How To Pick The Right Physical Therapist For Your Injury

Physical therapy (PT) is care that seeks to ease pain; improve function or movement; and help you live, move, and perform better. A great physical therapist will use a variety of effective techniques and equipment to help you recover from an injury or condition such as a broken bone, sprained ligament, muscle pain, postoperative symptoms and increasingly in today’s deskbound culture repetitive stress issues. They are also great at helping to prevent future injuries.

To be a practicing physical therapist in the U.S., one must earn a degree in doctor of physical therapy (DPT) from an educational institution offering a physical therapist education program that’s accredited by the CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education). 

The typical length of professional DPT programs is three years. The curriculum’s primary content areas may include but aren’t limited to neuroscience, kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, cellular histology, and anatomy.

Your physical therapist will employ a variety of exercises to enhance a certain body part or improve areas that are weak or otherwise damaged. Physical therapists use many different techniques and equipment to help patients heal naturally, increase mobility, build strength, and avoid further injury. The program will usually take the form of a personalized treatment plan that's designed to meet the needs of each patient and their ability to successfully recover and improve their lives. As a trainer, I often work together with my clients’ physical therapists to ensure the safest and most effective rehab program.

The Signs

If you think you may need a physical therapist, it's crucial to choose the right one for your injury. Don’t delay or assume that the issue will fix itself. You only have one body, and you should take the best care of it. Below I will address some important factors that will help you make your decision. Hopefully, this will allow you to make an educated choice and know what to expect before ever meeting with a physical therapist. Here are the questions to ask:

Does The Physical Therapist Have Valuable Professional Experience?

It’s important to find a reputable and experienced physical therapist to provide you with the best care. If you want to get better after an injury, a physical therapist with limited experience may not have treated patients with your same issues.

If you're interested in getting the best physical therapy treatment, be sure to schedule a consultation or appointment with a physical therapist to better understand what kind of treatment plan you'll receive. Integrated programs like Fit Club NY physical therapy will be able to come up with a comprehensive yet feasible plan to help you get back on your feet as soon as possible. Concierge services like this take a lot of the guesswork out and provide all the services you may need under one roof.

Is The Physical Therapist Qualified And Licensed?

It’s important to remember that not all physical therapists are created equal. Make sure that you're choosing a professional who's qualified to help you. For example, if you’re suffering from a back injury, then you should opt for a physical therapist who is an expert in treating patients with back conditions. A good physical therapist should be able to teach you how to do simple exercises that will help you reduce any stress and tension on your back. Additionally, your physical therapist should be able to show you the proper way to recover from the injury and prescribe you an integrated rehab program that also layers in other techniques as needed like massage, cupping, e-stim, k-tape, etc.

There are many different types of physical therapists to choose from, as well as varying specialty areas. A physical therapist's education usually spans, at least, four years, though some physical therapy fellowship programs require much more time. Find one who not only has the appropriate license and certifications for your state but one who is confident about being able to improve your issue. As a precaution, verify by looking at the physical therapist's website for more information regarding his or her professional training.

Do You Have Clear Communication With Your Physical Therapist?

You should understand what your physical therapist does and the treatments involved in your injury. A good physical therapy treatment plan will include a comprehensive and clear outline for your recovery, including homework along roadmap with instructions as well as photos or videos to help visualize the results of your program.

Like working with a personal trainer, make sure that you're hiring a professional who's easy to talk to and makes you comfortable. Always make sure that your therapist makes you feel safe and confident - if you're being pushed too hard or feel rushed, you may feel resentment toward your therapist or the program itself and quit before you heal.

Is Your Physical Therapist Conveniently Available?

Like any relationship, you should be compatible with your physical therapist to ensure that the treatment program will go as smoothly as possible. Aside from hiring someone qualified with excellent communication skills, you should opt for a physical therapist who is located near you. This is especially true if you need to see your therapist frequently for your sessions. If you can reach your physical therapist's clinic easily, the less likely you'll miss any appointments, so you can recover faster.

Takeaway

Physical therapy is essential in obtaining improved flexibility and range of motion, increased strength and endurance, prevention of further injuries, reduction of swelling, and more. If you’ve suffered an injury, take advantage of the benefits of physical therapy. By hiring someone you can trust, you'll ensure that your recovery will be rapid and hassle-free, and you will learn a lot about future injury prevention.