This page will address, in detail, many of the questions our patients commonly ask.
You can choose to either conventionally read the answers, or listen to them, by clicking on the play button. Remember to have your speakers turned up! Feedback on this page

Common Administrative questions:

1. Do you accept insurance?

2. Do you take medicare?

3. What is the cost of the initial evaluation?

4. What is the cost of a visit/treatment?

5. How long are the treatments?

6. What should I bring to treatment?

7. What should I wear to treatment?

8. Will I see the same therapist each treatment?

9. How many treatments will I need?

10. Do you accept checks/credit cards?

11. What is your cancellation policy?

12. Is it ok to be late for my appointment?

13. Where are you located?

14. Do you work with other doctors?

15. Do I need a prescription for physical therapy?

Common Clinical Questions:

1. What is fascia?

2. How does the fascial system work?

3. What is Myofascial Release?

4. How do you get fascial restrictions?

5. How is MFR different than traditional physical therapy?

6. How long will it take until I feel better?

7. Will MFR treatment make me sore?

8. What if my symptoms get worse?

9. Does MFR work for any diagnosis?

10. Will I have homework to do?

11. Is there a lot of talking during treatment?

12. The day after my initial evaluation, if I have pain should I panic?

Common Administrative questions:

1. Do you accept insurance?

We are an out of network provider. This means that you will need to pay for your visit when you come in and have your insurance company reimburse you. For physical therapy we will take all your insurance information and print claims forms for you so all you need to do is put it in the mail! You may be able to find out in advance what the details of your insurance plan are if you call them and ask about your “out of network” benefits.

2. Do you take medicare?

Yes we do accept Medicare. Please have your birth date and medicare number ready when you call to make your first appointment, so we can check your benefits for you!

3. What is the cost of the initial evaluation?

An initial evaluation is one hour of comprehensive evaluation and one hour of treatment. This is a full two hours of one on one attention from your physical therapist! The fee is 280.00 dollars for this first visit.

In the Midtown Manhattan office the first visit is one and a half hours long and cost is 295.00.

You will need a prescription for physical therapy. If you don’t have one for the first couple visits, that is fine but we suggest you get one as soon as possible. Definitely within one month or ten visits whichever comes first.

4. What is the cost of a visit / treatment?

A one hour treatment is 140.00 dollars. We will have your insurance claim form ready for you when you are finished with treatment. In Midtown Manhattan the cost is $195.00 for a forty-five minute treatment.

5. How long are the treatments?

Treatments are one hour long. This includes discussion, myofascial release and whatever other skilled treatment is indicated to help you reach your desired goals as well as exercise and/or progression of the home program. It would be beneficial to come about 5 minutes early to get yourself settled in your room. In our office you also will not need to worry about signing in and waiting. Your appointment time is yours and is specifically set aside for you to have a full hour with the therapist at the time you requested. After treatment you may feel very relaxed and enjoy the bonus of some moist heat and a guided audio cd or music for fifteen minutes.

6. What should I bring to treatment?

On your first visit make sure to bring your insurance card so we can make a copy of it. Also please bring your prescription for physical therapy if you have one. If you want to fill out the paperwork early and bring it with you, it is on our website.

7. What should I wear to treatment?

Because myofascial release should ideally be done on skin, it is preferred that you are comfortably undressed. A tank top and shorts are fine, while some people wear bathing suits. It all depends on how you will be comfortable, and may evolve with time. We supply shorts or gowns for those who need them.

8. Will I see the same therapist each treatment?

Here at WPT we have a “team policy. ”This means we will help you schedule your appointments at times that are convenient for you and at the recommended interval. We have 4 therapists currently, and we want you to meet all of them and see how each therapist has their own special way of treating you! Although all therapists are highly trained in the same consistent John F. Barnes myofascial release approach, each have their own unique style and we, as well as our colleague’s, MFR therapists around the country, have found that seeing more than one therapist will mean you progress faster.

