Physical therapy is crucial for countless people throughout the United States, and this is particularly the case in large cities like NYC where there are countless patients and not enough physical therapists to serve everyone!
It’s important for physical therapy patients to do their homework while looking for local PT specialists, because having a strong connection with your physical therapist is key toward your treatment’s overall success.
We’ve partnered up with the physical therapy park slope brooklyn, ny specialists at PhysioRX to develop this list of five tips to help you find the right physical therapist for your unique needs. So if you’re currently looking for a physical therapist and aren’t quite sure what to do, check out the below tips to get you going in the right direction!
Hire a Physical Therapist With Proper Credentials
Physical therapists are considered to be movement specialists for a reason, and this is partly because the licensing process to become a physical therapist is incredibly time-consuming and difficult. Physical therapists have to obtain a valid degree from a fully accredited PT program, undergo several years of clinical experience, and they must also pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE).
The physical therapy industry is also constantly evolving, which is why the best physical therapists consistently participate in continuing education programs. Patients always win when they partner up with lifelong learners, which is why you should be hiring PT experts who take their careers very seriously in terms of education and research development.
Physical therapists come in countless different forms, but it’s important to make sure that you’re working with a licensed professional who has taken the time to obtain the many necessary credentials to properly help you.
Find a Physical Therapist That Specializes in Your Unique Needs
Many physical therapists discover that they’re passionate about supporting patients experiencing specific conditions or certain stages of life. There are 10 designated specialties within the physical therapy industry, and these fields include:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Clinical electrophysiology
- Pulmonary & cardiovascular
- Orthopedics
- Oncology
- Sports
- Pediatrics
- Wound management
- Women’s health
If your health needs closely align with any of the above categories, it could be a great idea to find a board-certified PT expert who specializes in that field of work.
Prioritize Physical Therapists With Great Manual Skills
Physical therapy often incorporates things like stretching, exercise, education and hands-on therapy to thoroughly manage all sorts of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. This holistic approach toward health and wellness that’s combined with manual techniques is what makes physical therapy so effective for countless patients.
Manual therapy refers to skilled hands mobilizing and manipulating soft muscle tissue, improving range of motion and flexibility, reducing inflammation and swelling, decreasing muscular restrictions, and controlling patient pain. In many ways, a physical therapist’s hands are their most valuable tools.
There’s absolutely no denying just how effective manual therapy is, especially when it’s combined with regular exercise. This means that if your current physical therapist allows machines to do most of their clinic’s work, then it might be time to look for a PT specialist who’s less dependent upon passive therapies!
Make Sure Your Physical Therapist Assigns Homework
Homework is a huge part of physical therapy, because it’s impossible for patients to experience significant results with just one treatment session. It’s likely that your physical therapist will also prescribe certain exercises, targeted stretches and at-home therapies to help reinforce your results in between sessions.
Patients should think of their physical therapist as a teacher, because part of their job is to teach you about taking care of your body. From nutrition and dieting to physical fitness and sleep, physical therapists help educate their patients toward adopting healthy lifestyle changes that improve their overall health and wellness.
Build a Personal Connection With Your Physical Therapist
Building trust and feeling comfortable with your physical therapist is a great way to get the very most out of their program.
Do they always give you their undivided attention during your sessions? Do they ask questions and carefully listen to your answers? Are they receptive to your concerns and requests to make treatment adjustments?
Although credentials and professional training are always important for these types of hiring decisions, it’s arguably even more important to ensure that you’re building a good personal relationship with your physical therapist. This can have a positive impact on your treatment results and long-term health, and it’s a huge reason why you should look for relatable, kind and empathetic PT experts!
Reach Out to PhysioRX When You’re Looking for Physical Therapy in Park Slope Brooklyn, NY!
Looking for a physical therapist can often be a lot easier said than done, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you’re currently experiencing trial and error while finding the right specialist for your unique needs.
The above tips are just a brief glimpse into what patients should be keeping in mind while making these health-related hiring decisions, and some of the best physical therapy experts in the Park Slope Brooklyn, NY area are at the renowned PhysioRX NYC facility.
Get in touch with PhysioRX and learn more about how their team of PT experts can support you or your loved one!
