Tips For Finding The Right Physical Therapist For Your Needs

Finding the proper orthopedic physical therapist to fit your needs can feel challenging. From matching up with a specialist who can address your injury to finding the proper chemistry between professional and patient you may feel overwhelmed.

Following a few basic tips will ease your anxieties.

Check with Your Surgeon

Speak to your surgeon to identify an orthopedic physical therapy professional who can best meet your needs. Since most rehab is linked to suffering through acute injuries your surgeon likely knows therapists who specialize in a particular area. Ask for a few references if you want to keep your options open.

Most surgeons know a handful of skilled physical therapists that practice in the general vicinity of your home. Don’t be afraid to ask any physical therapists who you’ve met with if they have any references either.

Use the Internet to Leverage Your Search

With the power of the internet at your disposal you can access online forums, social networking groups and blogs to become more informed about a particular therapist. Asking around and digging deep through niche specific forums, Facebook Groups, Google Plus communities and relevant blogs gives you much of the information you need to make an educated decision regarding a specialists.

Forums can expose you to both positive and negative feedback concerning a physical therapist. Facebook Groups may connect with you with former and current patients who can share their experiences with you.

The internet is the great equalizer in terms of word of mouth marketing. Although a marketing agency may skillfully position convincing testimonials on a therapist’s website you’ll see pure and unfiltered reviews of these professional on many forums and social networking sites.

If the professional is doing a wonderful job you’ll likely see many glowing reviews with the odd negative review. Gauge as much feedback as possible online to add to your due diligence arsenal.

Observe the Therapist in Action

If you want to get a feel for how a physical therapist connects with their patients watch them at work.  After asking for permission you’ll find that some physical therapists will gladly allow you to observe them in action.

Seeing the therapist-patient relationship helps you to see if the individual would be a match for your personality type. A more outgoing, demonstrative therapist would vibe with a more confident patient while a more reserved patient would likely resonate with a quiet, low key therapist. Find your match by watching a therapist treat patients.

Work with the Therapist before Your Surgery

Take an orthopedic physical therapist for a test run by seeing the specialist before you go under the knife. Meet the individual for a few visits prior to surgery to observe your chemistry. Instead of investing your precious time, energy and money in a physical therapist only to find out that they’re not a good match during the critical post operative window, work with a professional before your operation.

Think of these few sessions as a trial run. If you are happy with your therapist schedule postoperative sessions.