9. How many treatments will I need?

Everyone has a different diagnosis and will respond to treatment individually. There is no magic number of treatments. Also, age is not an issue, you are never too young or old to experience the benefits of MFR. That being said, in most instances you should be starting to see and feel progress towards your goals by the sixth visit at the latest. At your first visit the physical therapist will recommend how often you should come in order for you to meet your specific goals. Coming more often usually results in faster progress. Treatments are spaced further apart once you are maintaining and feeling a lot better.

10. Do you accept checks/credit cards?

We accept cash, check and all major credit cards.

11. What is your cancellation policy?

Since your appointment time is a whole hour set aside specifically for you, we request that all patients extend a courteous 24-hour cancellation notice to change or cancel any appointment. If less than 24 hours notice is given, the full session fee may apply in a discretionary fashion. In Manhattan we request forty-eight hours notice.

12. Is it ok to be late for my appointment?

Your appointment time is reserved for you, so you do not sign in and you do not wait for it to be your turn. If you are late you will have less time to be treated by the therapist because there is another person with a reserved appointment after you. If you do think you will be a little late, please call us and let us know.

13. Where are you located?

Conveniently off Interstate 684 on route 22 in Brewster, NY. The Midtown office is located a half block from Grand Central Station’s 45th Street passage. We have a detailed map on our website www.wholisticphysicaltherapy.com Please do not hesitate to call if you are unsure.

14. Do you work with other doctors?

Yes we work with all physicians and are part of a holistic network of physicians in the surrounding area’s. We also have a nutritionist and an intergrative psychotherapist at our location in Brewster.

15. Do I need a prescription for physical therapy?

No, not necessarily.
In New York state, it is legal to be evaluated and treated by a physical therapist WITHOUT a prescription for the first month, or 10 visits, whichever comes first. You will need one thereafter though. However, if submitting for insurance reimbursement, it is wise to have a prescription from the beginning of treatment, since they often request it. After the initial visit, our office will mail a typed copy of your evaluation to the doctor whom you specify, and that usually encourages them to write a script saying “Physical Therapy. Evaluate and Treat” or whatever else they choose to write on it.

Frequently Asked Clinical Questions

1. What is fascia?

Fascia (also called connective tissue) holds us all together and has been virtually ignored in the past. Fascia is a multidimensional web-like tissue that extends throughout the body. It is composed of two types of fibers:
A) Collagenous fibers, which are very tough and have little stretchability B) Elastic fibers, which are stretchable . Fascia is not muscle, but muscle is comprised of approximately 80% fascia. From the functional point of view, the body fascia may be regarded as a continuous three dimensional web of connective tissue that extends without interruption from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. It surrounds and invades every other tissue and organ of the body, including nerves, vessels, muscle and bone. It has been estimated that fascia has a tensile strength of as much as 2000 pounds per square inch.

2. How does the fascial system work?

The fascial system is made up of microtubules and marries all the other structures of the body, such as veins, nerves, other body systems (lymphatic system, endocrine system, etc.). It does not just exist in one place. It penetrates every cell from the brain to skin. Restrictions or adhesions affect the fascial system by binding it down, causing thickening, hardening and increased pressure. This may result in pain and other symptoms anywhere in the body. Working with the fascial system requires much experience and an extremely sensitive touch.

3. What is Myofascial Release?

Authenic John F. Barnes Myofascial Release, (JFB-MFR) is a full body, hands on technique that releases the fascial system. The myofascial release approach is an intensive, generally mild and gentle form of stretching
performed by qualified therapists who have been highly trained. These techniques have profound effects upon the body tissues. Because of its gentleness, many individuals wonder how it could possibly work. Because the facial system is interconnected, symptoms may appear in areas of the body one might assume are unrelated to the actual restricted area. Myofascial restrictions do not show up on any of the standard tests (x- rays, CAT scans, MRI’s etc.) so these myofascial restrictions have been ignored or misdiagnosed. For example; when scars harden in one area following injury, inflammation, disease, surgery, etc. it can put tension on adjacent pain-sensitive structures as well as on structures in far away areas. Some patients have bizarre pain symptoms that appear to be unrelated to the original or primary complaint. These bizarre symptoms can now
often be understood in relationship to our understanding the fascial system.
Effective MFR treatment involves various techniques that are frequently applied to several different area’s of the body. This is, therefore, a whole body approach to evaluation and treatment. The therapist needs to use
“skin on skin” contact to provide the friction interface needed to release the fascia effectively. Release of these fascial restrictions includes specific specialized manual techniques of holding the tissue for a minimum 90 –120
seconds allowing for mechanical and biomechanical reaction to begin. Full release of the restriction may take five minutes or longer. Successive releases, through each layer, also require this time element. Our approach is
successful because we treat a system in the body that no one else treats, the fascial system. JFB-MFR has been developing and refining MFR over the past 40 years to make this approach the most advanced and effective
hands-on care available, particularly for patients who have not responded to traditional medical or surgical interventions Once the fascial system is addressed, these same patients begin to make progress in a matter of
weeks with intensive MFR treatments and are on their way to a pain free, active lifestyle.

