+ Where are you located?

Core Physical Therapy is located at the Knott Health Center 443 NE Knott Street, Portland Oregon 97212.

The house is on the north side of street between MLK Blvd. and 7th Avenue. There is off street parking and a mechanical lift for individuals using assistive ambulatory devices and wheelchairs. Please wait for Kellie in the waiting room where water and tea service is provided.

If you are an individual without the ability to navigate stairs, or are using assistive ambulatory devices or a wheel chair, please notify us before your first visit.

+ How much time should I allow for my appointment?

Each appointment is one hour long with direct care from your physical therapist, except for the initial evaluation with Kellie Barnes which is 90 minutes. The initial visit includes history intake, assessment, and some FCS treatment.

You can download your intake forms directly from the web site and complete them before you arrive. If you prefer you can complete your paperwork in the office, please allow 15-20 minutes to complete the forms.

+ Do you bill insurance?

Core Physical Therapy (CPT) does not bill insurance directly. CPT is an out of network provider unless there is a motor vehicle accident with a personal injury protection (PIP) claim, or a worker's compensation claim. In these cases, Core Physical Therapy can bill your insurance directly.

As a courtesy to clients coming to Core Physical Therapy, CPT will assist with pre-authorization for eligible out of network benefits and provides digital Superbills. Superbills will include all necessary coding for ease of self-submission to your insurance carrier.

Please note Core Physical Therapy is a non-participating provider for Medicare and Medicaid. Superbills will not be provided for clients who are insured by Medicare or Medicaid.

Your insurance plan will have individual contract agreements with you as a member that determines your eligibility for reimbursement.

Please email kellieb@corehealingpt.com for more detailed information.

+ What if I need to cancel or I miss my appointment?

If you need to cancel your appointment, please provide 48 hours notice by contacting our receptionist. Our no show/late cancellation fee is $100

+ Do I need a doctor's referral?

The Physical Therapists working at Core Physical Therapy have “Direct Access” which means they may see you for 60 days without a doctor’s referral. If through the evaluation it is found that your injury may be co-related to a systemic condition, or that you can benefit from a referral, your physical therapists will make the appropriate referrals to a medical provider as indicated. Core Physical Therapy works with many diverse physicians and healthcare providers to best support your health and wellness.

You may schedule an initial evaluation without a doctor’s referral in most cases. The therapists will forward your initial evaluation to your healthcare providers to assist in communication and collaborative care. This initial evaluation, when signed by your physician, also serves as a referral.

+ What do I need to wear to the appointment?

Please wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing both for the evaluation and for subsequent treatment. Avoid jeans, underwire bras, hoodies, and tank tops. Cotton long sleeve shirts or thin sweaters work well for Fascial Counterstrain.

If you have a low back injury or injury to the legs, please bring shorts or loose pants for comfort.

If you have a shoulder injury, a yoga style of bra or top may be most comfortable to you.

+ Can I wear perfume?

Core Physical Therapy is a perfume free clinic due to allergies and immune sensitivities that many of our clients have. Please refrain from wearing perfumes, cologne, and deodorants that have scents. Please also avoid laundry soaps with scents or chemicals and dryer sheets.

It is also helpful to not use shampoos or conditioners the day of a treatment.

If you have a cat at home, please wear clothing without cat dander. Some of our clients, have clinic clothing they keep in a separate bag to avoid cat dander.

We appreciate your understanding as many of our clients have immune sensitivities to these products.

+ How long will I need physical therapy?

Each injury is unique and heals at a different rate depending on the type of injury, date of injury, specific tissue involved and other situational circumstances such as rest, nutrition, hormonal metabolism, and stress.

Generally you can expect a reduction in your pain within 1-3 visits and more long-term tissue healing over 6-8 visits on average. A program will be provided that you can perform in the comfort of your home, studio, or gym to facilitate long-term tissue healing and to prevent a reoccurrence of your injury.

+ What is Fascial Counterstrain?

Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) is a gentle, advanced and highly effective manual therapy technique capable of reducing pain and spasm throughout the body. As an indirect manual therapy, it relies on placing patients into positions of comfort and ease, reducing tension in the fascia with long-term results. There is no pain with FCS and it treats health conditions that often do not resolve with other conventional and alternative therapies.

You can read more about fascial counterstrain on our services page.

+ What is individualized exercise prescription?

Individualized exercise prescription is an exercise program that is dosed specifically for the tissue involved in your injury and your health goals.

This exercise program is pain-free and can be used to reduce pain, as well as improve endurance, strength, range of motion, coordination, loading capability, and circulation.

The key to long term healing and achievement of your health goals is a program that is individually tailored for your unique health goal or injury.

+ Why is it important to have a tissue specific musculoskeletal examination?

A tissue specific musculoskeletal examination is important because an accurate diagnosis of what is wrong allows your program to be precise to your injury and health goal.

Each tissue heals at a different rate and with a unique optimal stimulus for repair. For example, bone, cartilage, muscles, ligaments and nerves each require a unique stimulus for healing and repair. Identifying your specific tissue injury allows your physical therapy program to be specific for your health needs.

An accurate tissue diagnosis also allows your treatment program to be precise so you achieve your health goals in a timely manner and to minimize the risk for reoccurrence.

+ What is visceral manipulation?

Visceral manipulation is the gentle hands on release of the connective tissue and fascia of and around an organ. For example, a right frozen shoulder may be related to hormonal metabolism and changes in the viscera such as the liver or gall bladder.

Back pain and other skeletal pain can also be related to the viscera; for example if the intestines or colon are involved you may experience pain or tightness to the mid and low back. Kellie is trained in visceral manipulation through the Barral Institute founded by French Osteopathic Physician Jean-Pierre Barral.

+ What is orthopedic manual therapy?

Orthopedic manual therapy is a post-graduate clinical residency program and entails the study and education involving diagnosis and treatment of the skeletal system with hands on (manual techniques). Kellie’s degrees and training were received through a European program called the Ola Grimsby Institute. Much of the philosophy, research, and techniques are founded in the study of osteopathic medicine, although Kellie is not an osteopathic physician. This training entails 4 years of post-graduate education.

In addition to her biology and physical therapy degrees through the University of Delaware, Kellie also has a Masters degree in orthopedic manual therapy received in 1989.

She has completed her written and practical examinations for her doctorate degree in orthopedic manual therapy in 1998. She will receive this degree upon completion of her clinical research.

+ Are you qualified and trained to perform spinal manipulation?

While some physical therapists are not traditionally trained in spinal manipulation Kellie has received two post-graduate degrees in orthopedic manual therapy. This training included specific training in osseous mobilization and manipulation.

Even with this training, the therapists at Core Physical Therapy often utilize osseous/periosteal techniques that are low-grade in velocity and tissue range for pain control and reduction of muscle tone. The therapists also incorporate other techniques such as Fascial Counterstain, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, scar release, and visceral manipulation depending on what would most assist your recovery.

+ How does hormonal metabolism affect my connective tissue?

Hormonal metabolism is directly related to the connective tissue. If can affect qualities such as strength, inflammation, loading capability, and endurance to name a few. Kellie specializes in working with clients who have pain and injury related to conditions such as perimenopause, menopause, estrogen congestion, post-partum, thyroid/immune conditions, and hormonal changes due to environmental toxicity. She works closely with other medical providers when these conditions are present to best assist her clients in their healing process.