FAQ with PARR PT in Austin, Houston, and Colorado
In the full Q&A video above, EDS specialist Jonathan Parr (PT, CSCS, EP, MCMT, CBIS) provides you with answers to the most frequently asked questions by PARR PT patients and what you can expect from your first visit with your PARR PT therapist. We treat everything from complex conditions, such as EDS or neurological disorders, to high-performance athletes experiencing stubborn recurrent injuries that keep them from performing at their best.
Our myokinestics-based therapies & innovative training programs can help! If have a question pertaining to a specific condition or injury or would like to get in touch with us directly, click here to schedule an on-site evaluation in Austin or Houston today.
What can I expect from on-site treatments?
On site treatments vary from 30-45-60 minute sessions depending on what each person needs. Most people fall under the 45 minutes time slot. On site we perform 1-1 care without assistance of PT techs or aides. We do not watch you perform exercises on site, although we do teach you the fundamentals needed for your personalized at home exercise program. We also perform various specialized treatments that include myokinesthetics, visceral manipulation, and myofascial release. There are 3 things that most people experience.
- some relief with no post treatment soreness or aches
- immediate relief with moderate fatigue or sleepiness
- change in pain site with feeling of “getting hit by a bus”
All are normal since the body’s system is trying to process the new information that was given via treatment. After the first treatment, we begin to see changes in posture therefore resulting in changes in pain, pain location, and overall energy level. Do not worry, this only occurs within the first 2-3 sessions (since it takes the brain about 10-14 days to get used to a new stimulus) and once the body is acclimated, it’ll just be your standard general soreness from the specific treatment sites.
How many times do I need to come in for treatment?
Frequency varies for reach person but we do recommend that upon starting, that 4 visit are to be completed (including evaluation) within the first 14 days in order to make the biggest impact on re-regulating the autonomic nervous system. After the first 2 weeks, it is up to the patient and PT on what frequency will work best for you whether its twice a week, once a week, or once every other week. This can also change weekly as you start to improve with symptoms and overall strength and stability. Keep in mind, if you are unable to make this frequency work, its ok, just know result may take a little longer but the desired result is still achievable!
What types of complex conditions do you treat?
At Parr PT, in addition to sports rehab & injury prevention for high-performance athletes, we also treat a wide range of complex conditions, including:
- EDS
- POTS
- Dysautonomia
- MCAS
- Eagle’s syndrome
- Chiari Malformation
- Bowel disorders (IBS, constipation, etc)
- Scar therapy
- Pelvic floor dysfunctions
- Lyme Disease
- Post-exertional Malaise (PEM)
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Tethered cord syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinsons
- Acute disseminating encephalomyopathy
- Brain injuries of all types
- Chromosome disorders
- Developmental delays, such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
- Complex chronic orthopedic conditions
- And MORE!
If you are unsure about wether or not we treat your condition, Contact us today to find out how Parr Physical Therapy can help you.
I have EDS. What results can I expect from physical therapy?
Most people focus on solely the muscle in the body as means for EDS recovery. Because collagen is everywhere, we have to consider the other systems that allow for muscle to work correctly versus the muscle themselves. We use our 3 systems approach to target internal systems that typically are unaddressed in your standard physical therapy practice. These 3 systems involve spatial awareness, nerve and organ function. When these systems are not working properly, it results more in the external issues related to compensation causing chronic pain, headaches, and fatigue. It is a much slower yet effective progression that allows each person to go at their own pace with supervision from a license physical therapist to make any adjustments along the way to ensure effectiveness of plan of care.
As your body learns correct movement patterns, reduces compensation, and normalizes vital functioning you can expect the initial results to be somewhat slower in progression. As you progress through this learning process, the body will begin to respond with subtle changes, also in body awareness and proprioception as well as with less “fight or flight” responses in your day-to-day activities. The progressions continues with improvement with activity tolerance, increased strength and stability and functional endurance. It is important to understand that each persons progression is different but ultimately the consistency with a program with ultimately lead to optimal results.
Can physical therapy effectively treat Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)?
Physical therapy is very effective in treating EDS when given the appropriate program and treatment plan. It has been show to reduce POTS symptoms, dizziness, pain, dislocations/subluxations, vertigo, headaches, and recurrent injuries. It has also shown to improve gut motility, autonomic functioning, balance, strength, endurance, and overall quality of life.