4. How do you get fascial restrictions?

Through (1) trauma, (2) repetitive motion or (3) poor postures over time (sitting all day), (4) surgery, and scar tissue - restrictions can form in the fascial system. These restrictions can exert force of up to 2000 pounds per
square inch on the body’s sensitive tissues and organs. This force can literally crush any of the vital structures that are near it. Since the fascial system runs throughout your entire body, these restrictions can cause pain anywhere in the body and compromise any system. By system I mean, vascular, neurologic, muscular, circulatory, digestive, etc. Fascial restrictions can cause digestive problems, fertility problems, circulation problems, neurological problems, etc. These restrictions can become tighter over time, literally making you feel like you are in a straight jacket and sending symptoms throughout your body.

When the cause of these symptoms, myofascial restriction, is left untreated, these symptoms often progress to the point of some type of chronic pain syndrome. In some patients, blood vessels and nerve roots can become caught which creates entrapment syndromes and ischemic like conditions.
Excessive pressure such as this can explain why some symptoms develop. Conventional treatment methods do not affect the myofascial system and at best produce only temporary symptomatic changes. MFR is a
structural approach that treats the cause of the problems not just the symptoms and this is what produces long
lasting results.

5. How is Wholistic Physical Therapy different than traditional PT?

Authentic MFR at Wholistic Physical Therapy is not forceful. It is a whole body approach tailored to each individual. The body is allowed to release, not forced to release. This does not mean that the releases will not be painful. Many times during a release pain and/or many other sensations will be felt. This is described as your fascial voice. WPT MFR treatments are minimum one hour with your therapist working with you, one on one, on your body’s restrictions. Some traditional settings feel like a production line, and are not very private. WPT MFR is all encompassing ie.: mind, body and spirit. The fascial system stores memory from physical, mental, and emotional traumas.

In traditional therapy, scheduled time with each patient is dictated by the insurance carriers. Individual treatment is not the norm and it is not uncommon to have three or four patients per hour per therapist and most times you are performing your exercise program independently. Modalities have their purpose but should remain an adjunct to the therapy process to enhance healing, not become the therapy process. In traditional physical therapy settings there is sometimes overuse of modalities like ultrasound and electrical stimulation which have no effect on the cause of the symptoms which is actually ischemic pressure from myofascial restrictions.
WPT myofascial release is a whole body approach to treating the cause of the symptoms not just palliatively treating symptoms. MFR has long lasting often permanent effects on the body with self treatment practice daily. The decrease in pain and increase in movement and flexibility restores your bodies balance and energy leaving you feeling restored and ready to live an active life.

6. How long will it take until I feel better?

Each person will heal and progress as individuals. Some patients have relief after their first treatment and others do not. This is highly individual based on diagnosis, chronicity of symptoms, motivation to heal, personal belief system of health and healing, and cultural beliefs can all effect outcomes. Rome was not built in one day and it was not destroyed overnight. Similarly chronic health problems will not turn around overnight.
The good news is that with MFR you can get permanent results.

