Preparing For Your Visit

Your Initial Visit

Please arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your first appointment to complete new or returning patient forms. The receptionist will be available at all times to assist you with any questions you may have.

On your initial visit you will be evaluated by one of our professional Physical Therapists to discuss your treatment plan and options. Expect all appointments to take 1 hour.

Please be prepared to bring:

  • Insurance card

  • Physician’s referral

    (if available/necessary as most insurances do not require a physicians referral)

  • Co-pay

    (if required by your insurance)

  • Medication & Supplements List

  • Insurance card
  • Physician’s referral (if available/necessary as most insurances do not require a physicians referral)
  • Co-pay (if required by your insurance)
  • Medication & Supplements List

FAQs

Our physical therapists are very flexible and willing to work with your schedule. We understand it is difficult to take time away from work for visits. During your initial evaluation, you and your therapist can discuss a treatment schedule that coincides with your personal schedule. 

Most insurance plans cover outpatient therapy. Usually, there is a deductible and/or a co-payment for each visit. Once you schedule your visit and you have provided the receptionist with your insurance card and information, he or she will verify your benefits for you and let you know what your estimated cost will be before and after your insurance covers your treatments. If you have any insurance questions or would like to have your benefits verified prior to treatment please call 701-892-8632 and our receptionist will be happy to assist you.

Some insurances do not require a referral from a doctor. For instance, if you are a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota or Minnesota with no insurance affiliations or a Heartland Healthcare Network affiliation, a doctors referral is not required prior to scheduling your appointment with one of our physical therapists.

On your initial visit, please bring a doctor referral if available, your insurance card, a list of any medications you may be taking, and any other appropriate billing information.

All physical therapy exams are private. Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing is recommended and shorts if you are being treated for anything from your hips down to your feet.

Each visit will take about an hour.

To initiate a program of therapy, the therapist will do a thorough examination of the patient. This includes obtaining a patient history and selecting and performing specific tests and measurements to obtain data and information on your condition. Your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan for you and discuss your road to recovery.

The frequency and duration of treatment will be determined by your physician or after the initial evaluation by your therapist. Each individual is different as is each physical condition that requires treatment.

Physical Therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who are experts in musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Therapists are trained to analyze movement and identify abnormal mechanics. From this assessment, a physical therapist will treat a dysfunction with manual skills that will accelerate the recovery process.

Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for incontinence, pelvic floor weakness/pain, pre and post-natal pain and dysfunction, post-gynecological surgery, and many other conditions common to females. Brooke Erstad, PT, DPT has received her Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP). Because of the extensive training and study involved, CAPP providers understand the complex intricacies of the pelvic floor and are therefore well-equipped to treat patients who have undergone hysterectomy or suffer from pelvic pain and other pelvic conditions. Pelvic floor therapy sessions often include gentle muscle release, biofeedback retraining and self-management techniques to help patients improve their quality of life.

Your therapy program will include a home program to be carried out independently. Our therapists use patient-related instruction to educate the patient and patient’s families or care givers when necessary, about the patient’s current condition, treatment plan, and future transition to home, work, or community roles.

Currently, we do not submit massage therapy appointments to your private health insurance, as most will not cover the services. You are able to use your HSA/FSA account to pay for the massage appointments, as they are a health and wellness service. In some cases, we are able to submit to auto or worker’s compensation insurances if a doctor or physical therapist believes it may be beneficial to your recovery.

Stylized green figure in motion at home, representing activity or sports.

From Our Patients