Frequently Asked Questions

Physical therapy is a medical, hands-on approach to relieving pain, restoring function, and improving quality of life.

Physical therapists are medical experts in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and work closely with physicians to help people manage pain and improve movement problems. They identify, diagnose, and treat abnormal physical function related to an injury, disability, or other health conditions through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed exercise.

While every patient’s condition is unique, your physical therapist will use various hands-on techniques, exercises, and equipment to relieve pain at the root, restore mobility and function to optimum levels, and prevent the injury or pain from recurring.

At Bull Dawg Athletic Training and Physical Therapy, you can expect a thorough evaluation by a physical therapist who will create a treatment plan for your specific diagnosis, treat you accordingly, and monitor your progress toward your goals as you improve.

Like many other medical practitioners, physical therapists may specialize in certain areas, such as orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, sports, or hand rehabilitation.

YES! As a patient, you have the right to receive physical therapy at any place you choose. At Bull Dawg Athletic Training and Physical Therapy, you will receive the highest quality care while achieving your desired results. We pride ourselves on providing a positive, encouraging environment with well-trained, friendly staff. We are confident in our ability to help you reach your goals and live a pain-free life.

Your health insurance benefits will determine how much if any, out-of-pocket costs you’ll incur. You are required to pay for your treatments and/or the required co-pay at the time of each visit. We accept payments by cash, check, or credit card.

Typically, physical therapy is covered by health insurance providers, especially in situations when it's medically necessary. Please note that Bull Dawg is an out-of-network provider for all health insurance except Medicare. Your reimbursement depends on your particular insurance company. Please contact your insurance provider to get the most accurate information about your coverage.

Bull Dawg is a Medicare-approved provider, which means we accept what Medicare pays as payment in full, less any co-pay or deductible that you owe. Please note that if you are covered by Medicare, you will need a prescription for physical therapy from your medical doctor.

It is our policy that payment is made at the time of service. We are happy to discuss payment plan options as well.

Your physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation at your first appointment. They will evaluate your posture, range of motion, strength, flexibility, and gait, perform special tests, and talk about your goals. If appropriate, a home exercise program will be given. It is essential to your quick recovery to adhere to this program.

Click here for more information on what to expect at your first physical therapy appointment.

On your first visit, you’ll need to bring your physician referral or prescription (if needed), your insurance card, your ID, your new patient paperwork, and your co-payment (as applicable). If desired, you may bring a change of clothing.

We recommend that you wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes — something you can exercise in — and sneakers.

This depends on your symptoms and the treatment plan you and your therapist agreed on. Treatment courses range from 1-2 visits to a few months for more serious conditions. During your initial visit, your physical therapist will give you an idea of the duration of your treatment.

Personal training sessions last approximately 50 minutes. This is a one-on-one session with a dedicated trainer who will lead you through various exercises and programs depending on what goals you’re trying to achieve.

At Bull Dawg Athletic Training and Physical Therapy, there may be an occasional person or two in the gym for training or physical therapy, but we like to make our clients as comfortable as possible, which is why we limit the number of people in the gym space.

No, it’s not! Since we are a private gym, you must be with a physical therapist or personal trainer to access the space. This means we can get straight to working out when you come in to train instead of waiting for equipment to open up.

An appointment is required for our clinic. You can request an appointment online, and our staff will be in touch with you.

Virginia is a direct access state, which means no referral is required. However, some insurance providers may require patients to see their physicians before seeing a physical therapist.

Patients who need to cancel an appointment must do so 24 hours before their scheduled appointment time. Failure to give 24-hour notice of cancellation results in a fee.