Doing PT can help reduce pain and improve mobility
Physical therapists (PTs) are movement specialists who help people improve mobility, reduce pain and return to everyday activities. Movement challenges can result from injury, poor posture, medical conditions or chronic pain, making daily tasks more difficult. Physical therapy (PT) can help you move with greater ease and independence.
Benefits of physical therapy
Physical therapists identify the cause of movement challenges and create personalized treatment plans to help you move more comfortably and confidently.
Consider physical therapy if you want to:
- Relieve pain. PTs use exercise, education and hands-on techniques to help improve mobility and reduce pain.
- Build strength. Whether you're recovering from an injury or surgery, a PT can design an exercise program tailored to your needs and goals.
- Improve pelvic floor health. Physical therapy can help strengthen pelvic floor muscles and address conditions that contribute to pain or loss of bladder control.
- Enhance balance and coordination. A physical therapist can help reduce the risk of falls and improve stability during daily activities.
- Address dizziness. PTs can evaluate and treat many common causes of dizziness.
- Move with greater ease. Whether you’re recovering from a stroke or coping with injuries or movement limitations, a PT can help improve how you move during the day.
- Improve posture and body mechanics. Learn movement techniques that support recovery and help prevent future injuries.
- Avoid surgery or pain medications when appropriate. In many cases, physical therapy may help reduce the need for more invasive treatments.
Conveniently located physical therapy services
Specialized physical therapy services
We offer vestibular rehabilitation for balance and dizziness disorders as well as pelvic floor physical therapy.
Clinic locations near you
Choose from conveniently located clinics throughout the region spanning from Marysville in the north to downtown Seattle in the south.
Physical therapy FAQ
Physical therapy, also called physiotherapy, is a health care profession focused on restoring movement and function, for example after an injury or due to a chronic condition.
- Provided by physiotherapists or physical therapists
- Uses exercises, manual therapy and techniques like the application of heat, cold or electrical stimulation
- Helps with recovery from injury, surgery or chronic conditions
While physical therapists work on restoring movement, physiatry is a medical specialty practiced by MDs (Doctors of Medicine) or DOs (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine) and focuses on:
- Diagnosing and managing physical impairments and disabilities
- Overseeing rehabilitation plans, prescribing therapies and medications, and sometimes performing injections
- Working closely with therapists, including physiotherapists, to coordinate care
Physical therapists are considered doctors if they hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This is a clinical degree earned after completing a graduate program typically lasting three years. Those with a DPT are qualified to use the title “Doctor.”
However:
- A DPT is not the same as a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO).
- Physical therapists do not prescribe medications or perform surgery.
- Their expertise lies in movement, rehabilitation and pain management through noninvasive techniques.
So, while many physical therapists are considered doctors in their field, they are not physicians.
It's always best to check with your primary care doctor to determine if physical therapy treatment is needed.
In many states, you don’t need a referral for physical therapy thanks to Direct Access laws, which let you get an evaluation and start treatment without seeing a doctor first. This is especially helpful for issues like joint pain, muscle stiffness or injury recovery.
However, some insurance plans — such as Medicare, Medicaid or workers’ compensation — may still require a physician’s referral or prior authorization. Check with your insurance provider or the physical therapy clinic to confirm what’s needed for your specific coverage.
Many clinics also offer support to help you navigate these requirements and get started smoothly.
The duration of physical therapy depends on the condition being treated, its severity and how consistently the patient follows the treatment plan.
Some general guidelines are:
- Minor injuries like sprains and strains: 2–6 weeks
- Soft tissue injuries, such as muscle or tendon issues: 6–8 weeks
- Post-surgical rehabilitation: 6 weeks to several months
- Fractures: 6–8 weeks for bone healing, plus additional therapy time
- Chronic conditions: Gradual improvement over several months
Physical therapy sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the treatment plan and your individual needs.
Your therapist will adjust the frequency and length of sessions based on your progress and goals. Most people attend therapy 1–3 times a week.
Most patients notice improvements — like reduced pain and better mobility — within the first few weeks of therapy.
Yes, physical therapy can significantly help with arthritis. Here are some benefits:
- Enhanced balance and coordination
- Greater independence
- Improved joint mobility
- Reduced pain and stiffness
- Strengthened muscles around joints
- May reduce need for medications or surgery
Insurance coverage options and support
See which insurance plans are accepted and find further assistance.
Accepted insurance plans in Everett & Eastside
The insurance plans we accept depend on the location of the office where you receive care. Explore the accepted insurance plans for Optum Care Washington locations in Everett and Eastside.
Accepted insurance plans in Seattle & Tacoma
The insurance plans we accept depend on the location of the office where you receive care. Explore the accepted insurance plans for Optum Care Washington locations in Seattle and Tacoma.
Patient help
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*Types of physical therapy vary by location. Check with your local Optum care team to see what’s available in your area.
Optum Care Washington, PLLC and The Polyclinic PLLC d/b/a Optum Care Washington (the “Practices”) are both physician owned and led practices having complete authority for all medical decision-making and patient care through their physicians and other licensed professionals. Optum, through its management organizations (“Optum”) provides non-clinical administrative services to support the Practices and their physicians. Neither Optum nor its management companies employs, engages, or supervises physicians or other licensed professionals, or determines or sets the methods, standards, or conduct of the practice of medicine or exercise of medical judgment or health care provided by the Practices or by any of their licensed professionals.