Telltale Signs That You Should Find a New Physical Therapist
Whether you’re looking to recover from a recent injury or simply want to take substantial strides forward in your physical health, physical therapy is the number one resource. With the guidance of a qualified professional, these appointments help you learn more about your body’s capabilities and how to strategically push them to improve performance. However, like any other type of treatment, the quality of your physical therapy sessions depends heavily on the expertise of your chosen professional.
The qualified individuals at Therapydia are among the many brilliant physical therapists in this field. They specialize in one-on-one patient care, longer visits with patients, and focus strongly on education. Therapydia supports patients through a lifetime relationship that supports them even when they are not currently dealing with an injury. If the physical therapist you are currently working with does not do these things, it may be time to look elsewhere. Be on the lookout for these telltale signs that you should find a new physical therapist so that you can ensure you get the treatment you rightfully deserve.
Making an Appointment Is Difficult
Believe it or not, you can tell whether a physical therapy practitioner is worth your time by how difficult it is to get an appointment with them. Those working in this industry understand that immediate care is the key to relieving potentially painful symptoms and, therefore, go the extra mile to make this process as smooth as possible. You shouldn’t need to call several times in a week to find a time slot, nor should you need to accommodate their schedule. After all, you’re the one in need of assistance following an injury or surgery. So, if your current practice is telling you to wait a couple weeks or more for availability, you’re better off going elsewhere.
Improper Billing and Claims Filing
You should also consider moving to a different physical therapy practice if you experience any issues with your billing or claims filing after your appointment. Since many physical therapists receive payment from third-party insurance companies, it’s vital that the documents describing your treatment depict your appointments accurately. Otherwise, either your insurance provider or you could end up spending more than necessary for your care. While mistakes like these can happen, consistent discrepancies could suggest wrongdoing, making it vital that you seek out a more trustworthy team of professionals. Luckily, Therapydia accepts most major insurance policies, making it easy for you to receive the care you need.
Lack of Personal Attention to Your Needs
Physical therapy looks slightly different to every person who walks into a clinic. While some are there to manage their pain following an injury or surgery, others might simply need help with improving their body’s overall physical health. Either way, you’ll need a customized plan and a physical therapist that’s willing to take these needs into account. As such, if your current physical therapist doesn’t want to adjust their core practices to suit your requirements, you won’t gain much by staying with them.
No Rapport With Your Therapist
Likewise, you want a physical therapist who’s willing to develop a professional rapport with their clients. The process of strengthening your body and improving balance doesn’t happen overnight. Because of this, you’ll have a lasting relationship with your physical therapy professional as you work towards your goals. This means they should go the extra mile to get to know you and understand how you think. This way, you’ll feel as comfortable as possible when working with them. So, if you can’t communicate your needs and ideas to them without rejection, or you simply can’t get along with them in general, it’s time for a change.
Therapist Isn’t Professionally Licensed
One of the biggest red flags you should be on the lookout for is the lack of a professional license. The human body is a complex machine, and only those sufficiently educated in its inner workings can provide the proper treatment. Working with unqualified individuals can stunt your improvement, or even make your symptoms worse in the long run. For this reason, you should always ask to see a physical therapist’s qualifications prior to booking an appointment with them.
They Only Perform Passive Treatments
Another telltale sign that you should find a new physical therapist is the preference of passive treatments over more active practices. Procedures such as ultrasound, traction, or massage are incredibly beneficial for gathering information and relieving discomfort in the moment. However, they don’t help with improving your mobility, flexibility, or the root of your initial condition. For you to get the most out of your treatment, you want a professional that performs active treatment in the form of exercise and deliberate movement. This way, your body is working and expanding its capabilities with each practice.
Appointments Led by Less Qualified Staff
Make sure you consider moving on as well if the bulk of your treatment doesn’t involve a trained physical therapist. When practices overbook their professionals, you may only receive 15 minutes of direct interaction with them before getting passed along to someone else. This is very harmful to your progress as it’s much harder for your physical therapist to get to know you and your specific needs. Additionally, less-trained staff don’t have the ability to perform the higher-level exercises you might need. Therefore, it’s impossible to get the maximum amount of care out of these sessions.
You Aren’t Making Any Progress
Above all, you might want to switch to a different physical therapist if you aren’t noticing any progress. Even if your treatment plan takes several months or years to finish, you want to see some level of progression along the way. This could mean the easing of your previous pain or a change in how well you can move when performing everyday tasks. If you’ve been working with a physical therapist for some time now and haven’t seen any noteworthy improvements in your performance or comfort, you might benefit more from another opinion.
If you’re interested in working with a physical therapist that will work with you according to your unique goals and needs, we at Therapydia are the team for you. Our Saratoga physical therapy professionals don’t just want to treat your discomfort in the moment. The team at Therapydia cares about your long-term health, and we pride ourselves on providing our clients with resources they can use in any phase of their lives. Our physical therapists are highly-trained, doctorate-level physical therapists who focus on personalize treatments and in-depth one-on-one care. Contact us today to gain not only a qualified physical therapy professional, but a partner that’ll help you navigate this journey to peak physical health.
