October 2026 Newsletter
Physical Therapy: A Cost-Effective Solution for Your Pain
Main Article
Navigating healthcare is no easy feat. Insurance complicates matters, meaning you have to research provider networks and other requirements. It’s often unclear what insurance covers and what it doesn’t, so you may wind up with an unexpected bill three months after your appointment. And that’s not even getting into the issue of medication access!
We get it. That’s why we believe you should have clear information about your care, your options, and what you can do to make progress. It’s also why we want to make sure you know just how effective physical therapy can be at helping you reduce costs, particularly when it comes to pain management.
Consider the typical path many people experience when trying to address pain:
- You injure yourself and make an appointment with your primary care physician, as your insurance may require a referral before seeing another provider.
- They refer you to a specialist, and you may have to wait for an appointment— who can’t see you for a month. In the meantime, you’re still dealing with pain and limitations.
- The specialist may recommend medication, imaging, or other treatment options depending on your condition.
- You’re still in pain!
At McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, our approach is centered on you. We take the time to listen, evaluate your problem, and determine what is limiting you so we can match treatment to your specific needs. If you’re struggling with musculoskeletal pain, you can skip most, if not all, of these steps by scheduling an appointment at our clinic first.
Furthermore, physical therapy is a cost-effective treatment option, so we can also help you save money in the long term.
Want more information? Our friendly staff will be happy to walk you through it!
The Savings Ledger
Five Reasons Why Physical Therapy Can Save You Money
- We take the time to evaluate. At McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, a thorough evaluation is central to how we provide care. We listen to your concerns and assess your movement, strength, mobility, balance, and function. Our McKenzie approach helps us determine what is wrong or what is limiting you, so we can prescribe the right treatment based on what we find and how you respond.
- We aim to treat the cause of your pain. Those in-depth assessments we love have another benefit: they help us look beyond your symptoms and identify the factors that may be contributing to your problem. We will individualize your care based on your evaluation, goals, and response to treatment — saving money in the long run.
- We offer preventative techniques. Many musculoskeletal injuries develop over time due to repetitive motions, awkward postures, or a sedentary lifestyle. If you don’t address those background causes, you’ll likely injure yourself again. In addition to addressing your current problem, we’ll provide personalized techniques for preventing new ones.
- We can help you avoid drug medications. Even setting aside potential side effects, pharmaceuticals are expensive! We offer drug-free pain management techniques such as manual therapy and therapeutic exercise that can provide both immediate and long-term relief.
- We can help you avoid surgery. Orthopedic surgery is expensive and scary. And while there are situations where it’s unavoidable, many others are not. In fact, physical therapy is a frontline treatment for conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and mild to moderate soft tissue injuries.
Physical Therapy and Health Insurance
There’s no denying physical therapy offers a wealth of benefits for those looking to save money. Unfortunately, health insurance adds another layer of complication. Insurance is generally complicated, and it doesn’t help that everyone’s plan is different.
Here are some common questions people have about physical therapy and health insurance. If yours isn’t answered, give us a call!
Do I need a doctor’s referral to access physical therapy?
It depends on your insurance plan and the requirements that apply to your care. You can also skip the process by utilizing our cash-based services. Our staff can help you understand your options.
What are cash-based services?
Physical therapy services in which you pay cash without using health insurance. For many patients, cash-based physical therapy saves money in the long term, as we can provide more in-depth care and are not bound by insurance restrictions.
But you do take insurance if I need it, right?
Of course! You can see a complete list of providers on our website. Our staff is also happy to help you understand your benefits and other requirements that may affect your physical therapy care.
Don’t Let Healthcare Costs Get You Down
The team at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy wants to help you live a healthy, active lifestyle — no matter your budget. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
Get Started With PT Now!
Return to McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
Enjoy This Seasonal Healthy Recipe!
Spicy Creamy Mushroom Udon
For a spicy, satisfying meal, you have to try this Japanese-Korean fusion bowl! It features udon noodles tossed in a rich, creamy Gochujang Mushroom Sauce and is topped with the crispiest herb-butter-fried oyster mushrooms.
