How to choose the right Physiotherapist for You.

Choosing a physiotherapist is one of those things that we don't think about until we have to. In fact often times we give over the power of choice to someone else simply because we are unsure what we should be looking for and even what questions we should ask to make our choice easier.

Here we will cover some things to look for to make your decision easier so you feel less like you are going on a blind date and more like you are selecting that professional that is just right for your needs.

Expertise

First of all it is always best to get someone that does a lot of work in the area of your injury or with your condition. A specialist has the ability to hone in on the nuances of the condition and help you navigate through your rehabilitative journey easier. Not all therapist focus on one particular area of expertise and physiotherapy and conditions can be wide and varied. This means that different physiotherapists specialize on different areas of the body, different conditions and different fields of study. We are not all the same.

Treatments used

You also should be able to find out more about their treatment philosophy........ will they give you active rest or stop you completely from taking part in your activities. It is always best to work with a therapist that is open to adapting or modifying exercises etc. to meet your stage of recovery. Very few conditions in orthopaedic medicine require you to have absolute rest.

Recommendation

A recommendation from a friend or physician who has used the services before is also important but not a deal breaker. Chances are if you get a recommendation then it is likely that you will be happy with your choice. Also worthy of note, is that you should make sure if you are happy with your choice that you recommend that physiotherapist to your friends and family as well.

Location

Location can be a factor, however, if you know that this therapist is the one that is going to get you the best results then that should be the priority over the location itself. Luckily if you live in Barbados it doesn't take you more than 30 mins to get to most places on the island.

Personality

Personality of your physiotherapist is also important as you will be spending time with them. You want to ensure that this is a person you feel you can trust because of their expertise  but also someone who is fun to be around. This one little thing can make coming to therapy something that you look forward to, instead of dreading.

Check the physiotherapist and by extension the practice out by looking at their websites and social media. This gives you an idea again if this is the clinic for you or whether there is a particular therapist that you may be able to bond with.

No need for a referral

Also, you do not have to have a referral from a doctor to work with a physiotherapist. Physiotherapist can work with you for prevention, treatment and maintenance. Indeed having a physiotherapist is one of the allied health professionals that everyone should have. Who is yours?

Availability

Check for availability of the Physiotherapist ideally you do not want to wait more than 24 - 48 hours to see the therapist. You definitely do not want to be on a waiting list. It is generally easier to deal with a problem when it happens than to wait until it becomes a chronic condition.

Reputation

Check out the reputation of the clinic but seeing what people say about their experience. This can be done by doing a google search or looking at google reviews for the clinic. Here again is where social media activity will also give you an idea about the clinic.

So some points to remember, a poorly selected therapist based on your condition can lead to delayed treatment outcomes, greater cost and feelings of frustration. The therapist you choose should be able to form a plan of treatment to help you to achieve your goals. Especially when these goals are other than getting out of pain.

We at PhysioCare are here to support you. If you need further help with making that important decision of choosing a therapist you can request one of our limited free Discovery visits to see if we are the right fit for you.