Physical therapists with suspicious practices – USA

Forgive me as I left the US when I was 18 and lived in another country for almost 6 years and have just come back a few months ago and recently started a new job. I hardly know how the health insurance system works. I was seeing a physical therapist in the other country I lived in and I had $600/year of coverage which covered about 10 visits per year.

I have back pain and sciatica. I called a physical therapist to make an appointment as a first time patient, they said they could fit me in tomorrow which I thought was great. Then they said I had to book a follow up appointment 2 days after… which I thought was odd, shouldn’t I be given excercises to work on then come back at the discretion of the physical therapist after they see me and evaluate my condition? I mentioned this and the receptionist put me on hold then told me she just talked to the physical therapist and that they know thats what will be needed to “fix” me. (I have had sciatica for 3 years now… this is chronic.) So I was like ok whatever and asked if they do dry needling and she said yes but it’s not considered accupuncture so it will be $100 extra- I was like WHAT? How is accupuncture not accupuncture? It looks to be covered under my insurance policy. Then they said I need to get a prescription from my doctor if I want more than 30 days of physical therapy – I haven’t had to do this before is this standard?

This all seems so unusual, anyone else who goes for physical therapy for chronic pain conditions is this a normal practice? I did mention I cannot afford so many appointments, they said for me to come in every 2-3 days, but I have $0 paid into the deductible for this year so I believe that means I will have to pay for every appointment and that is a LOT of money. I appreciate any input on this.