FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started?

We are mandated by California Law to require a physician’s prescription before you start physical therapy.  If you do not have a physician, we can refer you to an appropriate physician who can assist you with your physical therapy needs.   Once you have a prescription, you can call us to book an appointment or visit our Appointment Booking page.

If you have been previously diagnosed by a physician and want to pay cash, you do not need a physician’s prescription and may start immediately.

What happens on my first visit?

On your first visit, you will be greeted by your licensed physical therapist.  You will be asked to fill out some paperwork regarding your medical history and insurance information.  Please bring your prescription for physical therapy, operative reports, X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or nerve conduction test results related to your condition.

Your physical therapist will then perform a comprehensive evaluation to better understand your condition or injury.  Questions regarding the mechanism of injury, nature of your pain, medical history, and personal goals will be addressed.  A thorough physical exam, including range of motion, strength, flexibility, palpation and special tests, will be conducted to determine the integrity of your muscles, tendons, ligaments, movements, gait analysis, balance, proprioception, nerve tension and sensation, and joint mobility.  We emphasize the importance of educating you on your current condition, the prognosis and time frame for recovery.

Based on your physician’s diagnosis, our prognosis, and your personal goals, an individual treatment plan will be created.  Upon your first visit, you will receive manual treatment and be directed through a series of therapeutic exercises and therapeutic modalities specific to your needs.

Please bring your personal calendars to schedule future appointments.

How will I benefit from a team approach?

We recommend a team-based approach to your physical therapy needs.  A multi-therapist approach allows us to offer you broader clinical backgrounds along with different professional expertise to help you reach your goals quickly and safely.  This also ensures more flexibility with scheduling appointments.  Please be reassured that all of our physical therapists share a similar philosophy and that your present therapist puts together a plan of care that can be carried out by any of the other therapists at Core Performance Physical Therapy.

If you are only willing to work with one physical therapist, we will do our best to accommodate your request.

What type of treatments do we offer?

Please see below for the services rendered at our clinic

Myofascial Release/Soft Tissue Mobilizations/Deep Tissue Massage
Joint/Spinal Mobilizations
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
Electrical Stimulation
Pilates Training
Core Stabilization Exercises
Sport Performance Training
Balance/Gait Assessment and Training
Kinesiotaping
Posture Assessment and Training
Body Mechanics/Ergonomic Assessment and Training
Ice/Heat Therapy

Treatment programs will vary based on your condition and stage of recovery.   Treatments can be performed in a private treatment room, upon request, and prescribed exercises are completed in a gym setting using a variety of equipment, some of which are available for sale at our facility.

We believe that physical therapy can be complemented with Massage Therapy, Personal Training and Pilates Training for optimal results.  We also offer a Golf Performance Training for those who want to return to their golf game.  These complimentary disciplines will assist you with a quicker turnaround time getting you back to your prior level of function.  We encourage you to ask our front desk for more information on any of the above that might interest you.

How often will I need to attend physical therapy?

Most patients are treated two to three times per week.  The total duration of physical therapy will depend on the severity of your injury.  Your commitment to physical therapy, meaning your consistency to attend physical therapy sessions, will most likely ensure a speedy recovery.

We will assist you in setting up upcoming appointments to the best of your convenience.  Refer to our Contact page for our business hours.

How long will each appointment take?

An appointment usually lasts about 60 to 90 minutes.  During your first visit you will spend 40-45 minutes with your physical therapist.  During each subsequent visits, your physical therapist will allocate a 20 minute session for some manual therapy and assessment, while the rest of your session will be spend with a physical therapy aide working on your therapeutic exercises and modalities.

What can I do at home to assist my recovery?

We will educate you on your condition so that you have a better understanding of what you can and cannot do to provide an optimal healing process.  Body mechanics and posture are typically addressed in order to minimize the stress applied to your injured body part(s).

We will also provide you with a home exercise program containing your prescribed therapeutic exercises.  It is essential that you follow the instructions and perform the home exercises on a regular basis in order to control your symptoms and speed up your recovery.

Do you know my doctor?

We have working relationships with hundreds of physicians in the greater Orange County area.

If your doctor is not a referring physician, we will gladly meet with him or her and establish a professional relationship to ensure that your physical therapy needs are met.  We communicate with your physician’s office via email, phone, or faxed written progress notes so that they can monitor your progression.

How much will each visit cost me?

Your out-of-pocket expense will vary depending on your insurance policy.  Prescribed physical therapy is typically covered by most insurance companies.  Depending on your insurance policy, you may or may not have a co-payment for each visits.  As a courtesy to our patients, we verify your insurance policy and provide you with an estimate for each visits.  However we encourage you to also verify your policy and keep track of your visits.

What type of insurances do we accept?

We accept all Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) insurances (Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Aetna, United Health Care, etc), Medicare, and worker’s compensation.  If you were in a motor vehicle accident and require physical therapy, you may be eligible for coverage under your PPO or car insurance policy.

Just because we are not listed in your insurance company’s provider book does not mean we do not accept your insurance. Please call us to find out whether you are eligible for coverage.

In the event that you are covered, we can also inform you of what your co-payment and/or deductible would be.  Refer to our Insurance Information page for more details.

Why should I choose Core Performance Physical Therapy?

Core Physical Therapy & Performance prides itself on expert patient care and patient satisfaction.  We won’t quit until your needs are met!  Our primary focus is to provide you with 100% of our efforts in order to make your recovery a most successful one!

Our founder, Dr. John Kwon, is one of the few Board Certified Orthopedic Specialists in the country.  Dr. Kwon earned his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Western University, Master of Physical Therapy and Bachelor of Science at Loma Linda University.  He was an adjunct faculty for the department of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy at the University Southern California (USC). He has devoted his entire professional career to learning and developing treatment techniques to help his patients quickly reduce their pain and regain their function.  He is an active member in education mentoring top students in the field of Physical Therapy to clinical excellence.  His innovative treatment methods, high energy, and compassion for the wellness of his patients mark Dr. Kwon as one of the premier physical therapists in the greater Orange County area.

Dr. Kwon’s philosophy goes as such: “Every patient is entitled to a 100% recovery so that they may enjoy an active lifestyle.  It is my responsibility to educate them, encourage them, and provide them the means to a successful recovery.  Together, we can and will achieve greatness!

Simply put, Core Performance Physical Therapy’s services are incomparable!  We have the best team of physical therapists and most welcoming front office staff to make your experience a successful and enjoyable one.  We will do our best to help you reach your personal goals!