New Patients Welcome to Synergy Therapeutic Group
Medically reviewed by Subrat Bahinipati, PT · Founder, Synergy Therapeutic Group
Becoming a new patient at Synergy Therapeutic Group is a simple, fast, and welcoming process designed to get you seen by the right clinician for your needs.
New patients in Carbondale, IL and across Southern Illinois — including Marion, Du Quoin, Herrin, Murphysboro, Carterville, Anna, and Pinckneyville — can typically be seen within the same week. The most common reasons people reach out are chronic pain, complex cases other providers could not resolve, post-surgical recovery, vertigo and balance issues, and pediatric developmental concerns.
Unlike conventional clinics that schedule 15-minute appointments and rely on aides or assistants, Synergy reserves a full hour for every new patient evaluation, one-on-one with a licensed clinician — so we can understand your full history before we touch anything.
How to become a new patient
Reaching out to us is intentionally simple. There is no complicated intake process and no paperwork to fill out at the door.
- Reach out — book online, call us at (618) 243-7822, or message us through the chat at the bottom of this page.
- Tell us a little about yourself — whether you are an adult patient or a parent seeking pediatric care, what is going on, and what you have already tried. We listen.
- We confirm your appointment — usually within the same week, often within 1-2 days for urgent cases.
- We send your paperwork by email — so you can complete it at home, on your time, before you arrive. No filling out clipboards in the waiting room.
- You arrive for your first visit — one hour, one-on-one, with a clinician who has already read your history.
What to bring to your first visit
- Photo ID and insurance card (if using insurance)
- Doctor’s referral or imaging results, if you have them — not required for Illinois patients (see Direct Access below)
- A list of current medications and supplements
- A short list of what brought you in — what hurts, what you have tried, what you are hoping to achieve
- Comfortable clothing you can move in (we may ask you to walk, bend, or do simple movements during the evaluation)
- For pediatric visits: any school evaluations, IEPs, or developmental assessments you would like us to see
Insurance, payment, and Direct Access
Synergy welcomes both insurance and cash-pay patients. We work hard to make sure cost is not the reason you cannot get the care you need.
- Insurance accepted — Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and most major commercial plans. See our insurance information page for the full list and how to verify coverage.
- Cash-based hybrid model — for services outside what insurance will cover, we offer transparent self-pay options at fair rates. This is often how patients access wellness care, longer maintenance sessions, or care for issues insurance has denied.
- Illinois Direct Access — under Illinois law, you do NOT need a doctor’s referral to begin physical therapy. You can come directly to us. See our Direct Access page for more.
- Financing — we accept CareCredit and offer payment plans for qualifying patients. See financing options.
- Workers’ compensation — accepted with appropriate documentation from your employer or carrier.
How to find us
Synergy Therapeutic Group
1110 Cedar Court
Carbondale, IL 62901
- Phone: (618) 243-7822 — call or text
- Fax: (618) 529-4560
- Email: Use our contact page for written inquiries
- Chat: Click the chat icon at the bottom of any page to talk to our team in real time
Driving directions
Our clinic is conveniently located in Carbondale, Illinois, easily accessible from I-57 and Illinois Route 13. We are about a 10-minute drive from downtown Carbondale, with same-day access for patients traveling from Marion, Du Quoin, Herrin, Murphysboro, Carterville, Anna, and Pinckneyville.
- From Marion / I-57: Take Illinois Route 13 west into Carbondale. Cedar Court is a short distance off the main route.
- From Du Quoin: Take Route 51 south into Carbondale, then connect to Illinois Route 13 east.
- From Murphysboro: Take Illinois Route 13 east into Carbondale.
- Parking: Ample free parking is available directly at our building.
- Accessibility: Our facility is single-story with ramp access. Patients using wheelchairs or assistive devices have full access throughout the clinic.
What makes Synergy different for new patients
If you have been to physical therapy or occupational therapy before, your experience here will likely feel different from the start.
- One hour, one-on-one with a licensed clinician — not 15 minutes with a clinician followed by 45 minutes with an aide
- Whole-body assessment — we look at how your whole body moves, not just the spot that hurts
- Cash-hybrid model — we are not bound by what insurance will allow us to do, so we can spend the time and use the methods your case actually needs
- 32 years of experience in chronic pain, complex cases, pediatric occupational therapy, and the cases other providers have not been able to resolve
- 230+ five-star Google reviews from real patients across Southern Illinois
You can read real patient outcomes — in their own words — on our Patient Success Stories hub.
What to expect on your first visit
Your first appointment is an evaluation, not a quick treatment. We take the time to understand what is going on before we recommend any intervention. For a detailed walkthrough of the first visit — including how long it takes, what we will ask you, and what you will leave with — see our Your First Visit page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral to become a new patient?
No. Under Illinois Direct Access law, you can begin physical therapy without a doctor’s referral. If you have a referral or recent imaging, bring it — it helps us understand your history faster. But it is not required to get started.
How quickly can I be seen as a new patient?
Same-week appointments are typically available, and same-day appointments are often available for urgent cases. The fastest way to know is to call (618) 243-7822 or book online.
What insurance does Synergy accept?
We accept most major insurance plans including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Humana. For services outside insurance coverage, we offer cash-pay options at transparent rates. See our insurance page for the full list and to verify your specific plan.
My child needs pediatric occupational therapy. Is the process the same?
The booking process is the same — just let us know during booking that you are seeking pediatric care for your child. Pediatric visits are also one hour, one-on-one, with a clinician trained in pediatric occupational therapy. Your child does not need a formal diagnosis to be seen.
Can I be seen at Synergy for a second opinion if I am already seeing another PT?
Yes. Many of our patients come to us after experiences elsewhere that did not produce the results they were hoping for. A second opinion or fresh assessment is a normal and welcome reason to reach out.
Related Patient Resources
- Your First Visit — a detailed walkthrough of what happens in your first appointment
- Insurance Information — accepted plans, verification, and what to expect
- Financing & Payment Options — cash-pay rates, CareCredit, and payment plans
- Direct Access — how Illinois law lets you start PT without a referral
- Frequently Asked Questions — broader site-wide FAQs
- Patient Success Stories — real outcomes from real patients
Ready to become a new patient?
Book Your First Appointment →
Or call us at (618) 243-7822 — we answer the phone.