When you need a physical therapist, it is essential to know what to look for when you are recovering from new or old pain. Your quality of life depends significantly on how well you heal and the support you have during your healing process. The physical therapist you hire plays a considerable role.
The best physical therapist can understand your needs and how to support your physical recovery as well as your mental and emotional health. Whether you suffer from minor discomfort, chronic pain, or an acute injury, you need to find a physical therapist who best fits your needs and is caring and skilled.
When you start looking to hire a physical therapist, you will find many options, and it is crucial to find quality care. This article will review the essential qualities to look for when hiring a physical therapist.
Top Qualities of an Excellent Physical Therapist
Physical therapy can help strengthen weak muscles, ease pain, and improve mobility and quality of life. You can use physical therapy to help treat acute or chronic pain effectively and utilize it proactively to help alleviate issues that could lead to more complex medical conditions or the need for orthopedic surgery.
1. Compassion and Clear Communication
When you need to hire a physical therapist, it’s essential to find one with good communication skills who can talk with you clearly and easily. You should ensure your physical therapist has excellent listening skills too. When you are suffering from pain, you need to be able to talk openly with your physical therapist without feeling intimidated or uncomfortable.
2. Patience and Kindness
Patience is a vital trait to look for in a physical therapist. When you hire a physical therapist, make sure he or she is patient and kind. This usually improves patients’ chances of recovery and helps keep them motivated throughout rehab. Having a physical therapist who can stay patient during your appointment significantly improves your healing process and encourages you to stay positive.
Should your physical therapist be impatient and rush you or leave you feeling alone or frustrated, they are not the right fit for you. Likewise, if you leave your sessions feeling discouraged or upset, you are most likely not working with a physical therapist who is the ideal fit for you.
3. Ability to Set Realistic Goals
An experienced physical therapist will know the various movements and specific exercises during therapy sessions to optimize your recovery. Many people feel anxiety when injured because it often interrupts their everyday life and performance, sometimes considerably depending on the extent of their injuries. This is why your physical therapist must clearly outline realistic goals and expectations for your recovery process. Not everyone can have or does have the same goals, so make sure they are specific and realistic for you.
4. Personalized Treatment Plan
An experienced physical therapist will create a clear personalized treatment plan detailing various steps of your expected recovery process, including re-evaluating your goals, exercises, and progress as you go. This will help you know what to expect and help you understand the essential methods and techniques used in your healing protocol.
For example, people with vertigo and vestibular issues, TMJ, sport performance and other medical conditions will benefit from working with a skilled physical therapist who can create a personalized treatment plan.
5. Continued Support
When recovering from an injury, surgery, or chronic medical condition, patients usually need ongoing guidance and support. Frequently, patients will need to ask questions about their treatment, therapy exercises, and techniques or specialized programs designed to help optimize their recovery process. Overhead athletes, runners, and active adults may need extra guidance and support to help improve their overall strength to reduce the risk of further or future injuries.
Even after your physical therapy is concluded, you may need to be able to contact your physical therapist to assure you or help you through a challenge that comes up after your treatment. Having a therapist who is accessible and accountable throughout various stages of your recovery is essential. You shouldn’t feel abandoned or alone at any point in your physical therapy or recovery process.
6. Knowledge and Experience
Physical therapists can help their patients with various injuries and medical issues. Ideally, you want to hire a physical therapist with experience with your needs to help you with your condition and recovery process.
When looking for a physical therapist, ask questions to determine if they have experience with similar conditions and the outcomes for various patients. Some physical therapists will focus on a specific body part or certain kinds of injuries. When you hire a therapist, choose one who understands what type of support you need to recover from your injury, reduce pain and improve your chances of success.
Your physical therapist needs to be knowledgeable and follow evidence-based guidelines for your condition to ensure you will optimize your healing. An experienced physical therapist will be happy and willing to answer your questions about their experience.
7. Professional Attitude
Some physical therapists can be unprofessional and fall short of maintaining basic protocols, attitudes, and procedures in their practice and results. When a patient goes through physical therapy, the therapist must create a schedule that best supports the healing process and long-term health. Ensure your therapist is reliable and responsible and values you as a person.
Your therapy sessions must follow a specific protocol and timeline to ensure you meet the expected and desired progress goals. If your therapy sessions feel hurried or are often canceled, your therapist isn’t taking care of your needs, and it is critical to seek a different physical therapist.
8. Educational Background
Ensure that the person you hire has an education from an accredited school to work as a physical therapist. A licensed physical therapist will provide their licensing information willingly and have the experience that matches your needs.
9. Accessible and Local Location
You want your physical therapist’s office to be easily accessible and have an office near your home to avoid a long trip and reduce the stress of travel and time. If you have to drive extended times to get to your therapy, it can negatively impact your recovery process. It is also essential to ensure the therapist’s hours suit your schedule to ensure you have plenty of options to make regular appointments.
Liberty Physical Therapy, for Compassionate Care With a Professional Physical Therapist
At Liberty Physical Therapy, you will receive compassionate treatment and a personalized treatment plan to help you recover, whether you are treating a new injury or old pain. We help active adults, runners and athletes recover from or prevent body pains, vertigo, vestibular and balance disorders, and other musculoskeletal injuries.
Our evidence-based holistic approach addresses the root cause of your issue so that your body heals properly and prevents further injury. Schedule an appointment today, and we can create a plan to get you on the road to recovery!
