Top 10 Misconceptions About Physical Therapy

By Luna
Top 10 Misconceptions About Physical Therapy

Misconception #1: It isn’t covered by insurance. 

Did you know that most insurance plans, including Medicare, private insurers, and workers’ compensation pay for “medically necessary” PT services provided by a physical therapist? And most insurance companies cover on-demand PT the same way they do PT in a clinic setting. Here’s an easy way to verify your benefits with no headache. 

Misconception #2: You need a prescription to receive PT care. 

Physicians frequently refer their patients to PTs to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. But in the large majority of cases, patients do not need a doctor’s referral to receive PT care. In the past, each state required a referral to PT services from a licensed physician or other healthcare provider. Now, all 50 states allow patients direct access to physical therapy

Misconception #3: All PTs are the same.

Yes, physical therapists acquire the same fundamental knowledge in PT school, but the path they choose after graduation can alter the course of their careers and the subsequent care they provide to patients. Many receive additional education to become board-certified PT specialists in a wide range of specialties like orthopedics, oncology, and more. At Luna, we match each patient with a PT who’s an expert in treating their specific condition.

Misconception #4: You have to visit a clinic to receive care. 

If you’re holding off on physical therapy treatment because the idea of driving to a clinic and spending your valuable time sitting in a waiting room doesn’t sound appealing, we have good news for you. Luna delivers physical therapy to you. This on-demand model makes patients more likely to start physical therapy and complete their course of care

Misconception #5: Impersonal care is the norm.  

If you’ve received traditional PT care in the past, you’re probably familiar with its limitations. Many physical therapists are treating 10-15 patients per day, making it nearly impossible to provide quality care. With Luna, you receive 45-55 minutes of personalized, one-on-one care from a PT who’s an expert in your condition.

Misconception #6: You can’t get started right away. 

The average wait time for traditional physical therapy is 24 days. Imagine the healing that could be taking place in that timeframe! With Luna, patients receive exceptional care within 48 hours of referral or request. And, rather than spending your valuable time trying to figure out whether your insurance covers PT, Luna verifies your benefits for you. 

Misconception #7: PT is only available 9-5, M-F.

At Luna, we believe that PT should work with your schedule—not the other way around. That’s why we offer on-demand PT seven days a week, 6:30 am to 9:30 pm. We want to help you find meaningful relief through physical therapy, even if “normal” business hours don’t apply to you. 

Misconception #8: You need heavy machinery to heal correctly.

In 90% of cases, PT patients don’t need heavy machines to find relief. Luna patients receiving at-home care experience a 45% average reduction in pain within ten visits, compared to an industry benchmark of 30%. It makes sense—if the goal of physical therapy is to restore or enhance your ability to function within your environment, why not utilize your home environment? 

Misconception #9: PT is not tech-enabled.

Technology makes it easier to give and receive PT care, and yet, so many of today’s PT clinics are using outdated, unhelpful systems. The Luna app makes it easy to schedule on-demand PT visits, communicate with your PT, complete in-app exercises between visits, and so much more. Luna’s top-notch technology is helping our patients achieve better results and raising the bar in the PT industry. 

Misconception #10: You’re probably not going to enjoy it. 

So many people would benefit from physical therapy but are resistant to getting started. Whether you’ve had a negative experience with PT in the past or aren’t sure if it’s right for you, we encourage you to learn more about Luna. We would love the opportunity to show you a new way to experience physical therapy. As Luna patient, Leah so simply states, “It’s worth a try.” 

Ready to shake up everything you thought you knew about physical therapy? Get started with Luna today