What to look for in a good Physical Therapist

Posted on by ashleydelobel

Most of the time, physical therapists are good people who are looking out for your best interests. But just like in any profession, there are going to be good and bad ones. You may have a PT that is wanting to get you in and out as quickly as possible or is looking just to get as many patients as possible in during the day and never even talks to you. These are not qualities of a good PT. 

I have had a few patient’s come to me and the first thing that they mention is their bad experience with a previous PT. In these instances, I try my hardest to change their mind and give them a much better experience than the one before. 

Some qualities to look for in a PT, that are more than just someone who is knowledgeable, are

  • Introducing themselves properly
    • You should have no doubt of their name and title.
    • They should also introduce you to other members of the team: PTA’s, technicians, and other PT’s
  • They spend the time with you to understand your individual needs 
    • Every patient is different. Every injury is different. Your PT should be spending adequate time with you to get to know your injury.
    • There are times the PT is busier than usual, for instance if someone calls in sick those patients scheduled that day still need to be seen or if a patient shows up late/early for the appointment. During these times, please be patient, we will give you your time.
  • They seem genuinely concerned about your pain or injury and want to get you better. 
    • If a PT only evaluates you for a couple of minutes, this is not enough time to really recognize what is going on. It is also not enough time to treat you properly.
  • They go over your goals and the plan of care with you.
    • Every patient has goals (it could be as simple as get rid of my pain and complex as returning to a sport) but your PT should discuss what your goals are and help you achieve them.
    • The plan of care is the plan that will be followed to allow you to meet those goals. 
  • The PT explains the injury or cause of your pain.
    • You should leave the initial evaluation with answers to all questions. The PT should explain how you were most likely injured and how to avoid it in the future. 
  • They give you an HEP (home exercise program).
    • Every patient that I evaluate will get exercises to do at home. Usually. people come to PT the first day and are in some kind of pain. Even if all I give you is a couple of stretches to do, giving you something to do on your first day means the PT listened to you and your needs. 
  • The PT should also be doing manual therapy on patients.
    • Manual therapy is what the PT will perform on you.
      • For example: stretching, passive range of motion, joint mobilizations, dry needling, soft tissue mobilization. 
    • There are instances when manual therapy does not need to be performed but for the most part; manual therapy is an important aspect of PT. 

Now these are what you should expect out of a PT but we as PT’s expect our patients to do their part in their recovery.

  • For one, show up to your appointments and show up on time.                   
    • I understand life happens and sometimes you have to cancel, or you might be a few minutes behind, but do not make this a habit. Our time is just a precious as yours and other patients could have come at that time.
  • Do the work!
    • You have to put in work to get better. You are not magically going to get better after one visit, it will take time. As long as you perform the exercises, receive the manual therapy and are consistent with the home exercises, you will get better.
  • We are not miracle workers.
    • If we were so many more people would attend PT. It will take some effort on your part to improve your symptoms.
  • A major pet peeve for me is a patient telling me that massage is the only thing that works for them. We are not massage therapists! Yes, there are times that soft tissue work will be done to help someone but do not come in expecting a hot stone massage.

My recommendation if your PT does not do this for you is to find a new one! I have personally worked for companies that I consider to be on the not good list. I did not last with them because that is not the philosophy I want to live by.