Each session usually lasts between 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your injury.

Please arrive in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that allow the therapist to easily access the treatment area. Comfortable shoes, like tennis shoes, are also recommended.

You can receive treatment for up to 60 days with our certified direct access therapists. After that, a physician's prescription is legally required for further treatment.

Please bring a photo ID, insurance card, doctor’s prescription (and/or PCP referral if required by your insurance), and any relevant reports such as MRIs or X-rays.

For billing inquiries or insurance questions, please contact our Billing Department at 410-970-8180 or email us at billing@active-physicaltherapy.com.

During your initial visit, a licensed physical therapist will evaluate you, asking questions and taking measurements. Based on this evaluation, your therapist will create a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs.

Whether to use ice or heat depends on the type of injury and how long ago it occurred. Ice is best for reducing pain and inflammation within the first 48 hours after an injury. Heat helps relieve joint stiffness and muscle aches and is useful for chronic conditions. Both modalities have their benefits for different types of injuries. Consult with your physical therapist or physician to determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition.

Warming up and stretching muscle tissue before physical activity is important. Aim to stretch each muscle for 30 seconds with 3 repetitions, ensuring you hold each stretch for the full 30 seconds. Stretching after physical activity is also beneficial when the muscles are warmed up.

Tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments connect bones to other bones.

A strain refers to an injury to a muscle or its tendon, usually from overuse or stress. A sprain involves injury to a ligament.

Aquatherapy is effective for various injuries, particularly lower extremity issues that require reduced weight-bearing. This includes conditions such as joint replacements, ligament surgeries, and sprains or strains. It is also beneficial for spinal pain, surgery recovery, and neurological conditions affecting walking or balance.

A work-conditioning program helps restore strength, endurance and tolerance needed to perform work-related tasks and requires the injured worker to come between 3-5 days per week. Based on each injured worker’s needs and specific job demands, our therapists outline a customized program that addresses the deficits and limitations of the injured worker.

Dry needling, also known as trigger point dry needling and intramuscular stimulation, is a pseudoscientific technique used by various healthcare practitioners, including physical therapists, physicians, and chiropractors, among others.

Whiplash often occurs in motor vehicle accidents when the head and spine are forcefully thrust forward and backward. This sudden movement can cause internal damage to structures such as muscles, ligaments, nerves, tendons, and bones. The rapid and violent motion of the head may result in injuries to the muscles and ligaments, a condition known as whiplash.

Muscles consist of small fibers that glide over each other to create contractions. These fibers can become injured, often due to inflammation, causing them to become entangled. This entanglement is a protective response that can lead to pain. The neck and upper back are common sites for muscle spasms because they bear significant stress from daily activities. When we experience stress, we may unconsciously elevate and round our shoulders, placing additional strain on these already stressed tissues.

Tendonitis occurs when tendons, which are the connective tissues linking muscles to bones, become injured due to micro-trauma or specific injuries. Tendons enable muscles to move bones at a joint. When these tendons are damaged, pain and swelling can result, a condition known as tendonitis.

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder and scapula. These muscles are responsible for rotating the humerus (the upper arm bone) and helping to lower the humerus within the joint, allowing for arm abduction (moving the arm away from the body). The four muscles of the rotator cuff are the Subscapularis, Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, and Teres Minor.

The elbow consists of medial and lateral components, affecting wrist flexors and extensors. The lateral epicondyle, located on the outside of the elbow, is where the wrist extensor muscles attach to help lift the wrist. Irritation of the tendons at this site is known as lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow. The medial epicondyle, located on the inside of the elbow, is where the wrist flexors attach which are muscles that help lower the wrist. Tendon irritation at this site is referred to as medial epicondylitis, or golfer's elbow.

A brace or support for elbow tendonitis helps to adjust the leverage on the forearm muscles and reduce strain on the elbow. The brace, often made of various fabrics and secured with Velcro, is worn just below the elbow bones. It is also sometimes recommended for specific forearm injuries to aid in recovery.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve, which runs through a tunnel created by the bones, ligaments, and muscles of the wrist, becomes compressed. This compression often leads to inflammation of the tendons and nerves, which causes the symptoms of CTS. Engaging in a wrist and hand strengthening program can also help reduce the risk of tendon injuries and manage symptoms.

The knee joint is supported by various internal and external structures. Externally, it is supported by capsular tissue and collateral ligaments that stabilize the knee from the sides. Internally, the knee is supported by the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) plays a crucial role in preventing the femur (thigh bone) from sliding backward on the tibia (shin bone). This function is vital for activities that involve running and quick directional changes. A backward movement of the femur on the tibia, particularly during trauma, can lead to an ACL tear. Sports like soccer, basketball, and football are common causes of such injuries.

The knee joint is made up of several internal and external joint support structures. The external structures include capsular tissue and collateral ligaments (ligaments that support the knee from the sides). Internal joint supports are also ligamentous which are composed of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL prevents the femur (upper leg bone) from moving backward on the tibia. This is extremely important in activities that require running and cutting. If the femur moves backward on the tibia in a traumatic fashion, then a tear is possible. Sports such as soccer, basketball, and football are leading activities for such an injury.

The knee joint takes on a fair amount of stress in everyday life. Going up and down stairs, walking, jogging, running and jumping are activities that further stress the knee. We usually face these activities on a daily basis. Over time, with activity and age factors, the knee can wear down. From a structural standpoint, your knee will not completely break down but small amounts of wear and tear may become noticeable, beginning with mild arthritis. As pressure increases on the tissue, more cartilage frays and further injury to the bone may take place. When the bone becomes more involved, the pain usually increases. It is when the pain becomes function limiting and less bearable during daily activities that a surgery may be necessary. The surgery type will be decided by you and your physician.