Your Questions, Answered

Not necessarily. New Jersey is a direct access state, which means you can book an evaluation with a licensed physical therapist without a doctor's referral. If you aren't making reasonable progress within 30 days of starting treatment, state rules require your therapist to send you to a physician for follow-up.

One catch: some insurance plans still require a referral before they'll pay for therapy. When you call to schedule, our team will check your plan and tell you whether you need one.

Most new patients get their first appointment within 24–48 hours of calling. Getting started early usually means a faster recovery, so there's no reason to wait weeks for an opening.

Yes. Even if your doctor hands you a script with another clinic's name on it, the choice of provider is yours. With more than 20 ProCare locations across New Jersey, there's likely one close to home or work.

ProCare is owned by physical therapists, not a hospital system or a physician group. Our founder, Steve Parente, PT, opened the first clinic in Flemington in 1998, and the practice is still family-operated today. That means treatment decisions are made by the clinicians who know you, and your progress is shared directly with your physician.

• Your completed new-patient forms (download them from our Patient Forms page to save time at check-in)
• A photo ID and your insurance card
• Your referral or prescription, if you have one
• A list of your current medications
• Any imaging reports or surgical notes related to your injury
• For Workers' Compensation or auto (PIP) cases: your claim number, adjuster or case manager contact, and attorney information if applicable

Comfortable clothes you can move in, with easy access to the area we're treating. Shorts work well for hip, knee, and ankle problems; a T-shirt or tank top for neck and shoulder issues. Wear supportive sneakers if you have them.

Your first visit is a one-on-one evaluation with a licensed physical therapist. Plan for about an hour. Your therapist will:

1. Listen first. We'll talk about how the problem started, what makes it better or worse, how it's affecting your day, and what you want to get back to doing.
2. Examine how you move. This may include checking joint motion, strength, flexibility, balance, posture, and nerve function, plus specific tests to pinpoint the source of your symptoms.
3. Explain what we found. You'll leave knowing what's likely going on and why.
4. Build your plan together. We'll agree on goals, how often you'll come in, and roughly how long it should take. In most cases, you'll also start treatment and get your first home exercises that same day.

With your permission, we'll send a summary of the evaluation to your physician.

A licensed physical therapist performs your evaluation and directs your care from start to finish. We schedule you with the same therapist whenever we can, so the person treating you knows your history and your goals. Licensed physical therapist assistants may also be part of your care team under your therapist's supervision.

Follow-up sessions usually run 45 minutes to an hour. Most patients come two to three times a week, then taper off as they improve.

It depends on the injury, how long you've had it, your overall health, and your goals. A minor strain might resolve in a few weeks; recovery from a joint replacement or major surgery can take a few months. Your therapist will re-check your progress regularly, update your plan, and keep your doctor in the loop.

Our goal is to reduce your pain, not add to it. Some parts of rehab, like regaining motion after surgery or strengthening a weak muscle, can feel challenging or cause mild soreness for a day or so. Tell your therapist how you're feeling during and after each session, and we'll adjust.

Every plan is built around your diagnosis and goals. Depending on your needs, it may include:

• Targeted exercise to build strength, flexibility, and endurance
• Hands-on (manual) therapy for stiff joints and tight soft tissue
• Balance, walking, and fall-prevention training
• Education on posture, body mechanics, and managing flare-ups
• Modalities such as heat, ice, or electrical stimulation for pain relief
• A home exercise program so progress continues between visits

Select clinics also offer specialized programs, including our Balance Center, Pelvic Health program, the McKenzie Method for spine pain, and the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill.

Physical therapists are trained to identify the movement problems behind your pain and decide whether PT is right for you. A medical diagnosis, including ordering imaging or prescribing medication, comes from a physician. If anything in your evaluation suggests you need a doctor's attention, we'll tell you and help coordinate.

Most health plans cover PT, and ProCare participates with many major insurers, like Medicare and Workers' Compensation. Coverage details such as copays, deductibles, visit limits, and referral requirements vary by plan. Our front desk will verify your benefits before your first visit and explain what to expect. See our Insurance page for more.

We bill your insurance carrier directly after each visit. You'll pay any copay at the time of service. Once your insurer processes the claim, you'll receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from them showing what was covered. If there's a remaining balance, such as a deductible or coinsurance, we'll send you a statement. Questions about a bill? Contact your clinic and we'll help sort it out.

You can still be treated at ProCare. Ask us about self-pay rates, and you're entitled to a written Good Faith Estimate of your costs before care begins (see below).

When you've reached your goals, your therapist will set you up with a plan to keep the gains you've made. For some people that's a short home exercise routine; for others it's a transition back to the gym, sports, or a regular walking program. We'll make sure you know what to keep doing and what to watch for.

Setbacks happen, and they don't mean treatment failed. Give us a call. Depending on what's going on, we may suggest a few follow-up visits, changes to your routine, or a check-in with your doctor.