Frequently Asked Questions
What to Know Before Starting Physical Therapy
At Ascend Physical Therapy in Hendersonville, TN, we know you may have questions before starting your recovery journey. Below, you’ll find answers to our most common questions about physical therapy, what to expect at your first visit, and how our team helps you move and feel better.
Q: Do I need a referral to start physical therapy?
A: Nope. Tennessee allows direct access to physical therapy, which means you don’t need to jump through hoops or beg your doctor for a permission slip. You’re an adult—you’re allowed to seek care when you’re in pain. And lucky for you, we’re ready when you are.
Q: Do you take my insurance?
A: You can use your insurance; we just don’t bill your insurance directly. This setup lets us work for you and not for a company that’s more interested in denying your claims. The biggest difference? We have your best interest in mind. We care about getting you the results you’re looking for—not whether your insurance company feels like paying today.
Q: What’s the process to get started?
A: It all kicks off with a Discovery Call — just you and a doctor of physical therapy chatting about what’s been bugging you (back pain, shoulder tightness, your CrossFit PRs disappearing… you name it). You’ll walk away from the call with a personalized game plan — whether you decide to work with us or not.
If it’s a good fit and we both feel like we’re onto something, we’ll schedule your first evaluation. That’s where we dive in, hands-on, and start moving you forward. No fluff, no wasted time. Just solutions.
Q: What happens during the first visit?
A: Your first visit is an initial evaluation. We listen. We test. We figure out what’s going on—and more importantly, why. You’ll get one-on-one time with a Doctor of Physical Therapy and receive treatment that same day. We will build a plan around your goals, not just your symptoms.
Q: Will I be working with the same therapist each session?
A: Absolutely. Each visit, you’ll work with the same doctor every visit. You won’t work with a tech, an assistant, or a student.
Q: What techniques do you use to help with pain?
A: We use whatever your body needs—dry needling, cupping, spinal manipulation, joint mobilizations, soft tissue work, and resistance exercises. We don’t do cookie-cutter plans. We get hands-on, and we make progress fast.
Q: How long will it take to feel better?
A: Depends on how long you’ve been pushing through pain. Some people feel better after one session. Others take a few weeks. But here’s the deal: every visit builds toward actual, lasting change—not just symptom-chasing.
Q: What makes Ascend different from other clinics in Hendersonville?
A: What makes Ascend different is our concierge-level care. You won’t be in a shared space doing generic exercises while your therapist stares at a laptop. Instead, you get an individualized VIP experience—custom treatment plans, hands-on work, and one-on-one guidance every step of the way. We don’t chase symptoms—we treat the root cause and help you make progress towards the things that matter: results.
Q: What should I wear to my appointment?
A: Something you can move in. Think gym clothes or whatever makes it easy for us to stretch, test, and treat. Maybe skip the jeans or Sunday best—we’re getting to work.
Q: Can you still help if I’ve already had PT before?
A: Yes. Many our clients come to us after trying the traditional route and feeling like they didn’t get the results they were hoping for. We offer a completely different experience than the typical therapy mill—no generic plans, no bouncing between providers. Just focused, concierge-level care with a custom plan built around you and your goals.
Still have questions?
Book your free 15-minute Discovery Call to chat directly with Dr. Jacob Tomlinson and get personalized answers about your recovery options.