Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist in Nebraska?

Nebraska allows direct access to physical therapy, meaning you can schedule an appointment without a physician referral. Some insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement — check with your insurer prior to your first visit.

How long does knee physical therapy take?

Timeline varies by condition. Patellofemoral pain may resolve in 6–10 sessions. Meniscus injuries typically require 8–16 sessions. ACL reconstruction rehabilitation generally spans 9–12 months for safe return to sport.

Can physical therapy help me avoid knee surgery?

For many knee conditions, evidence-based physical therapy is equally or more effective than surgery. A thorough evaluation will clarify whether conservative care is appropriate for your specific diagnosis.

What is the difference between an OCS physical therapist and a general PT?

An Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) has passed a rigorous specialty examination from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, demonstrating advanced clinical knowledge in orthopedic diagnosis and treatment.

What should I expect at my first physical therapy visit at Power of Motion?

Your first appointment is a full orthopedic evaluation with Daniel Crowe, PT, DPT, OCS. We review your medical history, conduct a comprehensive examination, identify the root cause of your condition, and build an individualized treatment plan.

Lincoln, NE · Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Knee Pain & Knee Injury Rehabilitation

Expert, one-on-one physical therapy for knee conditions — from ACL tears and meniscus injuries to osteoarthritis and post-surgical recovery. Led by a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) with 13 years of experience.

IT Band Syndrome

Biomechanical analysis and targeted hip strengthening to address the root cause of lateral knee pain in runners.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Targeted hip and quad strengthening, movement retraining, and taping to resolve anterior knee pain.

Patellar Tendinopathy

Progressive loading programs grounded in tendon science to resolve "jumper's knee" and return to sport.

ACL Tear & Reconstruction

Comprehensive pre-surgical and post-surgical rehab restoring full strength, stability, and sport-specific function.

Knee Bursitis

Manual therapy and therapeutic exercise to reduce inflammation and restore pain-free movement.

Meniscus Tears

Conservative and post-operative management targeting pain reduction, swelling control, and return to activity.

Common symptoms

You may benefit from physical therapy if you are experiencing any of the following:

Pain with stairs, squatting, or kneeling

Swelling or stiffness after activity

Knee giving way or feeling unstable

Clicking, popping, or locking sensations

Pain with prolonged sitting or walking

Difficulty returning to sport or exercise

Weakness or limited range of motion

Recovering from knee surgery

Total Knee Replacement

Structured recovery programs restoring range of motion, strength, and independent function after TKR.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Evidence-based exercise and manual therapy to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and delay or avoid surgery.

Knee Pain Treatment can include

Manual therapy

Hands-on joint mobilization, soft tissue techniques, and targeted manual interventions reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and prepare your knee for progressive loading — particularly valuable for post-surgical stiffness and osteoarthritis.

Therapeutic exercise

Evidence-based exercise progressions — grounded in current orthopedic research — rebuild quadriceps, hamstring, hip, and calf strength systematically. Load is progressed carefully based on tissue healing stages and your functional response.

Neuromuscular re-education & sport return

Balance, proprioception, and movement pattern retraining are essential for preventing re-injury. Return-to-sport protocols are guided by objective criteria, not just time — ensuring you're truly ready, not just healed.

Our treatment approach

What to expect at Power of Motion

STEP 1

Comprehensive evaluation

A full orthopedic assessment of your knee, movement patterns, and functional goals — not a template, a true examination.

STEP 2

Individualized plan

A diagnosis-specific program built around your condition, your lifestyle, and your recovery timeline.

STEP 3

Hands-on, 1-on-1 care

Every session is conducted directly with your OCS-certified therapist — no aides, no hand-off, no shortcuts.

STEP 4

Return to full function

Sport-specific, work-specific, or daily-life milestones built into every phase of your program.

Nebraska allows direct access to physical therapy, meaning you can schedule an appointment without a physician referral. However, some insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes — we recommend checking with your insurer prior to your first visit.
Timeline varies significantly by condition. Patellofemoral pain or IT band syndrome may resolve in 6–10 sessions. Meniscus injuries typically require 8–16 sessions. ACL reconstruction rehabilitation generally spans 9–12 months to ensure safe return to sport. Your therapist will outline a realistic timeline during your initial evaluation.
An Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) is a physical therapist who has passed a rigorous specialty examination administered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. OCS-certified therapists demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge, skills, and experience in orthopedic diagnosis and treatment — the highest credential available in musculoskeletal physical therapy.
For many knee conditions — including mild to moderate osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, and patellofemoral pain — evidence-based physical therapy is equally or more effective than surgery. A thorough evaluation will clarify whether conservative care is an appropriate first-line approach for your specific diagnosis. We will be transparent if surgical consultation is warranted.
Your first appointment is a full orthopedic evaluation — typically 40-60 minutes. We review your medical history, conduct a comprehensive physical examination of your knee and related structures, identify the root cause of your condition, and build an individualized treatment plan with you before you leave. You will not be passed off to a technician or aide at any point.
Yes. We regularly treat competitive and recreational athletes across all ages and sports — from college athletes recovering from ACL injuries to masters runners dealing with IT band syndrome. Return-to-sport testing and sport-specific functional progressions are integrated into every athlete's program.
At Power of Motion, every session is one-on-one with your OCS-certified therapist — no aides, no shared appointments, no 15-minute check-ins while your therapist manages three other patients. You receive your therapist's full attention, expertise, and hands-on care for the entire session, every time. This model consistently produces better outcomes and a faster, safer recovery.
Yes, we do accept most insurance carriers. To name a few:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Aetna
Midlands Choice
Medica Insure
Cigna
Medicare
We are constantly working on our insurance credentialing with insurers: Please contact our office to discuss insurance and payment options. We are happy to help verify your benefits prior to your first visit so there are no surprises.

Contact Us

Power of Motion Physical Therapy — Lincoln, NE

Have a question, or ready to schedule your first visit? Reach out below, give us a call, or email Dr. Crowe directly — we'll get back to you promptly.

Phone: (402) 799-4373

Fax: (402) 275-8088
Email:info@powerofmotionpt.com
Address: 5550 S. 59th St., Suite 24, Lincoln, NE 68516