1on1 Physical Therapy Asheville: Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Do I need my doctor to refer me to physical therapy? No, referrals are not needed for most insurance plans (except Medicare). North Carolina allows direct access to physical therapy, so you can contact us directly. Just give us a text or call, and we’ll help determine if you need a referral based on your specific insurance plan.

How do I schedule my first appointment? You can call us, send a text message, or use our online appointment request form. We’ll gather some basic information about your pain or condition and help you get scheduled quickly. We typically can see new patients within a week.

Are you accepting new patients? Yes! We welcome new patients and understand that many people come to us after living with pain that has prevented them from doing activities they love. You don’t have to keep living in pain.

What to Expect

What should I bring to my first visit? Please bring your insurance card, a valid ID or driver’s license, and any relevant medical records or imaging results (X-rays, MRIs, etc.) if you have them. If you have a physician referral, bring that as well.

How long will my visit take? Your first visit will typically last close to an hour, as this includes a comprehensive evaluation. Follow-up visits are usually 45-60 minutes, allowing adequate time for hands-on treatment and exercise instruction.

What should I wear? Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that you can exercise in – similar to workout attire. Your clothing should allow easy access to the area being treated. For example, if you have knee pain, wear shorts rather than jeans.

What happens during my first appointment? Your first visit includes a detailed discussion of your medical history, current symptoms, and goals. Your physical therapist will perform a comprehensive physical examination to identify the root cause of your problem and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Treatment and Recovery 

How many visits will I need? This varies in a huge way! Treatment duration varies based on your specific condition, severity, and individual healing response. Many patients see us 2 times a week for 4-5 weeks then taper down to 1 time a week for 4-5 weeks, but some conditions may require more or less time. We’ll discuss your expected treatment timeline during your evaluation.

What types of treatments do you offer? We specialize in hands-on, individualized treatments including:

• dry needling
• myofascial release
• joint mobilization
• spine manipulation
• mobility analysis
• therapeutic exercises
• movement re-education

Each treatment plan is customized to your specific needs without being limited by corporate policies. Review our physical therapy services page or give us a call and we can discuss your personalized treatment. 

Will physical therapy hurt? While some discomfort during treatment is normal as we work to restore movement and function, we’ll never push you beyond what you can tolerate. Communication is key – always let us know your pain levels so we can adjust treatment accordingly.

Can physical therapy help me avoid surgery? Many patients successfully avoid surgery through physical therapy. Research shows that for many conditions, PT can be as effective as surgical interventions. We’ve helped countless patients avoid surgeries they thought were inevitable, but outcomes vary by individual and condition.

I’ve tried physical therapy before, and it didn’t work. What would be different here? Every clinic operates differently. At 1on1 Physical Therapy, we focus on individualized, one-on-one care with adequate time for proper evaluation and treatment. We look at your whole body to find the root cause of your pain, not just treat symptoms. Our personalized approach may be exactly what you need. Check out our reviews to see what others are saying!

Insurance and Costs

Do you accept my insurance? We accept most major insurance plans. Call us at your convenience, and we can verify your specific coverage and explain your benefits before your first visit. We’ll also provide you with written information about your financial responsibility.

How much will physical therapy cost? Costs depend on your insurance plan. With insurance, most patients pay a copay of $10-50 per hour. Without insurance, $120 for the first session which is an evaluation, and then $98 per hour for each additional one on one physical therapy session. We’ll verify your benefits and explain all costs upfront – no surprises.

What if I don’t have insurance? We offer competitive self-pay rates and can discuss payment options. Many patients find that investing in physical therapy is more cost-effective than ongoing pain medications or eventually needing surgery.

Do you charge facility fees? No, we do not add extra facility fees like some hospital-based clinics do. Our pricing is straightforward and transparent.

Conditions We Treat

What conditions do you treat? We treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions including:

• back and neck pain
• joint pain
• sports injuries
• post-surgical rehabilitation
• headaches
• arthritis
• work-related injuries
• balance problems
• chronic pain conditions

Each treatment plan is customized to the specific needs of your condition without being limited by corporate policies. Review our physical therapy services page that highlights some of the conditions we treat and the services we provide, or give us a call and we can discuss your specific condition, goals, and a personalized treatment plan. 

Do you treat sports injuries? Yes, we have experience treating athletes of all levels, from weekend warriors to competitive athletes. We focus on not just getting you back to your sport, but preventing future injuries.

Can you help with chronic pain? Absolutely. We specialize in finding and treating the root cause of chronic pain rather than just managing symptoms. Many of our patients have found relief from long-standing pain issues.

Scheduling and Policies

How soon can I be seen? Despite increased demand we can still generally get you in within 48 hours. 

What is your cancellation policy? We have a 24 hour $50 late cancellation fee to allow us to stay in business with the high level of physical therapy care, treating one on one for 1 hour. 

Can I request a specific therapist? Yes, if you have a preference for a particular therapist, we’ll do our best to accommodate your request based on scheduling availability.

Do you offer evening or weekend appointments? We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate working professionals and busy families. Please ask about our current availability for evenings and weekends.

About Our Approach

What makes 1on1 Physical Therapy different? True to our name, we provide genuine one-on-one care – you get one full hour of hands-on, individualized treatment with the same physical therapist throughout your care. As a private, therapist-owned practice, we aren’t limited by corporate policies when developing your treatment program. We are patient-focused, not volume-focused, which means you receive the dedicated attention you deserve.

What education do your physical therapists have? Our physical therapists, including Dr. Ryan Fenton and Dr. Alex Shwahna, hold doctorate degrees in physical therapy (DPT). Dr. Ryan Fenton founded 1on1 Physical Therapy to provide individualized, evidence-based care, and Dr. Alex Shwahna brings deep community ties to Asheville along with extensive expertise. All our therapists are licensed by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

Do you use evidence-based treatments? Yes, all our treatments are based on current research evidence and proven techniques. We stay up-to-date with the latest advances in physical therapy to provide you with the most effective care.

Additional Services

Do you offer home exercise programs? Yes, we provide customized home exercise programs to complement your in-clinic treatment and help maintain your progress between visits.

Can you help with injury prevention? Absolutely. We provide education and strategies to help prevent future injuries and maintain your long-term health and wellness.er

Do you work with employers for workplace injuries? Yes, we work with employers and workers’ compensation cases to help employees recover from work-related injuries and return to their jobs safely.

Do you offer ergonomic assessments? We can provide guidance on workplace ergonomics and body mechanics to help prevent injury and improve comfort during daily activities.

Contact and Communication

How can I contact you to get started? You can call us at (828) 785-8388, send us a text message, or use our online contact form. 

Do you provide progress reports? Yes, we can provide progress reports to your physician or other healthcare providers as needed, and we’ll keep you informed about your progress throughout your treatment.