Last time you were injured did you talk to multiple doctors about it before making a decision about what to do? It’s something we highly recommend, and what many of our clients do; especially in a surgical situation. It’s important to work with someone you trust and that has the experience with your injury to give you the best result possible.
Unfortunately, many people don’t know that one of the most important factors in your post-operative and non-operative results isn’t necessarily from the doctor (although we agree they’re pretty dang important). Patients that get quality, progressive rehab that is specific for the activity they want to get back to doing have the best outcomes. Period.
So, if you would spend many weeks or even months shopping for the right doctor, why would you just go to the closest physical therapy clinic to your house?
You want the best results right?
Sadly, patients that are told to see a PT for an injury are often told where to go based solely on their zip code. The medical assistant types it into their system and if they have a referral pad for a clinic in your area, that’s the one you get. Or even worse, patients choose to go to the closest location to their house or job without ever learning about the therapist they will be working with or what that rehab process might entail.
PT is not created equal. In fact, it may have the highest amount of variability in quality care of any health profession. This is not to say that the therapist down the road is bad, but it’s worth looking into what their background is and what the workflow of that clinic looks like while you’re there.
A few things to look into:
· Does the therapist know anything about the sport or activity you’re returning to?
· Will you be working with a new grad? Or someone with years of experience?
· Will you be passed off to an aide or a tech? Or will the therapist be the one teaching you how to move differently and how to progress through your rehab?
· Do they use ineffective, passive treatment modalities like icing, electrical stimulation or ultrasound during your valuable treatment time?
· Will you be working with the same therapist each session?
· Does the clinic look more like a nursing home or a workout facility?
· Do you have access to your therapist 24/7? Do you have to pay extra to get that?
If you ever have questions regarding the type of care or quality of care you’ll receive, call their front desk and ask! If they can’t answer your questions or give you a bad feeling about the environment you’re about to walk into, keep shopping. Your body and your health depends on it.
If you’d like to speak with one of Streamline’s therapists specifically about your injury or about their experience in treating an injury like yours, you can schedule a consult call with us to chat about it!