Treatments
5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Physical Therapist
What is physical therapy?
The main goals of physical therapy (PT) are to provide pain management, improve mobility, maximize functionality, implement injury recovery, and prevent future damage. A physical therapist evaluates the person and condition to treat illnesses and injuries related to the musculoskeletal (bones and muscles), neurological (brain), cardiopulmonary (heart and lungs) and integumentary (skin) systems.
What is a physical therapist?
The goal of physical therapy is to improve movement and range of motion. A physical therapist is a type of health care professional trained to help individuals maximize their mobility and functionality. The clients they treat may be recovering from an injury or illness, or have specific conditions (chronic and acute). A physical therapist evaluates the person and condition in order to treat illnesses and injuries related to the musculoskeletal (bones and muscles), neurological (brain), cardiopulmonary (heart and lungs) and integumentary (skin) systems.
Choosing a physical therapist
Typically, a health care professional refers individuals to a physical therapist (PT). Depending on the insurance provider, a person may be able to choose from a list of approved physical therapists in their medical plan and schedule an appointment without a referral. It is best to consult a physician first about recommendations for physical therapists. Similarly, friends or family can be trustworthy sources of information.
There are various questions that are important to ask when deciding on a physical therapist. Prepare for the appointment by bringing a notepad with questions to ask. Below are examples of questions that can be used as a guideline.
- What are your expectations of me?
- Have you worked with others who have my condition before? And if so, what were the outcomes?
- How can physical therapy benefit me and improve my condition?
- How many visits each week, and for how long, should it take to obtain results?
- Can I perform any exercises to aid my treatment plan at home?
Once a physical therapist is found to be a good fit, stay engaged with the treatment plan by asking questions and following directions. Asking questions during appointments is an excellent way to maintain strong lines of communication and to get the most benefits from physical therapy.
