Rehabilitation through physical therapy is crucial for a smooth and timely recovery from an injury or surgery. Not only will it help you get back to the way you were before, but it even has the potential of helping you become even healthier than you were before.
However, it is also crucial that you find a physical therapist who is highly trained, experienced, and qualified. This can make deciding on the right physical therapist difficult, especially if you have never done it before and aren’t sure what to look for.
In today’s post, we will be providing you with a handful of tips for finding the right physical therapist in order to ensure that you are maximizing your chances of a full recovery and return efficiently to pre-injury or pre-surgery functioning. If you are in the Houston Heights area and are looking for a qualified physical therapist, give us a call at Jennifer Klein Physical Therapy & AATB Pilates today to see if we could be a good fit for you.
1. Make sure that your physical therapist is certified.
Finding a physical therapist who has a degree from an accredited physical therapy program and has completed their national licensure examination is an absolute must. While your therapist may work with a physical therapy assistant when providing you care, they should also be qualified, certified professionals.
2. Ensure that they have experience with your specific issue.
All physical therapists should have extensive training and experience with a wide range of issues. Some physical therapists treat specific patient groups such as pediatrics, geriatrics, and sports or practice in specific settings, so be sure to contact clinics to see if they offer services and have experience treating your specific issue. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the office any questions you have regarding their treatment options. Your health is of utmost importance and you should feel comfortable and well-informed going into your first session.
3. Setting a realistic time for recovery is a must.
While doing your research on physical therapists, you will want to make sure that you find one who has your best interest in mind. This means that they will use your time wisely and have a discussion with you about your goals through physical therapy, including the establishment of a timeline that is reflective of those goals. Your physical therapist can help you set that timeline, and whether it be six weeks or six months, your PT should be measuring your progress towards reaching those goals with each visit.
4. Find a physical therapist who is able to recognize when it’s time to try something new.
While your physical therapist should have experience with your specific needs, every body is different and responds to physical therapy differently. This is why it is a must to choose a physical therapist who is able to recognize when a treatment isn’t working and try something new, and have experience with a variety of treatment methods for your situation. Find a facility that experiments with new equipment and strategies that make sense for your diagnosis. You should look for a physical therapist who can demonstrate that they are knowledgeable about current studies on treatment options and shows that they are keeping up with medical innovations that are backed by evidence in order to provide you with the best results possible.
5. Your physical therapist should provide you with movements to do at home.
While you are going to see great benefits from working with an experienced and knowledgeable physical therapist during your sessions, a reputable PT should also provide you with a little bit of “homework” — this includes a series of movements, such as stretches, in order to further build on what you did at the office. So be sure to choose a physical therapist who provides you with clear instructions and directions so that you know exactly what you should be doing at home.
6. Choose a physical therapist who makes you feel comfortable.
Next to your physical therapist’s education and experience, comfort is of the utmost importance. You would never step foot in the office of an ob/gyn or receive brain surgery from someone that you didn’t like or trust, right? The same should go for your physical therapist. If you are going to be spending ample time with this person, it is important that you trust them with getting your body working correctly again. You should also make sure that the office environment is one that you feel safe in.
By following these tips, finding a reputable, certified, and experienced physical therapist should be a breeze. Just be sure to do your research and reach out to a few offices before you make your decision, and don’t be afraid to switch offices if you show up to your first appointment and don’t feel comfortable with your choice.
At Jennifer Klein Physical Therapy & AATB Pilates in Houston Heights, our certified and highly knowledgeable physical therapist has experience with a wide range of injuries and pre/post-op ailments. Be sure to take a look at our list of services and give our office a call today to discuss your needs further!
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