PHYSICAL THERAPY IN WILMINGTON, DE
Your First Visit
Everything you need to know to get started with physical therapy at The Back Clinic. No referral needed for the first 30 days*. Most insurance accepted.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment is a one-hour evaluation with a licensed physical therapist — not an aide, not an assistant. This is dedicated time for your therapist to understand your pain, your history, and your goals.
During your evaluation, your therapist will:
- Review your health history and what brought you in
- Assess your posture, movement, strength, and flexibility
- Identify the root cause of your pain — not just the symptoms
- Build a personalized treatment plan around your specific goals
- Answer every question you have about what comes next
You’ll leave your first visit with a clear understanding of what’s going on and a plan you can follow.
Before Your Visit
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
- Bring your insurance card and photo ID
- Bring any imaging (MRI, X-ray) or physician notes
- Arrive 15 minutes early for paperwork
- Plan for a full hour for your evaluation
- No physician referral needed for the first 30 days*
How Treatment Works
A typical course of treatment is 6–12 visits over several weeks. Here’s what the process looks like from start to finish.
1
Start With an Evaluation
A full hour with your PT to understand your pain, goals, and build your plan.
2
Get a Clear Plan
A personalized treatment plan tailored to your diagnosis and recovery timeline.
3
One-on-One Treatment
Every session is with your physical therapist or physical therapist assistant — focused, hands-on care.
4
A Home Plan You'll Actually Do
Exercises and strategies you can follow between visits to stay on track.
5
Progress Checkpoints
Regular reassessments to track improvement and adjust your plan as needed.
Insurance & Payment
We accept most major insurance plans and verify your benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises. If you have questions about your coverage, call us — we’ll look into it for you.
Accepted insurance includes:
- Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- Highmark / Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Aetna
- Cigna
- United Healthcare
- Highmark Health Options
- AmeriHealth Caritas
- Workers’ Compensation
- Motor Vehicle Insurance
Don’t see your plan? Call us at 302-995-2100 and we’ll check for you.
Cash Pay Rates
Initial Evaluation: $200
Follow-Up Visit: $100
We accept cash, check, and credit card. Payment is due at the time of service.
Do I Need a Referral?
Delaware is a direct access state — you can start physical therapy without a physician referral for the first 30 days*. After that, a physician prescription is required to continue.
*If you’re using Medicare, Medicaid, Motor Vehicle, Workers’ Compensation, or a plan that requires prior authorization, a physician prescription is needed from the start. Not sure? We’ll help you figure it out when you call.
Common Questions
Treatment frequency depends on your condition and goals. Most patients are seen 1–3 times per week, with each follow-up visit lasting 30–45 minutes. A typical course of treatment is 6–12 visits. Your therapist will outline the recommended schedule after your evaluation.
Your initial evaluation is a full hour. This gives your therapist time to review your history, perform a thorough physical assessment, and build a treatment plan — all in one visit. Follow-up visits are typically 30–45 minutes.
Despite the name, we treat far more than back issues. We provide physical therapy for neck pain, headaches, jaw pain (TMJ), shoulder injuries, knee and hip pain, ankle sprains, vestibular disorders, pelvic floor conditions, sports injuries, and post-surgical rehab — essentially any orthopedic or musculoskeletal condition from head to toe.
At The Back Clinic, your primary physical therapist will oversee your entire course of care, shared with a dedicated physical therapist assistant. Every session is one-on-one — you won’t be handed off to aides or rotated between multiple providers.
That’s exactly what the evaluation is for. Your therapist will assess your condition, explain what they find, and be upfront about whether PT can help. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll point you in the right direction. You can also call us at 302-995-2100 to talk through your situation before scheduling.
Yes. We have an on-site therapy pool for aquatic rehabilitation. Aquatic therapy is ideal for patients with arthritis, post-surgical recovery, chronic pain, or anyone who benefits from low-impact exercise in a supportive environment. Your therapist will recommend it if it’s a good fit for your plan.
You can schedule online any time or call us at 302-995-2100. Our team will verify your insurance and get you on the schedule — most patients can be seen within a few days.