As more and more Americans look to take care of their health with noninvasive treatments, physical therapy has become a fast-growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are almost 240,000 physical therapist jobs in the U.S., and the career is growing much faster than the national average.
Of course, this huge range of options for physical therapists isn’t as reassuring if you’re currently in the market for one! With so many to choose from, how do you select a physical therapist you can rely on?
If you’re wondering how to partner with the right physical therapist, here’s what you should know to make your decision.
Get a Referral
If you or someone you know has had a good experience in physical therapy, the easiest way to find a great therapist is to use that one. If not, you can always ask your doctor for a recommendation. This ensures that you’ll find a therapist with good customer satisfaction rates.
Do Your Homework
If you don’t have a referral, do some research to come up with a list of therapists in your area. From there, you can begin to narrow your selection down by checking a few things:
- Is the person a licensed physical therapist?
- Do online reviews suggest that they have many satisfied customers?
- What is the therapist’s training and background?
- How much physical therapy experience do they have?
- Are they in your insurance network?
From there, you should also get in touch with the physical therapist’s office to learn what you can about the rates for sessions, especially if you’re out of network. Some offices may not be able to give you this information without having you come in for a diagnosis, but others may be able to give you a basic idea, which can help you compare prices.
Look for Specialization
While you should have no trouble working with any physical therapist for most common pains and injuries, it’s a good idea to seek out a specialist for specific injuries.
Some therapy practices focus on offering physical therapy after car accident injuries, for example. Others might offer physical therapy for sports injuries. Working with someone who has a solid understanding of your specific condition can help you recover faster.
Meet Them in Person
Arrange an initial meeting or consultation to talk to the physical therapist. This is an opportunity to ask questions about their treatments for injuries, your recovery timeline, and the amount of pain relief you can expect. It will also give you a sense of your therapist’s personality: you’ll be spending a fair amount of time with them, so make sure they’re someone you feel comfortable with!
Select a Physical Therapist You Can Trust
At the end of the day, it’s crucial that you feel comfortable with your physical therapist, especially since they’ll have your health in their hands for weeks or even months. Work to select a physical therapist who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and experienced in order to speed up your recovery! With a little online research and a check-in with the right therapist, you’ll have no trouble finding the right medical professional in no time.
Need more key tips to help with those essential health and wellness decisions? Be sure to check out our other posts for additional guidance.
