What To Consider When Choosing A Physical Therapist

Physical therapy will put you on the right path following an accident, illness, surgery, or injury. From minor mobility losses to major, life-changing events, you want to ensure you’re receiving care from the right physical therapist. Before choosing a physical therapist, there are a few questions you should ask yourself and your potential therapist.

How Can Referrals Help? 

While you can fire up Google and search for a physical therapist near you, referrals from trusted sources are often the better choice. The best referrals are typically from your primary care providers, such as your doctor or hospital. However, you can also ask for referrals from family, friends, coworkers, or acquaintances.

Is the Location Convenient? 

The best physical therapist probably won’t mean much if it takes you several hours to reach their office. Instead, if you’re receiving physical therapy often, you’ll want to choose a location close to your workplace or home. Doing so makes it easier for you to track and attend all your appointments.

Does the Office or Therapist Have the Right Resources? 

Depending upon your injury or illness, you might require specific equipment. Additionally, you might be interested in treatments like aquatic therapy. Make sure you call the office beforehand and see if they have the necessary resources.

Does the Physical Therapist Have the Right Experience? 

Any potential physical therapist will need to be licensed and insured. However, there are other factors at play as well. Not only do you want to make sure they have plenty of experience under their belt, but that they also have the right kind of experience. For example, while a particular physical therapist might be good at their job, they might not have much experience working with your specific condition.

What Are Some Questions You Should Ask? 

When vetting a potential physical therapist, don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need. Some questions you can ask include:

• How long have you been practicing?
• Where did you get your degree from?
• What physical therapy methods do you use?
• How long does a typical session take?
• Do you have experience treating my specific condition?
• Do you have any referrals from satisfied clients?
• When will I start seeing results?
• Should I expect any discomfort or pain from our sessions?
• Do you accept my insurance?

How Do You Both Get Along? 

Another factor to consider is how well you get along with your physical therapist. The right physical therapist should make you feel at ease and should be easy to communicate with. If you don’t feel comfortable with your physical therapist for any reason, then it’s okay to switch therapists. This doesn’t mean that your physical therapist did anything wrong — different people have different personalities and methods of communication, and it is entirely okay to switch providers if you don’t feel fully comfortable.

These are some factors to consider when choosing a physical therapist. Whether you predict that you’ll only need a couple of sessions or will need physical therapy indefinitely, choosing the right physical therapist takes some consideration. For physical therapy in Bowie, MD, reach out to Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today!