CHOOSING A THERAPIST

Is choosing a Physical Therapist important? Absolutely! Inadequate physical therapy can result in injury, tissue damage, loss of motion, stiff joints, prolonged weakness, chronic pain, additional surgeries, prolonged rehabilitation, and loss of function or enjoyment of life. These negative consequences are even more dramatic and prevalent after someone has had surgery.

I have had the opportunity to be in administrative positions for 22 years and have overseen, hired, and worked with hundreds of therapists. I have witnessed the dramatic difference in quality of care among different therapists – from exceptional to inferior. An outstanding therapist must be properly educated by an accredited institution leading to a wealth of knowledge and expertise. However, knowledge without love is useless. I’ve seen many highly educated honor graduates fresh out of school that couldn’t maintain a patient case load because they had difficulty relating and connecting to their patients. A love for people, excellent communication ability, friendliness, experience, and empathy are essential characteristics of the best therapists.

As clinics get larger they often hire new graduates or therapists with little experience. When you call to schedule your therapy, you are often put on the first available new patient slot – leaving it to chance which therapist will be providing you with your care. Unfortunately, the best therapists have lower cancellation and no-show percentages than the other therapists – meaning that their schedules will be filled and it is more likely that you will be scheduled with one of the less successful therapists. We have only experienced therapists at IMPROVE Physical Therapy & Hand Center, LLC.

In addition, some of the area’s larger clinics will have a physical therapist evaluate you and then put you on a physical therapist assistant’s schedule. We don’t believe that is quality healthcare – and therefore, never have and never will follow this practice. When you come to our clinic, the therapist will evaluate you and keep you on his or her schedule – thereby insuring a safer and more effective rehab experience.

Unfortunately, in this day-and-age, several factors may contribute to where your doctor or surgeon refers you to therapy. For example, they may refer you to a physical therapy clinic that is close to where you live thinking that would be more convenient for you. You have a right to choose where you take your therapy – we have excellent relationships with nearly all the area’s referral sources and orthopedic, spine, and hand surgeons. Let them know you’d like an experienced therapist and would like to take your therapy with us. We’re sure they will agree that to be a good idea.

WE RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE THAT NEEDS THERAPY TAKES IT SERIOUSLY AND RESEARCHES WHO IS GOING TO BE EVALUATING AND TREATING THEM. ASK YOUR DOCTOR – FACE TO FACE – “IS THIS THE ABSOLUTE BEST PERSON TO PROVIDE MY THERAPY?”
Get your physical therapy order/ prescription and then give us a call……