Frequently Asked Questions

Orthopedic Physical Therapy — Care for post-surgical patients, arthritis, tendonitis/tendinosis, fracture rehabilitation, muscle sprains and strains, neck and back pain, hip and knee problems, shoulder, elbow, and wrist conditions.

Manual Therapy — Manual therapy describes a variety of hands-on treatment techniques that are applied to movement dysfunctions. Most physical therapists incorporate manual therapy techniques as a part of a complete treatment plan. Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) uses these techniques in addition to addressing the psycho/social/emotional and thought energies that cause pain and dysfunction.

Fitness and Wellness — If you need an exercise program, have trouble with your weight, are concerned about osteoporosis, have an issue with diabetes, or you would like to learn how to prevent falls, physical therapists can help.

Lymphedema Rehabilitation — The lymph system helps filter and drain fluid from our arms and legs. When this drainage system is damaged, lymphedema is the painful swelling that can result. Special positioning, massage, and bandaging techniques are utilized by the specialist. We are one of two providers in Illinois that have the vacuodermie and pressotherapy machines to assist in lymphedema reduction.

Illinois allows patients to go directly to physical therapists. In most cases, if you are not making significant improvement within 30 days, the therapist will refer you to your physician.

Physical therapists (PTs) are licensed by their respective states.

During your first visit, you will discuss your medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals. Your physical therapist (PT) will use specialized diagnostics and techniques to assess your mobility, primary dysfunction, biomechanics, and any emotional holdings. Following the evaluation, a customized treatment plan will be discussed and created.

You should wear comfortable clothing, preferably exercise pants that have minimal seams with no zippers.

• Your insurance card
• Your prescription for physical therapy, if applicable (within 30 days of initial evaluation)
• Your completed re:fit form (click here to download physical therapy form)

While full payment is due at time of service, most health insurance will cover your treatment.

• Payment is due at time of service, and you have a choice of physical therapists at re:fit. With the exception of Gretchen Schmalz for BC/BS PPO, re:fit and its therapists are out-of-network.
• If you have BC/BS PPO, our physical therapist Gretchen Schmalz is a preferred provider. If you use Gretchen Schmalz, you will pay your co-pay to re:fit, and we will bill BC/BS PPO directly for the balance. Click here for the pt:fit Physical Therapy form.
• If you have other health insurance, you will pay re:fit in full at the time of service, and we will provide you with an invoice that you can send to your health insurance for reimbursement. We are out-of-network providers, therefore insurance companies will reimburse you at their out-of-network rate. (Exceptions are common as you navigate the process.)

NOTE: Under Illinois law, a diagnosis from a physician is required within a month of the initial evaluation if progress in therapy does not occur. Many insurance companies require a prescription for physical therapy for benefits to be paid. After your initial evaluation your therapist will send a report to your physician. If the physician approves and returns the evaluation, this is considered an active prescription.

At this time, we are not Medicare certified. This means Medicare or Medicare Supplements do not cover treatment at re:fit.

Most clients come once per week, and they know if the sessions are working after 4-6 visits (ie: improvement in pain, mobility, or range of motion). As you go through treatments, you will be re-evaluated on a monthly basis to ensure that you are meeting your goals. Re:fit can provide you with a progress report with recommendations if you need it for your doctor.

• Your insurance card
• Your prescription for physical therapy, if applicable (within 30 days of initial evaluation)
• Your completed re:fit form (click here to download physical therapy form)

While full payment is due at time of service, most health insurance will cover IMT treatment under physical therapy benefits if the diagnosis warrants physical therapy. We will provide you with an invoice that you can send to your health insurance for reimbursement. We are out-of-network providers, therefore most insurance companies will reimburse you at their out-of-network rate. (Exceptions are common as you navigate the process.)

