FAQ & Answers
Do you take insurance?
No, I am not currently taking insurance, but I do accept payment through HSA/FSA. I am considered out of network for physical therapy services, but you will receive a super-bill which you may submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement, but please check with your individual insurance carrier for benefits.
If you are wanting to use insurance for rehab based services, please contact Therapydia Kona (located in the Keauhou Shopping Center) to check benefits and you may schedule an appointment with Dr. Jordan in the outpatient clinical setting. We accept HMSA (HMO/PPO/Quest), AlohaCare, UHA, and many others. We do not accept Kaiser or Tricare.
Why would I pay out of pocket for services when I could use my insurance?
Great question — and it's one worth thinking through carefully. When you pay out of pocket, you get to choose your provider, know exactly what you're paying upfront, and skip the hoops that come with insurance. In Hawaii, many plans require a referral from a primary care physician or surgeon before you can even see a physical therapist — which means weeks of waiting before you get any actual help.
With direct-pay care, you come straight to me. No referrals, no prior authorizations, no surprise bills.
Insurance-based PT also comes with real limitations that most people don't realize. Therapists in that model often have limited time to see patients with little flexibility, documentation to satisfy insurance requirements, and stretch out care over many more visits than necessary. What might take 15+ visits in a traditional outpatient clinic can often be resolved in 4–6 sessions when we can work directly, efficiently, and without restrictions.
At The Dink Lab, every session is one-on-one. I'm focused entirely on you — not on meeting insurance criteria. And the care doesn't stop when you walk off the court. Extra services such as taping, follow-up questions, workout programming, and check-ins between sessions are all part of what you pay for.
You may pay less per session with insurance — but you often end up paying more in time, visits, and frustration. Direct access care is an investment in getting better faster and staying that way.
How many sessions will I need?
Honestly, it depends — and anyone who gives you a definitive number before meeting you is guessing.
That said, most people are surprised by how few sessions they actually need with direct access care. Without the constraints of insurance-driven protocols, we can move at the pace that's right for you. Many clients see significant improvement in as few as 4–6 sessions, and some issues can be addressed in even less time when caught early.
A few things that influence how many sessions you'll need:
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How long the issue has been going on
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Whether it's a new injury or something that's been building over time
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How well you respond to the initial program
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How consistently you do the work between sessions
At your first visit, I'll give you a much clearer picture of what we're working with and what a realistic timeline looks like for your specific situation. The goal is always to get you back on the court as quickly as possible — and to give you the tools to stay there without needing to keep coming back.
What is physical therapy direct access and what does it mean?
Direct access means you can legally see a physical therapist without a referral from a doctor. However, with most insurance plans in Hawaii, you need to first visit your primary care physician, get a referral, and then wait to be seen in order to have physical therapy services covered. Direct access cuts out that middleman entirely but your insurance company might not pay for services through direct access. Yes, even if you have a PPO plan.
In Hawaii, physical therapists are licensed to evaluate and treat patients without a physician referral, which means you can reach out directly, get assessed, and start working on the problem right away — no waiting rooms, no extra co-pays, no delays.
This matters most when you're dealing with something that's keeping you off the court. The sooner you get eyes on the issue, the sooner we can address it — and the better your outcome tends to be. Early intervention almost always leads to faster recovery and fewer visits overall.
What does a group training session look like?
Classes will be capped at 3-6 participants only in order to make sure that Dr. Jordan can ensure good form and attention to all participants. We will spend 45 minutes working on both upper and lower body exercises that are specifically meant for the pickleball/tennis player. These classes are great for both beginners and advanced players wanting to prevent injuries and improve their game. Exercises will be modifiable and scalable for whatever your ability is.
What does a individual training session look like?
Dr. Jordan will take you through an examination and find your current deficits and risks for injury and address them before they become a problem. At the end of the session, she will take you through exercises to help manage your condition. Sessions will be 45-60 minutes depending on exam time. There is an option for a 4 week program development with follow ups or weekly in-person follow ups as needed.
What happens in a free consultation appointment?
During this appointment, you can discuss current injuries or issues you may be having and see if any of our programs are appropriate for you or if a referral to another practitioner (massage, acupuncture, PT, surgical, etc) is warranted. No specific treatment or programming will be provided during a free consult.
What are the most common pickleball injuries you see?
Tennis/Pickleball elbow — is one of the most common complaints. It's typically an overuse issue driven by grip mechanics, paddle choice, and repetitive wrist and forearm movement. Frequently, weakness at the shoulder causes issues down the chain.
Shoulder Rotator cuff strains and impingement — very frequent, especially in players who are serving, smashing, or reaching repeatedly without the shoulder stability to support it.
Knee — the quick direction changes and low athletic stance in pickleball put significant stress on the knees. Meniscus irritation/tears, patellar tendon issues, and ligament sprains are things I see regularly.
Ankle & Achilles Ankle sprains — awkward landings and Achilles issues from repetitive pushing off are especially common and often underestimated in terms of how long they take to fully resolve.
Lower back — rotational demands of the game combined with prolonged play can lead to lower back tightness and pain, particularly in players who don't have a strong movement foundation.
The good news is that most of these injuries are highly preventable with the right preparation — which is exactly what The Dink Lab's injury prevention programs are designed to address.
What should I bring to a session?
Pickleball/tennis shoes and a good attitude.