Leumit’s Physical Therapy Services

Physical therapy is a field within the healthcare professions that focuses on restoring physical function, pain management, and improving mobility. Practitioners in this field are physical therapists, individuals with a bachelor's degree in physical therapy from a university and licensed by the Ministry of Health.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy encompasses various treatments aimed at rehabilitation, preservation, and optimization of the patient's motor and functional abilities. It is a research-based field that enables the treatment of various conditions resulting from diseases, injuries, congenital disabilities, and more.
Physical therapists diagnose, rehabilitate, and treat various conditions with a comprehensive and individualized assessment of each patient. This allows tailoring the treatment plan to meet the specific needs of each individual.
During treatment, physical therapists employ a wide range of diverse techniques, most of which involve hands-on methods to reduce pain and improve the patient's mobility and function. The treatment also includes exercises both in the clinic and guidance for home exercises tailored to the patient's specific condition.
The success of the treatment requires active patient involvement in the rehabilitation process.

Areas of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a broad profession that includes various specialties. Many physical therapists undergo specialized training to provide precise solutions for specific fields. Some prominent areas include:

1. Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy: Focuses on conditions involving pain or limitation in movement related to muscles, bones, and joints.
2. Neurological Physical Therapy: Addresses conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, and more.
3. Respiratory Physical Therapy: Primarily deals with respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, and others.
4. Pediatric Developmental Physical Therapy: Concentrates on children with developmental delays for various reasons, aiming to improve their motor skills.
5. Vestibular and Balance Physical Therapy: Treats issues related to balance and dizziness resulting from vestibular system disorders.
6. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Addresses conditions such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, sexual pain, and more.
7. Sports Physical Therapy: Provides rehabilitation for athletes recovering from various sports-related injuries.

These are just a few of the many fields within the realm of physical therapy. If you require physical therapy, it is advisable to consult with your treating physician or a licensed physical therapist for guidance on the appropriate treatment that may assist you.

What Happens During Physical Therapy?

During the initial meeting, an evaluation of the patient's medical condition is conducted. The physical therapist will inquire about the circumstances that led to seeking treatment and take a medical history. They will also perform physical examinations and assessments to diagnose the source of the problem.

Based on the evaluation and diagnosis, the physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to the patient's needs and treatment goals. The plan may involve various techniques, including physical exercises, manual therapy, aids, and more.
Throughout the treatment, the physical therapist will monitor the patient's progress, make necessary adjustments to the plan, and provide guidance on exercises that can be performed at home to maintain long-term results.

What You Should Know Before Starting Physical Therapy

Before beginning physical therapy, several factors can help you make the most of your treatment:

1. Ask Questions: Feel free to ask your physical therapist questions about your condition, treatment plan, expected outcomes, and any concerns you may have. Understanding the treatment process can help alleviate any apprehensions.
2. Clarify the Duration and Frequency: Understand the expected duration of the treatment plan and the frequency of sessions. Consistency and adherence to the recommended schedule are crucial for successful outcomes.
3. Wear Comfortable Clothing: It's recommended to wear comfortable, relatively loose-fitting clothing to therapy sessions, allowing for unrestricted movement. Minimal layers can help the therapist better assess your body and range of motion.
4. Feel Comfortable: Just like in any therapeutic setting, it's essential to feel comfortable with your physical therapist and trust their expertise. Your confidence in the therapist plays a vital role in the success of the treatment.
5. Remember Your Active Role: Recognize that you play an active role in your rehabilitation. Adherence to prescribed exercises and recommendations for home exercises is essential for long-term benefits.

How many physical therapy sessions am I entitled to?

The number of required treatments varies between different situations and from one individual to another, so the recommended duration of treatment is determined according to medical needs.

Treatments are provided with commitment (Form 17), and the number of treatments provided by the health fund varies according to the definitions of the healthcare basket. However, it is worth noting that members of Leumit Gold and Silver (complementary insurance) are entitled to additional treatments.

Where is physical therapy provided at Leumit?

Leumit members needing physical therapy can receive treatment at a physiotherapy institute. Some of the treatments are carried out in institutes located in Leumit's medical centers, while others are performed in external institutes under an agreement with Leumit.
The staff in Leumit's physiotherapy institutes are skilled in providing optimal treatment for various conditions, and the institutes are equipped with modern equipment, including thermal equipment, a variety of exercise equipment, VOR (virtual reality) devices, electrotherapy equipment, and more.

In special cases, treatments are provided as part of day rehabilitation and/or individual treatments in different hospitals.

Home Physical Therapy

Homebound patients may be eligible for home physical therapy. Home-based physical therapy may be required, for example, after discharge from the hospital following a surgical procedure, after a stroke, joint replacements, or functional deterioration.

Home Rehabilitation

Patients in need of rehabilitation may undergo the rehabilitation process in rehabilitation centers in the form of hospitalization or day rehabilitation. In cases where conditions allow it, treatment can be provided at the patient's home. Home rehabilitation includes a multidisciplinary team that comes to the patient's home according to a plan determined by rehabilitation doctors or geriatricians, depending on the patient's condition.

Scheduling an Appointment for Physiotherapy for Leumit Members

These are the steps required to access physiotherapy treatment:

1. Get a referral from your treating physician.
2. Schedule an appointment through the customer service center at *507.
3. Issuance of commitment through a customer service representative at the health fund's center, independently through Leumit's website or app, or by the physiotherapist at the first meeting. Leumit members benefit from flexibility and minimal bureaucracy.

What is the waiting time for physiotherapy treatment?

The expected waiting time may vary at times, but at Leumit, we strive to ensure that our insured members enjoy short waiting times for receiving physical therapy treatment.
The waiting time for cases defined as urgent (e.g., after hospitalization, surgery, or injury) is up to 3 business days.
For more information and appointment scheduling, please contact the call center at *507.