NOTE: Under Illinois law, a diagnosis from a physician is required within a month of the initial evaluation if progress in therapy does not occur. Many insurance companies require a prescription for physical therapy for benefits to be paid. After your initial evaluation your therapist will send a report to your physician. If the physician approves and returns the evaluation, this is considered an active prescription.

At this time, we are not Medicare certified. This means Medicare or Medicare Supplements do not cover treatment at re:fit.

Most new clients can expect a session beginning on the mat or reformer, and then transitioning to another apparatus, such as the High Chair or Cadillac. Sessions may finish with standing wall exercises. Sessions generally last 50-55 minutes.

Pilates at re:fit is not about performance (how high, how big, or how beautiful). It is about executing the exercises with mindful intent to improve function and strength. Like any new practice, Pilates takes a number of sessions to “get it,” though you will immediately reap benefits simply by moving through the exercises. Your range of motion and ability to approach the ideal versions of the exercises will improve over time. The cues your instructor gives you and the equipment design itself will assist in finding the correct muscles.

Joseph Pilates said about his own exercise program, “In 10 sessions you will feel a difference; in 20 sessions you will see a difference; and in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body.” This now famous “Pilates Promise” emphasizes the value of consistent Pilates exercise. Although daily Pilates may not be practical, you can still achieve breakthrough results by establishing workout consistency, either with individual sessions or group classes. Many clients attend sessions 2-3 times per week and claim they have developed “a whole new body”!

GYROTONIC^® and Pilates exercises are each complete systems of mind-body movement. Both use equipment and mat or stool exercises, however the Gyrotonic^® method is three-dimensional and circular while Pilates is linear. With similar benefits also derived from swimming, dance, yoga, and tai chi, Gyrotonic^® exercises strengthen the body’s core muscles from the inside out. The Gyrotonic^® method develops increased functional strength and flexibility, while developing coordination, neuromuscular control, and a re-shaping of the entire body.

Absolutely! The beauty of GYROTONIC^® is that it is accessible to everyone. Since the system allows clients to sit on a stool or bench, there is a level of comfort that eases them into beneficial positions and movement. Gyrotonic^® is especially effective for those with scoliosis.

We recommend 2-3 GYROTONIC^® workouts per week. That could mean coming to the studio once per week and then doing a home Gyrotonic^® program once per week on your own. It is important to engage in the activity every 2-3 days so your body can assimilate the new movement patterns.

Yes, they have successfully completed the formal training.

Ayurveda is a 5,000 year-old Indian form of medicine and lifestyle. The root word stems from the science or study (veda) of life (ayur). Ayurveda provides guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior, and the proper use of our senses.  Ayurveda reminds us that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit.  Ayurveda offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vital while realizing their full human potential.

Doshas are fundamental energies of the human body that govern the physio-chemical and physiological activities. The dosha theory describes how the five elements in nature (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) combine to control the processes of the body and mind. There are three doshas, known as vata, pitta, and kapha.

• Vata is the energy of movement and action
• Pitta is the energy of transformation, digestion, and heat
• Kapha is the energy of stabilization, cohesion, and nourishment

The human body has a natural healing intelligence capable of constant rejuvenation. However, doshic imbalances allow toxic impurities to form, blocking the natural capacity to heal.

For each element, there is a balanced and imbalanced expression. When Vata is balanced, a person is lively and creative. When there is too much movement in the system, a person tends to experience anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, constipation, and difficulty focusing. When Pitta is functioning in a balanced manner, a person is warm, friendly, disciplined, a good leader, and a good speaker. When Pitta is out of balance, a person tends to be compulsive and irritable and may suffer from indigestion or an inflammatory condition. When Kapha is balanced, a person is sweet, supportive, and stable. When Kapha is out of balance, a person may experience sluggishness, weight gain, and sinus congestion.

Ayruveda helps determine the source of the imbalance – internal, external, or both – and helps you regain balance through proper diet, lifestyle, and routine.