7. Will MFR treatment make me sore?

Usually you will feel great after your myofascial release sessions, especially early on in treatment. But, there may be times when your body will respond to treatment with soreness. Once the fascial system has been affected, increased circulation enters the area through blood flow, carrying oxygen and nutrients critical to the healing process, as well as pushing out the stagnated blood and build up of lactic acid. Remember our bodies are fluid filled and require movement of fluid in our systems to function in harmony, and maintain
homeostatis. Tell the therapist about sore areas because this is valuable information. It tells us where your restrictions are, and where else your body needs treatment. We encourage all of our patients to drink more water, especially after treatments, to help your body flush out the toxins that have been build up in your system over time. This will also help prevent any soreness.

8. What if my symptoms get worse?

This is what we refer to as a “healing crisis”. It can happen because your awareness has increased and you actually feel how much pain is really there. Most of us have tuned our pain out, and now you are fully feeling it. This increase in signs and symptoms is your body’s way of bringing your awareness into what you are dealing with everyday, but you “tune out” and don’t allow yourself to feel. Another reason is that you are getting into the deeper layers of the restrictions. The deeper you go into the restrictions, the closer you get to sensitive areas and as you go into the deeper layers the symptoms intensify and emotions may surface. There will be ups and downs which is normal. The body is not linear. Always remember JFB-MFR is not injurious.
Using self treatment techniques that your therapist taught you will help you through this process. A regular self treatment program combined with your therapy session of MFR will help speed your healing process. Spending
quiet time bringing awareness into your body will help you get in touch with what lies beneath the layers. Give your body permission to let go of anything that is no longer serving you, and give yourself permission to do and
feel whatever you need in order to heal.
The post treatment soreness gives the patient and therapist valuable information about where the restrictions are located. So make a note of what you feel and communicate it to your therapist to enhance your treatment
experience, speed your results and feel better faster.

9. Does MFR work for any diagnosis?

Myofascial restrictions can create the symptoms of every diagnosis there is. At times well-meaning clinicians and patients, get caught up in the ”diagnosis”. Remember most diagnosis are just naming of symptoms. It is a
label placed on a person’s dysfunction. When you focus on a diagnosis and not the whole body you limit your results.
The answer to the question, “Can MFR help with every diagnosis?” Well of course it can. Can it cure every diagnosis? no it cannot. As MFR therapists we learn that freeing up the body from restrictions will allow the
body to function more efficiently, and many times correct itself. Not only will this help for acute trauma but also systemic, neural or chronic conditions. JFB-MFR will help peel back and free up not only the physical system restrictions but the emotions that are holding the straight jacket in place.

10. Will I have homework to do?

Yes. You will be given an appropriate individualized self treatment and home exercise program. Your evaluating therapist will make the decision initially regarding what will benefit you best to begin your healing journey. Then as you progress your home program may change or be expanded upon to meet your current needs.

11. Is there a lot of talking during treatment?

We encourage you to share changes you have observed in your function between treatments at the beginning of each session. Then to benefit from the MFR process we encourage you to quiet your mind and relax your body so authentic healing can occur.

12. If I have the symptoms after my evaluation should I panic?

No. What you are experiencing is what is referred to as a “healing crisis”. It can happen because your awareness has increased and you actually feel how much pain is really there. Most of us have tuned our pain out, and now you are fully feeling it. This increase in signs and symptoms is your body’s way of bringing your awareness into what you are dealing with everyday, but you “tune out” and don’t allow yourself to feel. Another reason is that you are getting into the deeper layers of the restrictions. The deeper you go into the restrictions, the closer you get to sensitive areas and as you go into the deeper layers the symptoms intensify and emotions may surface. There will be ups and downs which is normal. The body is not linear. Always remember JFB-MFR is not injurious.
Using self treatment techniques that your therapist taught you will help you through this process. A regular self treatment program combined with your therapy session of MFR will help speed your healing process. Spending quiet time bringing awareness into your body will help you get in touch with what lies beneath the layers. Give your body permission to let go of anything that is no longer serving you, and give yourself permission to do and feel whatever you need in order to heal.
The post treatment soreness gives the patient and therapist valuable information about where the restrictions are located. So make a note of what you feel and communicate it to your therapist to enhance your treatment
experience, speed your results and feel better faster.

It is safe to say: Thanks to MFR - there is hope for you to feel better!

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Wholistic Physical Therapy
Brewster, NY and Midtown Manhattan
(845) 940-1050
(646) 205-9180
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