Rehabilitation FAQs
Everything you need to know about your care at the San Diego Rehabilitation Institute at Alvarado Hospital.
What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy is considered to be a conservative rehabilitation that focuses on diagnosis and treatment for healing and prevention of injuries and disabilities.
What is speech therapy?
Speech and language therapy provides treatment, support and care for those who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking or swallowing.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who need specialized assistance to lead independent, productive and satisfying lives due to physical, developmental, social or emotional problems.
If I have a referral to another facility, can it be used at the Alvarado Hospital/San Diego Rehab Institute?
Yes. A referral is for therapy services. Your doctor can recommend a facility, but patient’s have the final choice. Even if you weren’t originally treated at Alvarado Hospital, you are free to choose a rehabilitation center based on reputation, convenience and accessibility.
Who pays for physical therapy?
In most cases, your health insurance will cover your treatment. We are accept insurance from most private and government insurance plans, including worker’s compensation. If you have questions regarding your coverage, please call us at 619-229-7216 and our receptionist will be happy to assist you in obtaining that information.
Can I still receive therapy even if I don't have insurance?
Yes. In this case, we may see you as a cash-paying patient. Please call our office at 619-220-7216 for more details on rates and payment.
How long is an appointment?
Each visit will generally last 1 hour.
Will I be seen by any physical therapy aides?
We are only staffed with licensed therapists with many years of experience.
How many visits will I need?
The length of treatment is highly variable based on diagnosis, the severity of your impairments, your past medical history, insurance limitations, etc. An initial plan of care with estimated frequency and duration of treatment will be determined by your therapist at your initial evaluation. Your progress will be consistently monitored and your plan of care will be adjusted as needed. We also maintain close communication with your physician to optimize your rehabilitation outcomes.
What can I expect at each visit?
You will receive approximately 60 minutes of one-on-one treatment time with a licensed therapist. You will also perform exercises as deemed necessary by your therapist. As therapists, our goal is for our rehabilitation patients get back to living their lives through a number of different, highly advanced treatments.
What should I wear to physical therapy?
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes that allow for examination and treatment of the affected area. For example, if we are treating your knee, wear shorts. And if we are treating your shoulder, wear a tank top. Please also wear clothes that are comfortable and appropriate for gym exercises such as shorts, T-shirt and tennis shoes.
What conditions are treated?
We help patients after they have suffered a number of debilitating illnesses and injuries, including but not limited to sports related injuries, stroke, head injury/TBI, fractures, orthopedic surgeries, and amputation. We also offer rehabilitation for patients who have undergone orthopedic or spine surgery.
For more information on specific conditions and disabilities treated, click here.
How do I access rehabilitation services?
If you are interested in rehabilitation services at Alvarado Hospital, we invite you to contact us today to learn more about the programs and services we offer. We offer free parking with easy access to our rehabilitation unit.
- For outpatient care, call 619-229-7216
- Fax 619-229-7161
- Contact form
We look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve optimal rehabilitation and improving your quality of life!