If you’ve experienced an injury, loss of mobility or recent surgery, physical therapy can help you return to your normal lifestyle and the daily activities you love. But choosing a physical therapy clinic can often be a difficult decision.
Whether you have received a recommendation from a physician or are conducting your search on your own, you’ll want to speak with any potential physical therapists before scheduling your first evaluation.
We recommend asking the following questions to determine if a therapist and clinic are the right fit for you and your rehabilitation needs:
1. What specialized training does the physical therapist have for my particular condition?
Some therapists specialize in a certain body part or injury while others are more generalist. Mainly, you’ll want to be sure to ask the therapist how many patients he or she has helped with your specific problem or injury.
Whether you have a shoulder issue, an ankle injury or anything in between, Set Physical Therapy has a specialist that can address your condition.
2. What can I expect from a typical session?
For your initial assessment, your therapist will ask questions and evaluate your range of mobility to understand your case. In many facilities, you do not receive treatment during that initial visit. At SetPT, our goal is to always provide treatment during the first session.
The sessions that follow will work to treat the dysfunction with an emphasis on maximizing your recovery through a patient-focused plan. Typical appointments last around an hour, but your therapist will be able to give you specific time frames based on your treatment plan.
Sessions will include techniques administered by the physical therapist as well as exercises tailored for your condition. Your therapist will also help you progress through exercises and techniques as your healing tissue allows.
3. What do I need to bring with me to the sessions?
During your first evaluation, you’ll need to bring any medical imaging CDs and/or reports (i.e. X-ray, MRI). Also, you should wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in as well as expose, if necessary.
4. How long will it take before I experience results?
Your therapist will be able to give you a more accurate timeline after completing your formal evaluation. Some patients have relief after the first session depending on the injury and treatment.
Each person’s injury and goals are vastly different, meaning the timetable is flexible to your treatment plan.
5. Will I always be seen by a physical therapist? Will it always be the same therapist?
Many patients assume they will see the same physical therapist for each visit, but at some clinics, that isn’t always the case. Some clinics will schedule your appointment with the first available therapist over the course of your treatment plan, so you end up getting treated by multiple therapists. Many clinics also use physical therapy assistants so that your actual time one-on-one with therapist is limited.
At SetPT, physical therapists are the exclusive evaluation and treatment providers for our patients, and you can schedule all your appointments with one therapist.
6. Will I be one-on-one with the physical therapist?
Some clinics will have therapists schedule two or three patients at a time or even conduct group therapy sessions.
SetPT believes in providing one-on-one physical therapy due to the many benefits it provides for you as the patient. As therapists, we can provide you with our direct attention and focus, which helps us understand your needs, challenges and goals while also getting to know you better.
7. What is my financial responsibility?
You should be able to ask the facility what your financial responsibility would be. With the ever-changing healthcare industry, this can be very challenging but the clinic should be able to estimate your expenses.
At SetPT, we will call and check all benefits prior to the session to help determine all costs associated with treatment. We feel that it is important to help guide patients with this aspect of treatment. Call or contact your desired location so we can follow up with your provider and notify you of your benefits.
Conclusion
If you’ve never experienced physical therapy before, you may not be sure what signs to look for to ensure you receive the best possible care. Your physical therapist will be able to answer any questions regarding reasons for your current condition, providing you with a treatment program or how many sessions your situation warrants.
And by asking these questions up front, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring you get the most out of your first physical therapy experience.