Ingredients
For the Crispy Oyster Mushrooms:
- 6 oz (170 g) oyster mushrooms, torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Creamy Spicy Mushroom Udon:
- 2 packs udon noodles (fresh or frozen, about 14–16 oz / 400–450 g total)
- 5-6 fresh shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ – 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste), adjusting to your spice preference
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ – ½ cup water or chicken/vegetable broth, as needed
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- Make the crispy mushrooms: Heat the butter and oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the oyster mushrooms and thyme, season lightly with salt and black pepper, and pan-fry for 4–5 minutes. Stir occasionally until they are golden brown and crispy around the edges. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Build the sauce: In the same pan, add the chopped shallot, minced garlic, and sliced shiitake mushrooms. Sauté over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, until the shallots soften and the mushrooms turn lightly golden.
- Make it creamy and spicy: Add the gochujang and stir for about 30 seconds to toast the paste. Pour in the heavy cream and ¼ cup of your water or broth. Mix until the gochujang is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the udon: Place the udon noodles directly into the sauce. Turn the heat up to high and cook for 2–3 minutes, tossing constantly until the noodles separate and are completely coated in the creamy sauce. (Note: If the sauce becomes too thick, add another splash of water or broth.)
- Garnish and serve: Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and black pepper if needed. Divide the noodles between two bowls and top generously with the crispy oyster mushrooms and sliced green onions.
Insurance 101
Insurance Terms Explained: A Quick Primer
One thing we do at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy is help you better understand and make the most of your health insurance plan. We know how confusing they can be and want to ensure you have the information you need to get the care you need (for as little money as possible).
We’ve found that many people struggle with common insurance terminology, so here’s a quick primer:
- Copay: Also known as a copayment, this refers to the fixed amount of money you may have to pay before receiving healthcare services, such as an office visit (e.g., seeing a physician).
- Deductible: A deductible is a fixed amount of money you’ll need to pay out of pocket before insurance will cover your medical expenses. Some services may be covered before the deductible is met, depending on your plan. It generally resets each year.
- Coinsurance: Coinsurance refers to the percentage of the cost you split between your insurance provider, that you are responsible for paying, often after you’ve met your deductible. Your insurance plan pays the remaining covered percentage, subject to your plan’s rules.
What These Terms Mean in Practice
Mary’s insurance plan has a deductible of $1500, 80/20 coinsurance, and a doctor’s copay of $10.
- Any time Mary visits her doctor, regardless of whether or not her deductible has been met, her plan requires she pays $10.
- However, she has to pay for other services 100% out-of-pocket until she meets her $1500 deductible.
- At that point, any additional services are split between Mary and her insurance: she pays 20% of costs, and they pay 80%.
- When the new year rolls over, Mary’s deductible resets.
We know it can be confusing. If you have any questions about how your insurance impacts your access to physical therapy we’re here to help!
Exercise of the Month
ANKLE ALPHABETS
Start by sitting up straight in a chair. Raise one leg out in front of you. Slowly write the letters of the alphabet with your foot, only moving at your ankle joint.
3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: chair)
Tip of the Month
Enjoy a Pain-Free Life This Fall
Don’t let aches and pains keep you from enjoying your favorite fall activities. Whether you’re hiking, raking leaves, or simply trying to stay active, a few smart habits can help:
- Ease into activities you haven’t done recently.
- Take breaks during longer or more demanding tasks.
- Stay active with regular movement and exercise.
- Pay attention to pain that persists or limits what you can do.
If pain is getting in your way, McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy can help. We’ll listen to your concerns, determine what is limiting you, and provide individualized care to help you improve the way you move and get back to doing what you love.
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Patient Success Story
Personalized Care.
Powerful Results.
“Rich was wonderful to work with. He constantly monitored my technique in doing the exercises. His feedback was very helpful. He gave me tips on how to relieve the muscle spasms that I now use all the time. I have more flexibility in my movements. Rich is professional and very knowledgeable and really wants you to improve. I hope I never see him again (lol), but if I need any further PT services, he will be the first I call.”
Maryann D.
Physical Therapy Patient
Refer a Friend
If you’ve experienced the outstanding care at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, why not share it with your friends? Referring them means giving them access to personalized treatment that can make a real difference in their health and well-being. Help them find a trusted healthcare partner—refer a friend to McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy today!
