How do I contact you to set up an appointment?
You can call at (202) 990-7177 or email us at drhope@restorehopept.com
Do you take insurance?
We are an out of network provider with all insurance companies. Payment is required at the time of service and we will provide you with all the documentation you need to an out-of-network claim to your insurance company. We recommend that you contact your insurance company in advance to inquire about your out-of-network benefits. Many of our clients get a significant reimbursement from their insurance including Aetna, Wellpoint, CareFirst BlueCross, Unitedhealth Group, BlueCross BlueShield (Fed and non-fed), GEHA, and others. Some of our clients use the Better for help getting health care reimbursement.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Yes! We do virtual treatment sessions using HIPAA compliant video for a virtual face to face visit. A typical video visit consists of education, exercise and manual therapy. In a video visit, you may learn how to practice your exercises so you can develop tools that will serve you without relying on your therapist. Here are a few tips to make your video session run smoothly:
- Wear clothes you can move around in
- Make sure you’re in a private area with some room to move around
- Make sure all browsers are up to date and you have a strong internet connection
- Be sure to use the most updated versions of your iOS and Android
Do I need a doctor’s prescription to be seen?
No. DC law allows patients to have direct access to physical therapists. This means you can see a physical therapist, even at a video visit, without a physician’s referral or prescription.
What can I expect at our first appointment?
Wear comfortable clothes you can easily move in and come 15 minutes early to check in. You and Dr. Hope will review your medical history, any questions you may have and your goals for therapy. A hands on evaluation will assess your motion, strength, musculoskeletal alignment and balance. Dr. Hope will also look for possible connective tissue restrictions throughout your body that may be affecting you. Dr. Hope will help you understand your anatomy better and the treatment techniques that are appropriate for you. She may also evaluate your pelvic floor muscles which may involve an internal pelvic exam. If you are not comfortable with an internal exam on the first visit, please let us know. Your comfort is most important to us.
What is the pelvic floor?
The “pelvic floor” is a group of muscles that provide support to the organs and control bowel and bladder function. Dysfunction, tension or weakness of these muscles can result in a variety of problems including pain with sex, incontinence or pain.
What is pelvic physical therapy?
Pelvic physical therapy is similar to other types of physical therapy because it addresses the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes your muscles, connective tissue, joints, and nerves. One major difference is that it also includes conditions related to your bladder, bowel and sexual health. Because these issues affect every aspect of your life, Restore Hope PT works with a whole person approach including your physical and psychological health. Your mental and emotional wellbeing is as important to us as your diet, exercise and daily functions. Even though pelvic PT has been historically thought of as “women’s health PT”, people of all genders can benefit from pelvic therapy. Dr. Hope treats a variety of pelvic health conditions including:
- Chronic pain (pain lasting 6 months or more)
- Low back
- Sacroiliac/Pubic symphyses
- Hip
- Tailbone/rectal
- Pain with sexual activity or pelvic examinations (including colonoscopies and prostate evaluations)
- Bladder/bowel urgency (increased urge or frequency in urination or bowel movements)
- Incontinence (loss of urine or stool with urgency or coughing, sneezing, running, jumping)
- Pelvic organ prolapse (feeling heaviness like something is falling out)
- Diastasis recti/abdominal weakness
- Pregnancy related low back, hip and pelvic pain
- Constipation
- Chronic pain syndromes (like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and other pain syndromes)
- Postsurgical health and restoration (like post-hysterectomy, c-section, post-gender reassignment surgery)
- Hypermobility syndromes
How often will I need an appointment?
Most people get a pelvic floor treatment once a week. To really determine how many sessions you’ll need we need to know your goals and consider the severity of your symptoms, the amount of time you’ve experienced these symptoms, and the commitment you have to your home exercise program. In the beginning people typically come in once or twice a week. Once you see improvements, Dr. Hope will work with you to develop a plan to reduce the frequency of your sessions.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 48 hours notice for all cancellations. Our fee for late cancellations is $100. We don’t think you should have to pay the ENTIRE session fee if you miss an appointment.
What do you charge for your sessions?
Initial Evaluation $220
Follow up visits $180