What to Expect at Summit Physical Therapy
Starting physical therapy shouldn’t feel confusing, rushed, or intimidating.
At Summit Physical Therapy, every visit is intentional, personalized, and designed around YOUR goals—not a generic protocol.
Whether you’re dealing with pain, recovering from an injury, or trying to perform at a higher level, here’s exactly what your experience will look like—from booking your first visit to progressing through your plan of care.
1. Book Your Appointment
Getting started is simple.
You can request an appointment online, or call or text us directly at 908-598-9009. Prefer to talk things through first? No problem—we’re happy to answer questions by phone, text, or email.
We prioritize being the right fit for your goals.
2. Before Your Visit
To keep your visit focused on care, we recommend completing your paperwork ahead of time. Come with any questions you have and a general understanding of your medical history.
Please arrive 15 minutes early so your full session time is protected.
3. Your First Appointment
60 minutes — Private, 1-on-1 Evaluation
Your first visit is a focused, high-level assessment designed to create clarity and direction from day one.
In a private treatment room, your physical therapist evaluates how you move, identifies the root cause of your issue, and—when appropriate—uses VALD strength testing to establish objective benchmarks.
You’ll leave with a clear diagnosis and a personalized, data-driven plan built around your goals, lifestyle, and performance demands.
No guesswork. No generic care. Just a clear path forward.
4. Typical Treatment Progression
Every plan of care at Summit is customized—but successful rehab follows a deliberate progression. Each phase builds on the last to create lasting results, not short-term relief.
Reduce Pain and Inflammation
Early sessions focus on calming irritated tissues while restoring efficient, pain-free movement.
Example: Joint mobilization paired with targeted exercise and guidance on daily habits to prevent flare-ups.
Restore Range of Motion
We normalize mobility at the involved area and surrounding joints, then teach you to control that range with precision.
Example: Hands-on treatment followed by mobility and controlled movement exercises.
Build Strength And CApacity
Strength is what protects your body and allows you to tolerate work, life, and sport. Loading is progressive, intentional, and data-informed.
Example: Isolated and compound strength training guided by your objective testing and movement analysis.
Dynamic/Functional Training
Rehab transitions into real-world and sport-specific movement based on your goals.
Example:
• Multi-directional work for court and field athletes
• Balance training for stability and fall prevention
• Plyometrics and running mechanics for higher-level performance
Return to What Matters.
Insurance FAQ
Q: Do you accept my insurance?
A: We are in-network with almost all insurance companies. Please call our facility at 908-598-9009 to confirm that we are in-network with your plan.
Q: How many visits will insurance pay for?
A: Each insurance plan is different. Some plans will have a cap after a certain amount of visits, some plans will authorize based on what is required for your injury/condition, and some are unlimited. There are other ways that plans can operate as well, but these are the three most common.
Q: Will insurance pay for my PT if I do not have a doctor’s prescription?
A: Nearly all insurance plans will pay for physical therapy without a prescription or seeing a physician except for Medicare and workers compensation cases. Our front office staff will gladly check your benefits to confirm your coverage. Call us at 908-598-9009.
Did you know that you could start physical therapy without seeing a doctor first?
During your evaluation, we will figure out your problems and if there are some factors that look like you should get an x-ray, MRI or that other types of Medical Care are better for you, we'll let you know as soon as possible.