One of the best ways to recover from an injury, surgery, or trauma to your body is to go through physical therapy. Your therapists will help your body to heal faster, and will also help your musculoskeletal system get stronger to avoid injury again in case you start to use the muscles without building them back up.
Choosing the right physical therapist for your needs is important. To get the right therapist, make sure you avoid these 5 common mistakes.
Mistake 1: Not Checking Credentials
A physical therapist is a professional that has completed a graduate degree in physical therapy and is licensed to practice in your state. Most physical therapists have a master’s degree, but some may also have a doctorate.
It is critical to ensure that the professional that you are seeing is a licensed physical therapist. They are not the same as massage therapists, sports medicine trainers, or any other professional.
Mistake 2: Not Asking for a Referral
Your doctor or surgeon is the best person to ask for a referral to a physical therapist in your area. Any doctor that is working with patients with injuries and musculoskeletal conditions will work closely with top physical therapists.
Mistake 3: Not Looking at the Facility
While you will be working one-on-one with your physical therapist you also want to assess the equipment. Most physical therapy rooms are going to look very similar to a gym with free weights, stationary bikes and treadmills, specialized exercise equipment, and open areas to work and move about. Most facilities also have aquatic workout areas and even walking tracks.
Any physical therapist that works in a small office without space and without equipment is not going to be able to provide you with the exercise options you will need.
Mistake 4: Not Asking Questions
If you have questions about your physical therapy treatment, what options you have, scheduling or any other issue, you should feel free to ask. If the therapist does not seem to know the answers or is providing information that is contrary to what your doctor or other therapists have told you, they may not have the level of experience and expertise to provide you the help that you need.
Mistake 5: Not Feeling Comfortable
You should feel comfortable working with the physical therapists, and with asking them questions. If you do not feel comfortable, you are less likely to come to sessions and to do the exercises between sessions that may be required.
Finding the right physical therapist is an important part of your recovery. By avoiding these common mistakes, you will find just the right professional for your needs.
To learn more about our physical therapy professionals and services, visit us online. We can be found by clicking on www.suburbanortho.com.