Have Questions? We have answers!

What makes Sports Medicine & Training Center unique compared to other PT facilities in the area?

SMTC is the only physical therapy clinic in the St. Louis area that offers fully integrated physical therapy, performance training and wellness services under one roof.  Our physical therapists, exercise physiologists and fitness trainers work hand in glove to keep our clients at the top of their game. SMTC is also unique in that it houses a large dance studio and is very active in the performing arts community. We have been a locally owned small business for 20 years!

Is SMTC owned by a hospital or large corporation?

No.  The sole owners and operators of SMTC are R. Scott Van Nest, MS PT and Roberta H. Van Nest, PhD.  Scott and Robbie launched SMTC in 2002 and work in the clinic on a daily basis.  SMTC is the only independent, therapist-owned, family owned PT practice in St. Louis.

Do I need a referral or prescription for physical therapy in Missouri?

Yes. Regardless of what type of insurance you have, or even if you are self-pay, you must have a prescription from a physician, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant, podiatrist, dentist or chiropractor. In addition to a prescription, some insurances require a referral from your primary care physician. Missouri has some of the most restrictive rules in the US governing patient access to physical therapy.  Direct Access legislation has passed the Missouri House of Representatives, by a large majority, every year for the last several years but has been blocked in a Senate committee by three specific state senators.  Please feel free to contact an owner if you would like more information about the legislative process.

Can I use an FSA or HSA to pay for therapy services?

Yes.  We can process payments via most benefit cards and can also provide you with any necessary receipts or claim information as required by your benefits administrator.

Your name says 'Sports Medicine'... Do you only treat athletes, or do you treat all types of patients?

We treat all types of patients, of all ages and stages! Some of our patients are indeed elite athletes, but we provide the same high level of care to all our patients, to get them back in the game, whatever their game may be!

What insurance plans are you in-network with?

Many! Take a look at our insurance page for more information.

I am interested in fitness services at SMTC. How do I get started?

Please contact our director of training programs, Sara Cogan by calling (314) 961-3787. She will ask a few questions about your fitness level, goals, and needs, then direct you to the appropriate trainer to begin a program. She can also answer any initial questions you have about pricing and packages.

What makes SMTC different from other gyms or fitness studios in the area?

Our training program is led by Exercise Physiologists. We have a medically-based facility and our clients have access to physical therapists and comprehensive wellness programs in addition to a wide variety of training services.

What are the qualifications of your fitness professionals?

All SMTC training staff have either a Masters in Exercise Physiology or a NASM PT Certification.

What is an exercise physiologist?

An exercise physiologist is a medical professional who studies the body’s response to physical activity. They aim to help patients and clients recover from disease, surgery, or other negative health factors. Exercise physiologists have a sound understanding of how the body responds to exercise and how it can positively affect chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and more. They typically have a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or another healthcare related field, and must have a Master’s.

Are you a gym? Can I buy a membership?

While we offer many of the services that the local national franchise gyms offer, we are pretty different from them. We have excellent fitness equipment and highly qualified staff, including two exercise physiologists with master’s degrees, a level of education and experience that you won’t typically find in most gyms. We do not sell memberships. Most of our services are sold as packages or punch cards, so that you are never paying for something that you don’t use. Also, since our training services are under the same roof as our physical therapy services, our trainers and training clients have easy access to qualified medical advice which is great if you are coming back from an injury or have questions about a nagging symptom.

What is an orthotic?

An orthotic is a supportive device which is placed inside footwear, to change the mechanical function of the foot. It works dynamically during weight-bearing activities like walking, running and standing. Ideally, it should provide full, custom and corrected arch contact so that the foot works in a biomechanically correct way. To date, only Sole Supports™ manufactures full arch contact orthotics. The reason is simple: they are more difficult to make because they must actually change the way your foot works and be comfortable at the same time. Other orthotics are either just cushions or give a more generic, insufficient arch support not customized to your foot. They may feel fine but, by failing to actually correct faulty foot mechanics, will not prevent the usual painful deformities or syndromes.

What are faulty foot mechanics?

The foot is designed to un-lock, or pronate, when it hits the ground for shock absorption and to conform to variable terrain. Then it must re-stiffen (lock), or supinate, for efficient leverage as we propel ourselves forward onto the next step. When either of these phases are excessive or out-of-synch the foot has faulty mechanical function. Ninety percent or more of us over-pronate, that is, our arches flatten too much (flat feet) and do not re-stiffen enough for efficient propulsion. About four percent of us are over-supinators with high, rigid arch structure. Then the problem is poor shock absorption and weigh-bearing pressure concentrated in a few spots.

What kinds of problems result from faulty foot mechanics?

Pain and deformity can arise in the feet such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, corns, and hammertoes. Because foot function affects the entire chain of bones leading to the spine, pain and dysfunction in the knee, hip and low back often result as well. In all there are over thirty common diagnoses related to poor foot function.

Can problems be prevented or corrected with the use of Sole Supports?

Yes. If the problem is caught early enough, pain and deformity can often be prevented. Regular use of these unique orthotics can often reverse deformity development or, at least, prevent surgery. How? Because when you restore normal function you give your body what it needs to heal itself. Your other necessary treatments or therapies are more effective and last longer, too.

How long will it take for my symptoms to go away?

That will depend on how advance the condition is, flexibility of the deformity if one is present, age and general health. For most people, significant relief is experienced within weeks of regular use; at most, it may take a few months.

Where are you located? Is it easy to get to? Is there convenient parking?

We are located in Watson Plaza, just west of Sappington Road in Crestwood, MO. We are easily accessible from I-44 or I-270 and have a large sign visible from Watson Road. There is an ample parking lot in front of our clinic with several handicap spots.

Are you open on Saturdays?

We are open from 8am-12pm on Saturdays for training appointments and punch card clients. We do not have physical therapy hours on Saturdays.