Best Blue Cross Blue Shield Physical Therapist in Manhattan Harlem, NY

You won’t have any issues finding a Harlem physical therapist who takes Blue Cross HMO. The best physical therapists in Harlem can be found through this directory. Harlem is a lively neighborhood in the upper part of Manhattan, and its population is diverse. As a resident, you enjoy affordable rents, multiple parks, live festivals and convenient public transportation. To remain mobile and healthy enough to get the benefits of living in Harlem, take advantage of physical therapy (PT) throughout the area.Many physical therapists in Harlem take BlueCross HMO. Review your plan to find out if there’s a limit on the number of covered visits to a physical therapist and whether you need a referral from your primary care doctor. Then book an appointment with a Harlem physical therapist who accepts your insurance.

Physical therapy is a form of treatment done to restore mobility, relieve pain and improve functionality. Physical therapists treat people of all ages who have chronic pain or medical conditions. They also treat those who’re recovering from surgery or injuries that affect mobility. Services provided by BlueCross HMO physical therapists include:

• Therapeutic exercises. Physical therapists teach you to properly perform exercises that restore strength or flexibility. These exercises are done with or without equipment or weights.
• Non-invasive treatments. Your NYC physical therapist may administer a variety of treatments to reduce pain and inflammation, such as the application of devices that transmit electric currents.
• Hands-on therapy. Many health conditions and injuries benefit from manual manipulation by a physical therapist using hands, arms or elbows. This may include massage, joint stretching or moving body parts against resistance.
• Hydrotherapy. Also called aquatic therapy, hydrotherapy uses pools and pressurized water in tubs to relieve stiffness, swelling and pain. Doing movements in water is a low-resistance method that allows you to exercise safely.
• Post-operative care. When you injure muscles or joints, you may need surgery to repair the damage. Harlem physical therapists who take BlueCross HMO often begin post-surgical rehabilitation to restore the functionality of the repaired area.

Physical therapists undergo extensive training that qualifies them to create customized treatment plans. After earning a Bachelor’s degree, physical therapists earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), which usually takes three years. Some physical therapists specialize in certain areas, such as:

• Pediatrics
• Geriatrics
• Neurological conditions
• Spinal cord injuries

In addition to completing years of education, including clinical experience, physical therapists are required to pass the National Physical Therapy examination. So when you schedule an appointment with a Harlem physical therapist, you can be sure you’re working with an extensively trained healthcare professional.

If you’ve never visited a physical therapist before, it’s natural to want to know what to expect. During your first appointment with a physical therapist in Harlem who takes BlueCross HMO, you can expect:

• Your NYC physical therapist reviews any medical records that your Harlem primary care doctor may have sent or you brought with you to your appointment.
• You’re asked questions about your symptoms, including a possible diagnosis, the severity of your symptoms and how long you’ve been experiencing them.
• Your physical therapist tests your strength, balance, flexibility and pain levels.
• You discuss your goals and expectations.
• Your therapist creates a treatment plan, which includes how frequently you need to have treatment. It’s common to need appointments twice a week for six weeks.

After your first physical therapy session, you may feel tired or a little bit sore. Your strength and flexibility improve over time as you do the work. Your Manhattan physical therapist adjusts your treatment plan as you start to feel better and move more easily. If your current treatment plan isn’t working for you, your physical therapist makes adjustments as needed to address your issues.

Fortunately, many physical therapists in Harlem who take BlueCross HMO have flexible hours to accommodate busy schedules. Many healthcare practices are only open for a limited number of hours, which can make it difficult if you work full-time during the day or are tied up caring for small children. Ask your PT practice if they offer flexible PT times for after-hours appointments, such as:

• Early morning appointments
• Evening appointments
• Appointments scheduled during your lunch break
• Weekend appointments

Some Harlem physical therapists who take BlueCross HMO also offer virtual visits. Called telehealth, these virtual visits allow you to obtain care from a physical therapist using a computer or mobile device from the comfort of your home or office. Therapists don’t usually allow telehealth visits until after you’ve already had a physical exam. Hands-on treatments can’t be done virtually, of course, so your Harlem physical therapist lets you know when a virtual visit is appropriate.

Treatment by a Harlem physical therapist who takes BlueCross HMO offers many benefits. Each patient who undergoes physical therapy has unique needs and goals. Some of the more common benefits you may experience from PT include:

• Improved mobility and strength
• Better pain management
• Reduced need for medications
• Rehabilitation after a sports injury, fall or vehicle accident
• Reduced stiffness from symptoms of neurological conditions, such as stroke or multiple sclerosis
• Reduced severity of age-related conditions, such as arthritis
• Shortened time needed to recover from surgery
• Guidance in preventing further injury

To obtain the maximum benefits from seeing a physical therapist, keep all your appointments. It’s also important to do any stretching or strengthening exercises that your Harlem physical therapist gives you to do at home. Let your physical therapist know if certain exercises are causing you a lot of pain, or if the exercises seem too easy.Physical therapy is a safe and effective way to reduce pain and restore physical function so you can enjoy a better quality of life. Book an appointment with a Harlem physical therapist today.