Finding a Good Physical Therapist – Part 1

Physical therapy is often a key component in recovery from illness or injury. Finding the right physical therapist to treat a specific condition is most important. A good therapist can make the recovery faster and less painful. So how do you go about finding the right one? To begin with you need to understand the 3 main components of effective physical therapy which is a blend of science, art and experience.

Science

Physical therapy is an evolving science with new systems and methods being used to treat specific ailments. A good therapist will be up-to-date with the latest developments in the field and know how to use them. When first meeting the therapist, do not hesitate to ask about the reasons why a specific course of treatment is being advised. Ask about the pros and cons of what is being suggested and also of the alternatives. A therapist who is unwilling or hesitant to discuss these matters with you may be uncertain of his/her abilities or have something to hide. This is not someone you want to help in your recovery – the problem could get worse because of the wrong therapy or its faulty application.

Art

Besides the science behind it, physical therapy uses a variety of different techniques – the arts. Some techniques are more effective for certain injuries or recovery regimens than others. Find out if the therapist has expertise in the treatment you require. For example, some therapists specialize in Cupping Therapy, which demands special qualifications. Others may have expertise in movement based exercise. Look for a therapist with all-round knowledge of different techniques so that you can be sure that what is being advised in not because that is the one she is most comfortable with – it may not be the right option for you.

Experience

Ask about the experience in treating cases like yours. If yours is a back problem, you want a therapist who has dealt with patients who have had back issues. If you need preventive therapy to keep a problem from getting worse, find out about the experience in that particular area to therapy. Most therapists have experience in dealing with a number of conditions so do not expect one that does only knee rehabilitation, for example. As long as there is sufficient experience in dealing with your problem, that is fine.

No 2 individuals are the same. Any course of therapy will need to be tweaked and modified to suit the needs of each patient. A therapist with the right combination of these 3 qualities will be able to best understand your condition and create a plan that will work for you. Such a therapist will inspire confidence and put you more at ease. How much faith you have in the therapist and how relaxed you are about the treatment you will receive will affect how successful the physical therapy is.

The next part of this blog will cover the questions you should ask your therapist to know if she is the right one for you.

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