Tips for Choosing a Physical Therapist

Finding the right physical therapist can put you on the path to reducing pain and restoring your mobility following an injury, accident, surgery or illness.

Use these tips to find the right physical therapist for your health needs.

Ask for a Referral

You may not need a referral from your primary care doctor, but you can ask your doctor for a recommendation to a physical therapist or facility. You can also ask family, friends and coworkers for recommendations.

Choose a Convenient Location

If you will be seeing a physical therapist frequently, choose a location that is close to your home or workplace. This will make it easier for you to keep your appointments and continue your care.

Check Available Resources

If you need a particular type of rehabilitation, such as aquatic therapy or specific adaptive equipment, call to make sure the physical therapy location you’re interested in offers those services. It’s also a good idea to see if certain locations offer specialized programs specific to your needs, such as stroke rehabilitation or hand therapy programs.

Consider the Physical Therapist's Experience

Ask how many patients the physical therapist has worked with who have your specific condition. The more experience they have the better your results will likely be. Make sure they are licensed and check to see if they have any advanced certifications or credentialing. Examples of advanced training certifications include OCS (orthopedic certified specialist), SCS (sports certified specialist) and WCS (women's health certified specialist).

Assess Your Compatibility

A physical therapist should be your partner in helping you succeed. Find someone with whom you have good rapport and the ability to openly communicate. If you experience pain or discomfort during an exercise, you should feel comfortable alerting your physical therapist.

Know What Your Insurance Covers

Check your health plan to determine the specific details of your coverage in order to pay the least out-of-pocket expenses. Have the physical therapist’s office verify acceptance of your particular plan.