What is different about our 3-Systems Approach to treatment?
Our physical therapy assessments are tailored specifically to your needs and abilities, detailed according to 3 Systems that are vital to your health, your:
- Autonomic regulation
- Vestibular system
- Digestive system.
How effective are your programs?
Our programs are designed to start with a much slower and progressive approach. Because of this, it allows to body to make more subtle changes without causing the body to be over stimulated. Over the course of 6-8 weeks, each person will go through 6 levels of progressions to build the foundation necessary for day to day activities prior to moving forward to phase 2 stability and strengthening for more advanced activities. Over the course of 3 years, PARR PT has shown to reduce on average 50% of symptoms in 93% of patients in Phase 1. Patients who were more than 75% complaint with 3 systems program, achieved over 75% symptoms relief within phase 1. Those who were less than 50% compliant, achieved on 25% symptom relief. Our treatments and programs go together like hand and hand. One can not work without the other. Overall, with good compliance of the 3 systems program in addition to treatments, patients have a great chance of feeling optimal symptom relief.
What should I expect from the initial evaluation appointment?
Each patient or athlete receives a full one-hour assessment, which includes specialized testing related to autonomic regulation, body awareness and balance, and digestive functioning. In addition, all of our patients and personal-training clients will receive a 6-week, video-based exercise program that includes over 40 exercises … tailored specifically for each person.
What should I wear?
Feel free to wear loose-fitting or athletic clothing, whatever is most comfortable for you. Don’t forget comfortable shoes, and avoid dresses or skirts.
If you tend to get cold in air conditioned office spaces, you can wear long pants and a sweatshirt. Also you might want to bring some cozy socks, since you will take your shoes off for the evaluation and treatments.
For our high-performance athletes, wear what you normally would in a public gym setting.
What insurance do you take?
Our healthcare system in the U.S. has changed over the last few years, limiting the quality care that each person receives. “In-network” clinicians are now needing to see 2-3 patients per hour, which requires assistants or PT aides to perform actual patient care. Most of this time is spent using modalities such as hot packs or on recumbent bikes for up to a total 15-30 minutes. This leaves most patient’s with less than 20 minutes of true 1-on-1 care.
At Parr PT, we provide you the highest level of care, and we do NOT depend on insurance companies to control the kind of care you receive. Without the distraction from multiple patients, each client is able to be seen with full undivided attention for 30 or 60 minutes. A detailed and extensive home program is also provided at no additional cost.
PARR PT is a fee-for-service clinic that is not in-network with any insurances. All of our patients do have insurance so we are able to provide receipts or “superbills” that include the necessary codes to send self-claims to your insurance company. PARR PT does not accept the following insurances: medicare or medicaid. If you would prefer to submit for insurance reimbursement, an invoice will be provided after each session with the appropriate information and codes to do so.
What is PARR PT?
PARR PT stands for Performance and restorative rehab. We specialize in treating athletes and those with complex conditions associated with genetic, neurological, and other chronic illness’. Our focus is on restoring the fundamentals necessary for optimal body function and performance. This includes not only strength and stability but autonomic, vestibular, and GI. Or the “3 systems”. We believe that the key to recovery, is to focus on the small things that make a big difference. Restoring the mind body connection, building fundamentals, and improving function and performance. We specialize in:
- “3-Systems” Certified Clinicians
- Myokinesthetics
- Vestibular Rehabilitation through Amedisys-Balance for Life Program
- Mastery Certification in Manual Techniques (MCMT) including myofascial techniques
- Microcurrent Point Stimulation
- Barral Institute Visceral Manipulation
- Certified Brain Injury Specialist
- Exercises Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine
- NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
- Certified Level 2 Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)
What makes PARR PT unique?
PARR PT has over 12-years experience treating complex genetic, neurological, orthopedic, and other chronic illnesses. We believe that each person is unique and different, therefore, we do not use protocols as means for treatment programs. We understand the not only the complexity of the primary diagnosis, but also understand the secondary diagnosis’ that often come from these primary issues. Our facility is a low traffic, low volume clinic that allows for 1 on 1 hands on treatment without distractions of attending to multiple patients at a time. You have direct communication with the therapist themselves versus only communicating with a non-medical professional. We provide each client with an individualized at home movement/exercise program that is phased over the course of 2 months so that each person can go at their own pace. In addition, we provide hands on focused treatments from 30 to 60 minutes without “Watching you do exercises” unattended. We are also a small business with a small tight nitched team that are close and sole goal is to work together to improve each persons quality of life.
