If you do a google search for physical therapists in your area you’ll likely be overwhelmed with the sheer number and diversity of practitioners. How is anyone supposed to choose the right therapist? Today I’m going to help demystify choosing a therapist and how to know if what I do as a movement practitioner is the right practice for you.
Does the therapist have sport-specific knowledge? What are they trained in?
We’ve all been to therapists who treat the average person walking through the door but don’t understand what an athlete needs. I’ve had a physio give me stretches for a strained psoas that weren’t helpful because I was more flexible than the exercises he gives every average Joe with a sore lower back. He wasn’t able to modify them for my particular needs. Make sure your physio has experience treating high-performance athletes and sport-specific knowledge. If not, keep looking.
Have they spent the time getting to know you, your approaches to your injury healing and what you’re hoping to achieve?
In other words, are they interviewing you as a client to find out if you are the best fit for one another? You’re trusting your healing to someone. Wouldn’t you want to know whether they are the best fit for you? I would prefer to have a practitioner who knew their limits and whether I’d be better served by someone in their referral network that was an expert in my particular needs.
Are they spending time healing you or rushing you out the door?
Most physical therapy clinics run on 15 minute treatment sessions. 15 minutes! It’s a challenge for a practitioner to get to know what you need, how you’re progressing and give you enough value in just 15 minutes. Are they able to give you exercises to take home to restore your movement issues that may have led to your injury or are holding you back from being fully in shape? Look for a practitioner who can give you the time to fully treat all your needs.
Are you being treated by a doctor or a junior staff member?
In many physical therapy clinics you are first seen by a doctor and then seen by one or more junior staff members. Perhaps you booked an appointment to see a particular doctor because they had many of the qualities listed above but then after a consult you are treated by someone else. What are the other staff members’ qualifications and skill sets? Do they have the sport-specific knowledge you need? Are you getting the value you expect?
Do they help you move better so they treat the cause of the injury and restore your correct movement mechanics?
This is fundamental. Often symptoms get treated but the underlying cause or the compensations as a result of injury aren’t addressed. Does your physical therapist treat you only lying on a table or do they get you moving, restore your movement mechanics and discuss exercises tailored to you that you can do at home to get your range of motion back?
Are your treatments and exercises customized to your particular issue?
I’ve often seen athletes go to a physical therapist and come home with a photocopy of standard exercises for a common injury. Your body and your movement mechanics are unique to you. No two bodies move the same way or create the same compensations for their injuries. So why should your exercises be identical to a mainstream average? Make sure your practitioner will help you restore your unique range of motion through exercises tailored specifically to you.
Are you making any progress or do you keep having to return to the therapist?
This is also too common. The cycle of getting injured, going to physio, healing (fully or partially) and then going back to physio when the pain returns. If you keep doing the same things over and over again and you aren’t making progress, then perhaps you should ask why are you using the same approach. Wouldn’t it make more sense to find a practitioner that will help you stay out of the clinic? My goal as a practitioner is to give you the skills and smarts about your body to help you heal yourself. My goal is to help you so you DON’T have to come back.
Ask for a referral from your teammates, coaches or fellow competitors.
When in doubt, go to your network. It’s likely that there are stellar practitioners that work on people close to you. Word of mouth is the best marketing so ask who others trust. And vote with your feet.