What is Good Physical Therapy?

I often get asked how do you know if your physical therapist is good. Sometimes it can be hard to know what you don’t know. And just like with any healthcare provider, some are very good and some could be better. So how can you determine is you are in the right hands? Follow these tips to determine if you PT is good and right for you.

The care is evidence based: A good PT will look to the latest research and data to develop the best plan of care for your diagnosis. They should also have a deep understanding of your diagnosis or post surgical protocol, and should be able to explain it to you.

There is active listening: One of the most important ways to understand the diagnosis and your health needs is to actively listen. Active listening occurs when the PT is making full eye contact, acknowledging your subjective information, and summarizing it back to you. Getting a full picture of the medical history, diagnosis onset and current symptoms is key to developing the right care.

Communication occurs with your doctor. A good PT will also make sure all your providers are "on the same page" and target the same goals. The PT should send notes and communicate your care, especially if you are post-surgical. Making sure the lines of communication are open with other healthcare providers ensures you get the most seamless care.

For more information about how to find a good PT you can visit our blog at www.saramikulsky.com