Each person has a unique proportion of Vata (air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (earth). This is prakriti. Your prakriti is your body constitution. It is determined at the time of conception and does not ever change.  Your prakriti does not cause any disease, but it can help determine how to treat disease that occurs within you. It also influences what diseases you are prone to acquire.

Your prakriti also influences how outside stimuli affect your body. Have you ever wondered why a friend or sibling swears that the key to health comes from a specific herb or treatment, but when you try it, it doesn’t change your symptoms, or may even make things worse? That’s because you have different prakritis.

Know your prakriti so you can:

• Understand your disorder tendency and how your body reacts to stressful stimuli
• Understand the proper diet, herbs, and exercise appropriate for you to maintain balance
• Find the ideal place for you to live and work

By embracing Ayurveda, you will feel empowered to break unwanted habits and patterns. You will learn:

• How to adjust cooking methods, ingredients, and timing according to your needs
• Appropriate exercises for your constitution and the season

The results of your new Ayurvedic habits may include:

• The reduction of symptoms from chronic conditions (e.g. anxiety, autoimmune disorders, skin conditions, migraines, allergies, hypertension, arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome)
• Healthier and stronger bones, nails, and hair
• Glowing skin
• Balanced hormonal rhythms
• Improved sleep quality
• Improved immunity
• Improved time management skills
• More peaceful relationships

Results may be felt within days or it may take months. This will depend upon the chronicity and nature of the illness or dysfunction and on your ability to follow through on recommendations.

Ayurveda is designed to complement rather than replace conventional medical treatments. Western medicine traditionally prescribes pharmaceuticals to relieve symptoms, which can be helpful in the short term. Ayurveda treats the root causes of illness so the symptoms do not return. As a direct result of employing the principles of Ayurveda, patients often realize benefits that make a profound and positive impact on the quality of their lives within months, even if they have suffered for years.

Anyone seeking to experience better health through a balanced lifestyle would be an ideal candidate for an Ayurvedic consultation. Ayurveda takes time, energy, and commitment. Although it can be incredibly helpful on an acute basis, the ideal Ayurvedic client is seeking long-term sustainable change. Our aim is to empower our clients to put their healing back into their own hands and hearts.

Panchakarma, known as “five actions,” is designed to clear physical and energetic blockages; nourish the physical body; and access the subtle body where unproductive emotions obstruct energetic flow. The three doshas/bio-energies of vata (air), pitta (fire), and kapha (earth) are separated from tissue, moved back to their origins, then eliminated from the body. Each Panchakarma is unique, depending upon the imbalances and goals.

Feldenkrais^® is beneficial for those experiencing chronic or acute pain, as well as for healthy individuals who wish to improve physical performance. It is helpful in dealing with central nervous system conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and stroke. Many Seniors enjoy using it to retain or regain their ability to move without strain or discomfort.

Through lessons in this method you can enjoy greater ease of movement, an increased sense of vitality, and feelings of peaceful relaxation. After a session you often feel taller and lighter, breathe more freely, and find that your discomforts have eased. You experience relaxation, and feel more centered and balanced.

Feldenkrais^® is very different. Massage therapists work with muscles, while chiropractors work with bones. The Feldenkrais^® Method works with your nervous system, improving your ability to regulate and coordinate your movement. This is referred to as a functional approach to improve the use of your body taking structural considerations and limitations into account. The Feldenkrais^® Method explores non-habitual patterns of movement for optimal mobility.

Moshe Feldenkrais became one of the first Europeans to earn a black belt in Judo (1936) and to introduce Judo in the West through his teaching and books on the subject. He also studied intensively in psychology, neurophysiology, and other health-related disciplines. After suffering crippling knee injuries, Feldenkrais merged his acquired knowledge with his deep curiosity about biology, perinatal development, cybernetics, linguistics, and systems theory. He taught himself to walk again and in the process developed an extraordinary system—the Feldenkrais^® Method—for accessing the power of the central nervous system to improve human functioning.