage, the insurance should be paying for the treatment; the patient may have to pay a portion of the bill depending on the insurance coverage.
If the patient does not have active coverage, they can pay for the treatment.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept most insurance companies.
For more information about the insurance we accept, please visit
How does the billing process work?
Billing for Physical Therapy services is similar to billing for a doctor’s visit.
The following occurs when a patient is scheduled for treatment:
The patient’s insurance is verified to ensure coverage from the insurance carrier for the specified course of treatment. Authorization is obtained, and we bill the insurance company based on the results of the verification of benefits. The patient is notified if there are issues obtaining authorization for services or if we are unable to verify coverage.
The patient’s insurance is billed based on charges or Common Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes that are determined based on the course of treatment from the patient’s Physical Therapist.
The insurance carrier processes the information submitted and makes payments according to an agreed-upon contract or fee schedule.
The patient will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the insurance carrier; we receive a similar EOB indicating the payment has been issued. The EOB also provides patient responsibility, and if applicable, the patient is obligated to make the payment for any balance.
It is important to understand that there are many small steps (beyond those outlined above) within the billing process. Exceptions are common, and missing information and/or miscommunications may occur. This can delay the payment process.
What type of insurance company do you accept?
We accept most insurance companies. Check the following insurance companies’ names:
- 1199
- Aetna
- Age Well
- Amida Care
- Cigna
- Centers Plan For Healthy Living
- Christian Brothers for Healthy Living
- Emblem HIP
- Emblem Health GHI
- Empire BCBS/ Anthem All Products
- ElderPlan
- Fidelis
- Health First
- Humana
- Hamaspik Choice
- Lifestyle Health Plans
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- MetroPlus
- MagnaCare
- MultiPlan
- Oscar Health Plans
- Partners health plan
- Senior Whole Health
- Sheel VNS
- The Empire Plan
- United HealthCare Oxford
- United HealthCare All Products
- UMR
- VNS Choice Plus
- WellCare
- Senior Whole Health MLTC
- Senior Whole Health By Molina Healthcare
How much is my copay or deductible?
This amount depends on the insurance and current benefit status of the policy; this information can be obtained and validated once needed.
You will be notified before your first appointment after verifying your insurance plan’s benefits.
Do you accept non fault and workers' compensation?
Yes, the patient’s case should be checked with the insurance carrier or the case adjuster to ensure coverage and funds are available.
In the case of no-fault, we have to make sure that physical therapy is not denied due to a negative independent medical examination (IME).
In the case of worker’s compensation, there should be an approved authorization form for the treatment.