Finding the Right Physical Therapist
BY MORGAN HOPKINS, DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Are you recently injured? Recovering from surgery? Struggling from chronic pain?... Physical Therapy may be the solution for you!
Physical Therapy involves a combination of skilled manual interventions, therapeutic exercises and modalities to reduce your pain, improve your strength and enhance your functional movement abilities. Many people do not realize how important rehabilitation is to overall recovery and can be an effective and efficient way to reduce medication dependency, restore mobility and avoid chronic impairment.
So where does one begin when seeking out Physical Therapy treatment?
Depending on the state, you may or may not need a prescription to see a Physical Therapist. Speak with your physician or search the American Physical Therapy Association’s website to learn more about your state’s specific direct access policies. Most states have some level of direct access but insurance policies vary on requirements for prescriptions prior to initiating care.
Once you’ve determined your state’s prescription requirements, finding the right PT is the most important step to achieving a positive outcome. Therapists treat people of all age ranges- from infants with torticollis to geriatric patients with balance disorders. All graduating therapists now obtain a doctoral level degree which exposes them to treatment interventions for most conditions. That said, depending on your circumstances, finding a therapist that focuses on a specific body region or condition or has achieved board-certification in a specialty area may be appropriate. Specialties range from neurology to pediatrics to orthopedics to pelvic floor. Using practitioner search tools such as the APTA’s “Find a PT” tool, you can filter clinicians by location, specialty and practice focus to narrow providers that may be best for you. Besides online searching, discussing practitioner recommendations with your physician, friends or family members can also guide you towards top-level clinicians.
Once you have honed in on a few options, contact the therapy office directly to determine whether they accept your insurance, are taking new patients and treat your specific condition. Although each patient’s billing will vary, it's beneficial to discuss cost expectations upfront so you can work with your practitioner to create an appropriate treatment plan that fits your schedule and your budget.
When you have finally made it to your initial evaluation, be thorough and candid with your PT. Discuss expectations for treatment and the functional goals that you would like to accomplish. Rehab can be challenging and at times frustrating, but finding a therapist that is both empathetic and motivating will help keep you on track, streamline the recovery process and ultimately help you achieve your goals!