Can I eat or drink anything before a session?
Of course you can bring a snack or something to drink before your session starts or after we finish. However, eating or drinking during a session is not recommended.
How can I schedule an initial consultation?
Once you have watched all of our FAQ videos, you can email admin@parrpt.com or text 512-387-4096. We will need the following information: reason for inquiry, full name, contact phone number, and email address. You will also need a referral for PT sent to us by either your doctor, chiropractor, or dentist before scheduling (fax: 888-928-0937). Lastly, you will need to mention the specific location you would like to be seen and we will reach out and get you on the schedule! We are unable to begin services until we have received all these items. On average, we have a 2-3 week waiting period.
What happens if I have to cancel on short notice or can’t make it to my session on time?
At Parr PT, we value your time, and the time of all our other patients as well. Therefore, if you’re running a little late, you will unfortunately lose that time in your session and will have to pay for the full session. As many of you know, Austin traffic is pretty intense these days, so be sure to calculate that into your travel time.
Please also remember that our cancellation policy states that if you don’t cancel at least 24 hours in advance, you will have to pay the full session amount; this policy is in place so that we can flexibly accommodate all our patients’ schedules. We appreciate your understanding.
Can you treat my baby or infant?
Absolutely! Our physical therapy treatments work for people of all ages and backgrounds, and parents are very welcome to attend and even participate in their child’s treatment sessions.
How much does it cost?
To get a better quote, please fill out our online inquiry here. Provide your full name, phone number, as well as your current diagnosis. As soon as we receive your inquiry, we will reach out to you via email to answer any questions you may have regarding our PT services. Lastly, it is important to note that all of our phone and email lines are HIPPA protected.
How do the programs work? What can I expect from them?
Our programs are focused on our “3-systems”approach, which includes focus on the autonomic system, vestibular system, and the gastrointestinal system “GI”. Over 10 of years of research has shown that these specific systems play a huge role in the body’s ability to perform at optimal levels. These systems include the body’s spatial awareness, stress responses and compensation, and overall communication from the gut to brain. These fundamentals are key in getting the body to function just on a day to day basis and is required prior to incorporating more advanced exercises or movements. Once these fundamentals have been achieved, then the body is now prepared to accept new stimulus that transfers to increase stability and strength.
We provide 6 level progression to be perform at each person’s own pace over the course of 6-8 weeks. Our 1st phase focuses on building the fundamentals and reconnecting the mind to the body in order to reduce compensation, improve awareness, and regulate autonomic functioning. With this in mind, progression are much slower to allows the body to gradually get used to new stimulus, new movements, and new sensation without overloading the system causing a “fight or flight” response. This in turn leads to much faster and longer lasting results. It includes a morning routine and afternoon routine with just a few exercises that can completed in a little amount of time daily. All movements are matched with regulating the correct nerves related to the 3 systems in addition to matching the muscle groups that are associated with chronic pain and injuries. Phase 2 then applies the fundamentals from phase 1 to begin strengthening and stabilization exercises (although you will already feel stronger from the mind body connection) to transition back to more community or work-related activities or return back into a general exercise regimen.
Do you offer telehealth?
We do offer telehealth visits for wellness programs for anyone not in town or out of state that focus on general stability, strength, and injury prevention. Keep in mind, for greater results, we recommend coming to one of our facilities to get assessed by one of our specialists.
Do you offer phone consultations?
If you still have questions after having watched all of our FAQ videos, you can schedule a $30, private, 15 minute phone consultation with a physical therapist by emailing Admin@parrpt.com. Please include days and times that you are available and we will let you know our availability. Note that all other communication is done via text or email.
What is your payment policy?
All initial consultations (1st appointment) must be paid for within 48 hours of booking the appointment. Every appointment after this will be automatically billed 24 hours before each scheduled visit.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
Yes, we require a doctor’s referral before you can even book an appointment for specialized PT services with us. Each referral is valid for a year. Please email (admin@parrpt.com) of fax (888-928-0937) all doctor’s referrals.