Your experience, thoughts and feelings toward the effectiveness of physical therapy will greatly depend on choosing a physical therapist that is right for you. The following are just a few things to consider when narrowing down your options.
You may be skeptical
If you have ever been to a physical therapist before, even if you had a good experience, you may feel like you already know everything there is to know about home exercise programs and stretching. It may seem like a waste of time and money to return to a physical therapist.
Pick PT in Rexburg, Idaho has a team of professionals that could change the way you feel about physical therapy. Choosing the best physical therapist for your specific needs will be the difference between just going through the motions and seeing lasting results.
Qualifications
Obviously whenever it comes to your health and your body, you want someone who has the correct qualifications to help you recover and not put yourself at risk of further injury.
Degree
The standard for physical therapists has recently changed. It is now required for a practicing physical therapist to have a doctorate degree. Don’t worry, though, if you happen to come across a therapist who does not have a doctorate degree that means they have been practicing for a long time and probably have equivalent experience. So with that being said, you can rest assured that a physical therapist has received the proper training and schooling to practice. Which brings us to the next point.
Experience
If most physical therapists have the same level of degree and education, then how do you narrow it down? When seeking out the therapist that will be most beneficial to you and the current problem at hand, you should look for someone with experience and additional training methods in the area of the body where you are having the most difficulty. For example, you wouldn’t want to go to a hand therapist for back pain or vice versa.
Techniques
Along those same lines, there are certain techniques that therapists specializing in a specific part of the body will learn and master. If back pain is something you are seeking relief from, you could look for a therapist that uses the Mckenzie method.
Mckenzie Method
The Pick PT Rexburg physical therapy office has a trained staff that specializes in this method as a non surgical approach to back pain treatment and relief. This method was originally developed in the 1960’s by a physical therapist in New Zealand.
This doctor noticed that elongating the spine could significantly reduce pain. With the assistance of a physical therapist trained in this technique, the spine can be stretched and extended to help move pain away from the extremities of the body.
Comfort
You have probably heard that you should do exercises that you enjoy because feeling stressed while working out has a counteractive effect on your health. In a similar way it is very important to find a physical therapist you are comfortable with.
Your physical therapist is just that, physical. They will be manually manipulating your body with massage, stretch, etc. If you are unable to relax and feel comfortable you are putting yourself at risk of further damage as your therapist tries to work against your body’s rigidity.
You should also be able to talk openly and honestly with your therapist and build trust that will result in your compliance with at home exercises.
Pick PT
The Rexburg physical therapy team at Pick PT has hands down the most qualified physical therapists to help meet your needs and get you the results you are looking for. The combined qualifications, experience and education of the team should help you feel comfortable and confident in your decision.
Ultimately it is important to remember that while all physical therapists are educated to some extent, it is wise to look for someone who specializes in and has experience with your specific ailment and someone that you can feel comfortable with as you endeavor on this journey toward healing.