Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are you located?

Core Physical Therapy is located at the Knott Health Center, 443 NE Knott Street, Portland Oregon 97212.

The house is on the north side of street between MLK Blvd. and 7th Avenue. There is off street parking and a mechanical lift for individuals using assistive ambulatory devices and wheelchairs. Please wait for Kellie in the waiting room where water and tea service is provided.

2. How much time should I allow for my appointment?

Each appointment is one hour long with direct care from Kellie. You can download your intake forms directly from the web site and complete them before you arrive.

If you prefer you can complete your paperwork in the office, please allow 15-20 minutes to complete the forms.

3. Do you bill insurance?

Yes. Core Physical Therapy bills insurance directly as a service for you. Your insurance plan will have individual contract agreements with you that you are fiscally responsible for. Core Physical Therapy can assist you in navigating through the details of your individual contract with your insurance company.

In addition, Core Physical Therapy is aware of the increase of clients with under-insurance and high deductibles. Due to the rise of these conditions Core Physical Therapy maintains a reduced fee schedule, and also has a discounted self-pay rate available for those who pay out of pocket at the time of service.

Core Physical Therapy is an in-network physical therapy clinic for some insurance companies. Call Core Physical Therapy for more detailed information.

4. Do I need a doctor's referral?

Kellie has “Direct Access” which means she may legally see you for 60 days without a doctor’s referral. If through the evaluation it is found that your injury may be co-related to a systemic condition she will make the appropriate referral to a medical provider as indicated.

You may schedule an initial evaluation without a doctors referral in most cases. Kellie forwards this documentation to your health provider and insurance company for referral purposes.

5. What do I need to bring to the appointment?

Please wear comfortable and loose fitting clothing both for the evaluation and for subsequent treatment. Avoid jeans and underwire bras.

If you have a low back injury or injury to the legs, please bring shorts or loose pants for comfort.

If you have a shoulder injury, a yoga style of bra or top may be most comfortable to you.

6. How long will I need physical therapy?

Each injury is unique and heals at a different rate depending on the type of injury, date of injury, specific tissue involved and other situational circumstances such as rest, nutrition, hormonal metabolism, and stress.

Generally you can expect a reduction in your pain within 1-3 visits and more long-term tissue healing over 6-8 visits on average. A program will be provided that you can perform in the comfort of your home, studio, or gym to facilitate long-term tissue healing and to prevent a reoccurrence of your injury.

7. What is fascial counterstrain?

Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) is a gentle, advanced and highly effective manual therapy technique capable of reducing pain and spasm throughout the body. As an indirect manual therapy, it relies on placing patients into positions of comfort and ease, reducing tension in the fascia with long-term results. There is no pain with FCS and it treats health conditions that often do not resolve with other conventional and alternative therapies.

You can read more about fascial counterstrain on our services page.

8. What is individualized exercise prescription?

Individualized exercise prescription is an exercise program that is dosed specifically for the tissue involved in your injury and your health goals.

This exercise program is pain-free and can be used to reduce pain, as well as improve endurance, strength, range of motion, coordination, loading capability, and circulation.

The key to long term healing and achievement of your health goals is a program that is individually tailored for your unique health goal or injury.

9. Why is it important to have a tissue specific musculoskeletal examination?

A tissue specific musculoskeletal examination is important because an accurate diagnosis of what is wrong allows your program to be precise to your injury and health goal.

Each tissue heals at a different rate and with a unique optimal stimulus for repair. For example, bone, cartilage, muscles, ligaments and nerves each require a unique stimulus for healing and repair. Identifying your specific tissue injury allows your physical therapy program to be specific for your health needs.

An accurate tissue diagnosis also allows your treatment program to be precise so you achieve your health goals in a timely manner and to minimize the risk for reoccurrence.

10. What is visceral manipulation?

Visceral manipulation is the gentle hands on release of the connective tissue and fascia of and around an organ. For example, a right frozen shoulder may be related to hormonal metabolism and changes in the viscera such as the liver or gall bladder.

Back pain and other skeletal pain can also be related to the viscera; for example if the intestines or colon are involved you may experience pain or tightness to the mid and low back. Kellie is trained in visceral manipulation through the Barral Institute founded by French Osteopathic Physician Jean-Pierre Barral.

11. What is orthopedic manual therapy?

Orthopedic manual therapy is a post-graduate clinical residency program and entails the study and education involving diagnosis and treatment of the skeletal system with hands on (manual techniques). Kellie’s degrees and training were received through a European program called the Ola Grimsby Institute. www. Much of the philosophy, research, and techniques are founded in the study of osteopathic medicine, although Kellie is not an osteopathic physician. This training entails 4 years of post-graduate education and totaled approximately hours. ( ) Link

In addition to her biology and physical therapy degrees through the University of Delaware, Kellie also has a Masters degree in orthopedic manual therapy received in 1989.

She has completed her written and practical examinations for her doctorate degree in orthopedic manual therapy in 1998. She will receive this degree upon completion of her clinical research.

12. Are you qualified and trained to perform manipulation?

While some physical therapists are not traditionally trained in spinal manipulation Kellie has received two post-graduate degrees in orthopedic manual therapy. This training including specific training in osseous mobilization and manipulation.

While Kellie is trained in these techniques her osseous techniques are often low-grade in velocity and tissue range for pain control and reduction of muscle tone. She also incorporates other techniques such as fascial counterstain, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, scar release, and visceral manipulation depending on what would most assist your recovery.

13. How does hormonal metabolism affect my connective tissue?

Hormonal metabolism is directly related to the connective tissue. If can affect qualities such as strength, inflammation, loading capability, and endurance to name a few. Kellie specializes in working with clients who have pain and injury related to conditions such as perimenopause, menopause, estrogen congestion, post-partum, thyroid/immune conditions, and hormonal changes due to environmental toxicity. She works closely with other medical providers when these conditions are present to best assist her clients in their healing process.

Photo courtesy of Destin Ferdun