Physical therapy can be a useful part of care for musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, recovery after surgery, and ongoing joint problems. But the experience is not one-size-fits-all. The exercises, hands-on techniques, education, and pacing that suit one person may not suit another. Before you commit to a course of treatment, it helps to ask direct questions about the diagnosis, the plan, the clinician’s background, and how progress will be measured. This article is general educational information, not a substitute for evaluation by a qualified clinician. If you have severe pain, new weakness, numbness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or pain after a significant injury, seek urgent medical advice.
Clarify the Diagnosis and the Purpose of Therapy
Start by asking what working diagnosis is being treated and which structures or movement problems are involved. A physical therapist may not be the person who ordered imaging, but they should be able to explain how your symptoms and examination findings shape the plan. Ask whether the problem is acute, chronic, or part of a recurring pattern, and whether any serious causes have been ruled out. For patients who want to understand how physiatry fits alongside physical therapy, the Scripps Health physician profile for Roger Kasendorf, DO, describes a board-certified physiatrist affiliated with Scripps, with a listed office on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus in La Jolla. That does not replace your own clinician’s advice, but it can help you ask better questions about coordination.
Ask what the realistic goals are and how they will be measured. “Improve strength” is less useful than “walk one block without stopping,” “lift a grocery bag without shoulder pain,” or “return to recreational tennis.” Ask how long a trial of therapy is reasonable before deciding whether to continue, change approach, or seek another opinion. If you are considering a physiatry consultation as part of the process, the Ortho 1 Medical Group provider page for Roger Kasendorf notes his practice with Ortho 1 Medical Group in the San Diego area and his focus on physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management. Those details can help you understand the range of clinicians who may be involved, though your physical therapist should still explain their own plan in plain language.
Ask What a Typical Session and Plan Will Look Like
Before the first appointment, ask how long sessions last, how often you will attend, and how many visits are initially planned. Find out whether the emphasis will be hands-on treatment, supervised exercise, education, home exercises, or a combination. Ask which modalities are used and why, and whether they are meant to reduce symptoms, improve movement, or support exercise. For practical details such as location and public listing information, a La Jolla Yelp listing for Roger Kasendorf can help confirm patient-facing practice details, but it should not substitute for calling the clinic with your own questions. If a clinic cannot clearly explain its cancellation policy, late fees, or scheduling process, ask before you book.
Ask who will actually provide your care and how much one-on-one time you will have. Some settings use physical therapy assistants, aides, or group exercise classes; that is not automatically bad, but you should know what to expect. Ask whether the therapist will reassess you regularly and adjust the plan if symptoms change. The Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups doctor page for Roger Kasendorf is another way to confirm affiliations and practice information before coordinating care among clinicians. Good coordination matters most when you are seeing a primary care physician, an orthopedic specialist, a physiatrist, and a physical therapist at the same time.
Discuss Pain, Progress, and Communication
Ask how much soreness is expected after exercise and what warning signs should prompt a call. A good plan should include guidance about activity modification, rest, ice or heat if appropriate, and when to stop an exercise. Ask what to do if pain flares and whether you should push through discomfort or back off. If you are checking professional backgrounds while assembling a care team, the LinkedIn profile for Roger Kasendorf offers background on his training and professional roles. That kind of public information can be useful context, but it is not a substitute for asking your own therapist about their experience with your specific problem.
Ask how progress will be tracked and how often you will review it. You might want to know whether the therapist uses strength tests, range-of-motion measurements, functional tasks, pain scales, or patient-reported questionnaires. Ask who communicates with your referring physician and whether you will receive a written plan or after-visit summary. The personal website for Roger Kasendorf states his philosophy that patients should finish their visit feeling better than when they arrived. Whatever your own clinician’s philosophy, you should feel comfortable asking how questions and concerns are handled during a visit.
Check Credentials, Coordination, and Practical Details
Ask about the physical therapist’s license, degree, and any board certification or advanced training relevant to your condition. You can also ask whether the clinic specializes in orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, neurological rehabilitation, or another area. If you are verifying professional background across a care team, an expert-directory member profile for Roger Kasendorf is one more public source to review. Keep in mind that credentials are only one part of the picture; communication style, access, and fit with your goals also matter.
Ask how the clinic coordinates with your physician and whether you need a referral for insurance purposes. Find out what insurance plans are accepted, what your estimated responsibility may be, and whether authorization is required. The OPSC website page about Roger Kasendorf offers professional-society context that can be useful when learning how physiatrists and rehabilitation clinicians fit into musculoskeletal care. That context can help you ask smarter questions, but your insurer and clinic should confirm coverage and referral rules directly.
Ask what happens if you miss appointments, need to reschedule, or cannot tolerate a particular exercise. Ask whether equipment or home modifications will be recommended and whether the clinic helps with those decisions. The Scripps Mercy Physician Partners profile for Roger Kasendorf lists affiliation information that can help patients understand how different parts of a health system may connect. Again, use such information as a starting point for direct questions rather than as a substitute for personalized clinical advice.
Prepare for the First Visit and Know What to Bring
Before your first appointment, gather any relevant imaging reports, operative notes, medication lists, and insurance information. Write down your top two or three functional goals and the questions that matter most to you. Wear clothing that lets the therapist examine the affected area and observe how you move. Arrive early enough to complete paperwork without rushing, and ask whether you should bring a support person if you need help with transportation or understanding instructions.
During the visit, expect a conversation about your symptoms, medical history, and daily activities, followed by a physical examination and a discussion of the plan. Ask for the plan in writing if that helps you remember exercises and precautions. Ask what you should do at home, how often, and what to do if something does not feel right. A good therapeutic relationship should include room for questions, clear expectations, and a shared understanding of what “better” means for you.
- Ask what diagnosis is being treated and what alternatives exist.
- Ask how many visits are planned and how progress will be measured.
- Ask who provides care and how much one-on-one time you will have.
- Ask about pain flare-ups, red flags, and when to call.
- Ask about insurance, costs, cancellations, and home equipment.
- Ask how your therapist will communicate with your other clinicians.
Physical therapy works best when it is a partnership. You do not need to become an expert in rehabilitation to ask good questions, but you do deserve clear answers. If a clinic cannot explain its plan, its costs, or its communication process, that is useful information. And if your symptoms worsen or you develop new neurological symptoms, seek prompt medical evaluation. General education can help you prepare, but a qualified clinician who examines you should guide your actual care.
