When someone is struggling in pain, they often ask how to find a good Physical Therapist. Some will ask their doctor, others their friends or even crowdsourcing. BUT, how are you to know if the person recommended is good for YOUR problem?
A suggestion is to take those recommendations and do a little more digging. Learn more about the person who might have the opportunity to assist you.
To begin with, you want someone who will spend all your time in the clinic with you. It is wise to avoid those places where the PT is working with 2, 3, or even 4 people at a time. Your problem and your goals are important, so you want someone who will be invested in helping you achieve them. You don’t want someone overly distracted or multi-tasking. Data indicates that a greater percentage of actual 1-on-1 therapist time leads in better and faster results. Do not be fooled by “oh yeah, you are always with someone”. That might be an assistant or even tech. You want the person who will be fastest to adjust on the fly based on your response.
Next, what are their credentials? Have they taken the time to advance their clinical practice? Look for someone who is board certified or even completed fellowship training. This indicates that they value being a professional and strive to deliver the best possible care. There are 9 board certifications so you may want to make sure that certification the person has matches with your concern.
Another important factor to consider is specialization of body region. Just like medical doctors, a doctor of physical therapy often specialize in various body regions. Or at least prefer or are better at treating different body regions. One way to find out this answer is by calling the clinic and asking to speak with the provider you are considering. They should be able to provide clear answers to your questions within reason. If you are asking them to provide answers specific to you without seeing you, that is a stretch. But they should be able to talk about their confidence with a given body region. And it is perfectly fine if one is better at a given diagnosis or condition than another.
Finally, you want to find someone who you feel you can develop a relationship with. Just as you want that primary care doctor to take care of you long-term, you want the same with a physical therapist. You want that person you feel comfortable with address your muscle, joint, strength, and balance concerns. You are going to be living in that body for hopefully a few years, so you need that person to provide the necessary tune-ups when needed (just like you do with your car).
You have the choice to pick the provider you wish. Find the best person to help you achieve your goals.
If you have any other questions on how to find a good Physical Therapist for you, click the following LINK to ask.