How to Pick a Physical Therapist Who is Right For Me?

Finding the right physical therapist can put you on the path to reducing pain and restoring your mobility following an injury, accident, surgery or illness.

Know Your Rights

All 50 states and the District of Columbia allow you to contact a physical therapist without a medical referral. (Your insurance policy may require a visit to the primary care physician first or restrict access to preferred providers only.)

If you are referred to physical therapy at the doctor’s office or at a facility in which the doctor has a financial interest, know that you are not required to receive physical therapy at any specific facility. You have the right to choose a physical therapist of your own.

Use these tips to find the right physical therapist for your health needs.

1. Ask for a reference

You may not need a referral from your primary care physician, but you may ask your doctor for advice from a physical therapist or facility. You can also ask your family, friends and colleagues for advice.

2. Choose an appropriate location.

If you’re going to see a physical therapist frequently, choose a location near your home or work place. This will make it easier for you to keep your appointments and keep your care going.

3. Check the resources available.

If you need a specific type of rehabilitation, such as aquatic therapy or specific adaptive equipment, please call to ensure that the physical therapy site you are interested in provides these services. It’s also a good idea to see if some locations offer specialized programs that are specific to your needs, such as stroke rehabilitation or hand therapy.

4. Know Your Insurance Covers.

Check your health plan to determine the specific details of your coverage with a view to paying the least out-of-pocket expenses. Have the Physical Therapist’s Office verify that your plan has been accepted.

5. Evaluate your compatibility.

In helping you succeed, a physical therapist should be your partner. Find someone with whom you have a good relationship and the ability to communicate openly. If you experience pain or discomfort during exercise, feel comfortable alerting your physical therapist.

6. Consider the experience of the Physical Therapist.

Ask how many patients the physical therapist has worked with who has your specific condition. The more experience they have, the better your results are likely to be. Make sure they are licensed and check to see if they have advanced certification or credentialing. Examples of advanced training certifications include OCS (Orthopedic Certified Specialist), SCS (Sport Certified Specialist) and WCS (Women’s Health Certified Specialist).

7. Please contact the Physical Therapist’s Clinic to determine the services offered.

All physical therapists have extensive training and experience. Some PTs treat specific patient groups (paediatrics, geriatrics, sports, women’s health, etc.) or practice in specific settings (home health, outpatient, etc).

8. Ask whether the Physical Therapist will submit claims on your behalf to your insurance company.

Some policies require copayments for services, and the amount of copayment may depend on whether the physical therapist is part of the insurer’s network of providers. You will also have to meet your deductible, which is the portion of the medical costs that you will have to pay before the insurance benefit begins. Physical therapy clinics should be able to help you calculate an estimate of your financial responsibilities, but it is recommended that you contact the insurance company directly before starting treatment to verify the out-of-pocket costs.

Are You Looking for a Physical Therapist Near San Jose You Can Trust?

Pace Physical Therapy in San Jose, California specializes in non-surgical neck pain relief and recovery therapies.  We pride ourselves on offering the best possible physical therapy available and going above and beyond for our patients. Our highly experienced physical therapist will work with you to improve your function and relieve your pain. We start by assessing the body as a whole. Oftentimes the cause of pain or an injury extends far beyond just the body part or muscle hurting. Without taking a comprehensive look at your entire self, we would be doing you a disservice in fully helping you heal and preventing future limitations. We then move on to fixing your areas of limitation.  Not all diagnoses are created equal. One person with neck pain may have completely different limitations than the next person. Your recovery program needs to be specific to what YOUR body needs and not just the typical exercise program that you can find online. Just because your pain decreases or you can walk longer doesn’t mean that it is enough to get you functioning at the level you want to be. While this often signifies the end of care at your typical PT clinic we don’t stop providing guidance until we help you successfully meet every goal you set for yourself with us on day one. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!