How to Find the Right Physical Therapist for You
It can be difficult to take care of your health if you aren’t working with a healthcare provider who is a good match for you.
I like to describe finding a new healthcare provider as trying on a pair of shoes. They may look like they’re a great fit, but then you try them on and they aren’t quite what you were looking for. So you try on a new pair of shoes until you find the perfect match.
Now, I’m not saying to go out and “shop” for providers who will do what you want them to do. But I am encouraging you to do your due diligence and find someone who is a good match for you and your needs.
It can be daunting to find the right provider for you, but there are certain things you can check beforehand and at your first visit to have a successful experience. When you’re looking for a physical therapist, you should consider several things.
Call ahead of time
If you’re nervous about your upcoming first visit, call your physical therapist! Ask them questions about what to expect in physical therapy, what their training is, and what their training philosophy is. For example, if someone calls me I tell them:
I am residency-trained and a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health/Pelvic Health and Oncology, as well as a LANA Certified Lymphedema Therapist.
I have taken additional training in pelvic health, oncology, lymphedema, trauma-informed care, and LGBTQIA+ health.
My treatment philosophy is to work with you as a team to address your concerns and to help you become independent in managing your symptoms.
I am a Clinical Instructor for student physical therapists which means I may have a student working with me.
For pelvic health patients: There are several options for types of pelvic exams and treatment, and you do not have to have a full pelvic exam on the first visit if you’re not comfortable doing so.
Do you feel comfortable with them?
Once you get to the first appointment, see if your personalities mesh. You don’t have to be best friends on the first visit, but you should feel comfortable talking with them. For example, if you leave out key pieces of information or if you don’t feel comfortable giving feedback about how your visits are going, your therapist isn’t able to best help you. Don’t stay with someone who gaslights, makes you uncomfortable, or makes you feel unheard. Advocate for yourself and talk to your provider if you’re not getting the type of care that you need. Sometimes, you may just need to switch providers if it’s not a good fit.
How do they communicate?
Your therapist should make it clear what to expect in physical therapy including at the evaluation and each follow-up treatment. They should also ask what your goals are instead of giving you goals. These are your symptoms you’re dealing with, so you should have a say in what your goals are, right? Finally, they should be communicating their findings and your progress at each visit so you have a clear understanding of how you’re doing.
Is their practice insurance-based or cash-based?
Healthcare can be expensive and confusing, so you want to do your research ahead of time to know what you will be paying. Many physical therapy clinics operate as insurance-based practices, meaning you pay a co-pay or co-insurance and they bill for services through your insurance company to get reimbursed. Unfortunately, reimbursement rates for physical therapy services continue to get cut, which often leads to clinics trying to see more patients per day by making shorter appointment times or seeing two patients at once.
On the other hand, practices may choose to be out-of-network or cash-based to avoid insurance restrictions on services that are needed to help you reach your goals. With these clinics, you will typically pay a flat fee per visit. If you have out-of-network benefits with your insurance, you can submit for at least partial reimbursement, and many clinics allow you to use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) as well. Practices that are out-of-network or cash-based typically allow for longer one-on-one visits, are able to provide you the services you need without restrictions from insurance (for example certain treatment interventions or the number of visits), and may also offer other perks like in-home or gym visits.
Consider working with someone who specializes
Physical therapists are typically either generalists or specialists. Think of your primary care/family medicine provider who can see a wide range of conditions, versus a urologist who solely works with conditions involving the urinary system. Now, with that being said, many generalist physical therapists have additional training in specific areas, like postpartum care or a specific treatment technique. So if there isn’t someone near you who specializes solely in what you need, try to find someone who at least has additional training in that area.
Set yourself up for success by doing your research ahead of time, working with someone you’re comfortable with, and following these tips for how to get the most out of your physical therapy sessions.
