Looking For The Right Physical Therapist

When your doctor recommends you to undergo physical therapy, he may or may not refer you to a physical therapist he personally knows. Your doctor's referral may be a good starting point in looking for the right physical therapist to help you in your physical rehabilitation.

However, you should remember that you are the most essential member of your own healthcare team. And as such, you have the prerogative to choose any skilled specialist involved in your health care, whom you think is best suited to help you meet your specific goals, and that includes your physical therapist.

If you are on the lookout for the right physical therapist to help you accomplish your specific goals pertaining to your rehabilitation, the following guidelines set by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) will be able to assist you in choosing your physical therapist.

* Freedom to choose

As mentioned earlier, it is your prerogative as the main participant of your health care, to select your own physical therapist. However, there are states that do not allow people to seek the services of a physical therapist without the referral of their respective doctors. It is therefore advisable for you to verify whether or not your state is one of the states that allow you to consult a physical therapist directly before doing so. You may search online for a list of those states which allow direct consultation with a physical therapist. The APTA website, www.apta.org may be the best place to go to for this list.

Another thing to consider before consulting a physical therapist directly is your health insurance, which may require you to consult a primary care physician first or may limit your access to health care providers to their accredited health specialists.

Your physician may refer you for physical therapy to be conducted in the same facility he is connected with, or to another which he may have special interests in. Whichever the case is, be sure to insist that your therapy will be conducted by a professionally trained and licensed physical therapist.

Licensed physical therapists belonging to the APTA would be best as their practice is governed by the Code of Ethics of the said professional association. This helps ensure that you get only high-quality, competent, and compassionate care as this is their commitment to their profession and to their patients.

* Choosing the right physical therapist

Be sure to hire the services of a licensed physical therapist only. Licensed physical therapists have passed their state's licensure examination and are therefore allowed to practice their profession in their respective states. In cases you are receiving physical therapy from a physical therapist assistant, make sure that he/she is conducting the therapy under the direct guidance and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

Prior to choosing your physical therapist, find out whether he/she or the clinic he/ she is affiliated with is covered by your health insurance plan, or will be able to submit claims on your behalf to your insurance company. There are insurance companies or plans which require additional payments from you for certain services and such additional payments will mostly depend on your physical therapist - whether he/she is affiliated with your insurance company or not.

If you would like to look for a physical therapist in your area, the AFTA website will also be a good source of a list of licensed physical therapists practicing in your locality.

* Your consultation and appointment

During your first physical therapy appointment, your physical therapist will do the necessary assessment and examination. You will be evaluated for current and potential problems prior to starting your therapy. The results of this evaluation, coupled with your specific goals will help the physical therapist in establishing a treatment plan that aims to restore your function. You will be most likely required by your physical therapist to perform some exercises at home to further facilitate your recovery and optimize restoration of function and movement.

Another important factor to remember is that you should be able to maintain an open communication with your physical therapist. You should be comfortable asking questions or clarifying things pertaining to your therapy with your physical therapist, as this can help promote the accomplishment of your goals.