Issues to Consider When Selecting a Physical Therapist
By Ron Santiago
February 15, 2011 -- If you or someone you know is recovering from orthopedic surgery or getting back in shape after an injury, some form of physical therapy is likely to be involved.
Your doctor can recommend a physical therapy provider, or you can ask for a referral to a specific center. When selecting a physical therapist, here are four things to keep in mind.
First, look for a center that works closely with orthopedic surgeons. Many of the therapy centers that have sprouted up across the Mahoning Valley in recent years have no surgeon on site at all. Some may have a physician or two involved in corporate management in another city, or on a part-time board of directors, but that is not the same as being right on site where therapy patients are served.
Other therapy centers operate in close communication with orthopedic surgeons. That perspective can contribute to more effective therapy for a safer and more complete recovery.
Second, make sure you're dealing with properly licensed physical therapists. Chiropractors and other health professionals with specific specialties have sometimes been relied upon for physical therapy, but this is not their area of expertise.
Centers with properly licensed physical and occupational therapists make these qualifications very clear if you ask or consult their websites. Insist on this.
Third, look for a center that is conveniently located. Success in therapy depends largely on whether the patient, or the person driving the patient, can get to all of the appointments as scheduled.
Dependable, on-time attendance can be difficult if you're going to a center that is hard to find, hard to get to or far away. A conveniently located center can increase the odds that you'll follow through on all appointments to maximize the likelihood of a full and safe recovery.
And finally, look for a therapy center with convenient hours. Many centers keep 9-to-5 "bankers' hours" that are fine if you do not have a work schedule or school schedule to manage.
But if you have other commitments, and still want to make all of your rehab appointments, look for a center with early and late hours that can accommodate your schedule.
You do have a choice when you need physical therapy. Make the most of that choice, and make the most of your recovery.
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Ron Santiago is a certified physical therapist and director of rehabilitation at Youngstown Orthopaedic Associates.