Frequently Asked questions
Effective January 9, 2023: We are now located at 500 North Bullard Avenue, Suite 28, Goodyear, AZ 85338.
Directions:
Exit onto Bullard Avenue from the I-10 freeway and head NORTH.
Continue straight on Bullard Avenue for approximately 0.5 miles.
Look for the office complex at 500 North Bullard Avenue on your right.
Turn into the driveway and proceed to the parking area.
Park in any available spot near Suite 28.
Walk towards the entrance closest to Suite 28.
I do accept some insurance plans. Please call me to determine if your insurer contracts with me.
For those who fall outside of my network, many of my clients do seek reimbursement from their own insurance companies after treatment sessions. For this situation, I provide a ‘Superbill’ which you can provide to your insurance company. I’d recommend you reach out to your insurance company about the process. For those with plans outside of my networks, I am most likely going fall under the category of ‘out-of-network provider’.
Here’s what I recommend you learn when you speak with your insurance company:
- Ask them about their physical therapy benefits for out-of-network providers,
- How much is your out-of-network deductible and how much of it is left for the year,
- If you’ve met your deductible for the year, ask what your co-insurance percentage is now that you’re over your deductible
- Ask if there are any annual session amount limits and if your insurance requires another practitioner’s referral
You don’t need a referral to see a physical therapist. Typically, you can just call me directly to schedule a session.
Note: If you plan on seeking reimbursement with your insurance, some plans require a referral. Please call your insurance plan’s member services line for additional context and information.
Every patient is different, and the amount of time to heal really varies on a variety of factors. A good example is if you’ve had pain for a long time, with a complex root cause. This situation may be a more involved process than someone with a recent issue. For this question, your best answer would be to call me to clarify your individual situation. At our first session together, I’ll be able to more clearly evaluate you, and give you a recommended individualized treatment course.
My sessions typically last 60 minutes.
A typical session starts by reviewing your current concern, and your complete medical history. We can also review any medical images (MRIs/CTs/etc.) you may have, as well as any past treatments you’ve tried before seeing me. I’ll ask you about context: when and how you experience your issue, and then perform a physical examination. Depending on your situation, this may include external testing for strength and flexibility, or, in some cases that involve the pelvic floor, may include an internal pelvic examination. From there, we will initiate a specific and individualized treatment, which may include a home exercise program.
Please bring the intake forms that I will email you after you schedule your first session. Also, feel free to bring any medical records and images related to your situation, including MRIs/CTs/etc. that could be helpful.
Babies attend my sessions quite frequently and are encouraged! We typically include your child in your individualized home treatment plan, and can pause during sessions for diaper changes and feedings.
Please wear something light and comfortable. In some cases, I may provide manual work, so keep that in mind, as thick clothes may be problematic.
If you have a hip, knee, leg, or ankle situation, I’d go for shorts or a skirt.
Marci Silverberg, MPT: California Physical Therapy License # 29318
For more information on Marci’s education and training, please click here
Natalie (Nazanin) Shobeiri, DPT: California Physical Therapy License # 300164
For more information on Natalie’s education and training, please click here
Yes.
Notice of the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explains how much your medical care will cost you. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance, an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected costs of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment and hospital fees. Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your scheduled service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure you save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit
www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-877-696-6775
Pelvic Floor FAQ’s
During your first session, your therapist will first review relevant medical history as well as gather detailed information regarding your symptoms. Questions may be related to pain, bladder habits, bowel habits, water intake, intercourse, activity levels, and goals. While it can be uncomfortable for some to discuss certain topics, please be aware that your therapist treats these conditions every day and it provides valuable information to accurately diagnose and treat your symptoms.
The physical exam will begin with a global overview of how your body moves and will often include range of motion, strength, stability/balance, and functional movements such as squatting. This provides important information regarding any movement dysfunctions or muscle imbalances that can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Internal exam
The gold standard for assessing pelvic floor muscles is an internal pelvic floor muscle assessment. Unlike the muscles of your arm or leg that you can clearly see move during contraction and relaxation, range of motion of the deep pelvic floor muscles cannot be seen or felt without a pelvic floor muscle assessment. An internal exam consists of the therapist placing one gloved finger vaginally (or rectally, depending on symptoms) in order to thoroughly assess muscle tension, strength, ability to lengthen, and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles. There are no tools such as a speculum used during a pelvic PT exam.
While the internal muscle exam gives the most specific and useful information in creating your treatment plan, it is only performed if you are completely comfortable with it. You can still participate in PT if you do not wish to or are not medically cleared for a pelvic floor muscle assessment. Please communicate with your therapist if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to omit the internal exam and they will be happy to accommodate.
Treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction will depend on your symptoms, objective findings from the physical exam, and your goals. Pelvic floor treatment may include patient education such as bladder retraining, direct/internal pelvic floor myofascial release, external manual therapy to pelvic floor, re-education on how and when to properly contract and relax pelvic floor muscles, exercises focused on full pelvic floor range of motion, strengthening, and addressing any associated deficits at the hips, low back, etc.
Tools are also sometimes included in treatment depending on your needs. Pelvic floor specific tools may include vaginal dilators, pelvic wands, and/or pelvic floor weights. These tools are often reviewed in therapy for patients to use at home. Our therapists are also trained in dry needling, cupping, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for other areas of the body such as back, hips, neck, etc.
No! While many people think that pelvic floor issues are normal, and were maybe even told so by their physician, this is simply not true. While pelvic floor dysfunction is common, it is not considered normal and should be addressed by a professional. You do not have to live with urinary leakage, abdominal separation, or pain with intercourse!
Menses will not affect a pelvic floor exam or treatment. However, it is completely dependent on your comfort level. If you are having increased pain/cramping and wish to avoid internal pelvic floor work, please let your therapist know and that can be omitted during your session. It is still beneficial to come to your appointment as there are more components to treatment than internal work. If you have specific questions, please reach out to your therapist and they will be happy to assist you.
In the state of Arizona, you do not have to see a physician first in order to see a physical therapist. PT’s are trained to recognize issues that go beyond the scope of therapy and require further assessment from a physician. During pregnancy, it is common for your PT to be in communication with your OB or midwife as part of your perinatal team.
Pregnancy is a wonderful time to seek pelvic PT. Physical therapy can help address common aches and pains experienced during pregnancy such as pain in the pelvis, pubic symphysis, groin, round ligaments, hips, low back, and upper back. In addition, this is a time we frequently see new onset of worsening of urinary or fecal incontinence, prolapse, and painful intercourse.
It is important that your OB or midwife is aware of all treatments received during pregnancy, including pelvic floor PT. It is common for your pelvic PT to be in communication with your provider for progress updates and to discuss any health concerns that may affect treatment. For example, some patient’s may be placed on ‘pelvic rest’ for medical reasons and internal pelvic floor muscle assessment will be omitted. If you have no restrictions on intercourse during your pregnancy, your provider will likely not have any concerns with pelvic floor treatment as intercourse is much more invasive than any treatment you will receive!
Clients with male specific pelvic floor diagnosis will be assessed on a case by case basis, based on our clinicians training.
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Monday-Friday 8am-6pm by Appointment