New law allows easier access to physical therapy [Video]

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – A new law cuts out the middleman for Alabama patients looking for physical therapy.

The new direct access law allows patients to seek physical therapy without a referral from a doctor.

“Our evaluations are about an hour and it’s one on one,” said Jonathan Smith, clinic manager at Southeast Health. “We get asked a lot of questions, get to know you as a person and what are your goals as a patient as you come in, and then build a plan for you.”

Patients can seek treatment for 30 days for make 11 visits, whichever is reached first. Though it may not seem like a lot of time, Southeast Health’s Rehab Services Director Anthony Eubanks said this is plenty of time to show progress, if not eliminate the pain completely.

“Typically within those eleven visits, we can get most people back to where they can take …