Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
- No, you have direct access to physical therapy in the State of Maine
What kind of conditions do you treat?
- Headaches Read the research
- TMJ (jaw pain) Read the research
- Dizziness/ vertigo
- Neck pain Read the research
- Thoracic pain
- Rib pain Read the research
- Low back pain Read the research
- Sacroiliac pain Read the research
- Pelvic pain
- Shoulder injuries Read the research
- Tennis/golfers elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Basal thumb arthritis Read the research
- Hip arthritis
- Hip bursitis
- Knee arthritis Read the research
- Knee strains
- Ankle sprains
- Plantar fasciitis Read the research
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Frozen Shoulder
Why choose DOPT?
DOPT is a one stop shop of sorts for pain relief. DOPT delivers premier, highest level care. Research and empirical evidence has proven over time that the most effective treatments for pain are exercise, massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation. Research has also proven that a multi-modal approach which incorporates all of these effective treatments is superior to one treatment approach alone. When people are in pain they will go see their massage therapist, their acupuncturist, their chiropractor, and also their physical therapist. This is no longer necessary when the best of all of these different treatments can be accessed in one location - at DOPT!
At DOPT you will receive one on one care for the entire treatment session which will last 1 hour or more. At other facilities you will find that clinicians (physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists) are seeing up to 4 patients per hour.
What is an Osteopractor?
An Osteopractor is a Physical Therapist, Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic medicine that has completed an extensive, evidence-based post graduate training in manual therapy for the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular conditions of the spine and extremities. Only after completing the intensive training program consisting of Dry Needling series, Spinal Manipulation course work, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Extremity Manipulation, Differential Diagnosis and Multi-Modal Management, as well as passing strict written, practical and oral exams, will the clinician earn the Diploma in Osteopractic and be able to call themselves an Osteopractor.
What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
While both dry needling and acupuncture use needles to penetrate the skin in order to achieve pain relief, acupuncture employs a philosophy of Eastern Medicine, where dry needling is a more modern approach that uses an impairment-based system to treat neuromusculoskeletal injury. Common injuries treated with dry needling include neck pain, headaches, shoulder impingement, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, knee pain, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and back pain.
Is joint manipulation provided by a physical therapist different from a chiropractor?
Spinal and extremity manipulation is a treatment technique used by many practitioners including osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, and physical therapists.
Do you accept my insurance?
DOPT is an out-of-network provider for all commercial insurance companies.