Choosing a Physical Therapist

Before you report for rehab, consider this.

When you need physical therapy, whether after a stroke, an injury or surgery, don’t pick a therapist blindly or in a rush. Do consider physical therapy before resorting to surgery or taking medications.

“So many patients don’t know there is the wonderful, ultra-conservative treatment [called] physical therapy [that can be used] instead of injections, medications or surgery,” says Erika Comber, owner of Comber Physical Therapy in Williamsburg.

If you do have surgery or an injury, the right physical therapist is a key component to your recovery.

“The first thing to realize is that you do have a choice,” says Kevin Dintino, Richmond regional director for Tidewater Physical Therapy, Inc. “You don’t have to go where your doctor has
recommended.”

Do keep in mind your doctor’s recommendation as you consider other factors. The ideal situation? Your doctor has a good relationship with a specific therapist. An existing working relationship leads to better communication between your physician and the therapist, says Brian Beaulieu, regional director of Tidewater Physical Therapy in South Hampton Roads.

Next, find out whether the physical therapist you’re considering specializes in your particular problem.

“Your neighbor who had a stroke might not have the same needs you do after shoulder surgery,” Beaulieu says.

Some therapists specialize, or are certified in, women’s issues such as incontinence, Dintino says. Others focus on orthopaedic problems and from there may zero in on shoulders, knees or hands. You also should find out how many years of experience the therapist has treating your type of problem, he says.

Do keep in mind your doctor’s recommendation as you consider other factors.

Location is another important concern. You’ll be going to therapy three to five times a week, so a facility near your home, office or along your normal route will make it easier to get to your appointments. Remember, you may be asking family, friends and neighbors to take you to therapy if you aren’t able to drive yet. “If you have to go Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5 p.m., most people want it to be convenient,”
Beaulieu says.

If you’ll need physical therapy after surgery, choose your therapist before you have the operation. Karen Lahnstein of Virginia Beach visited Tidewater Physical Therapy before her total knee replacement to make sure she liked the surroundings and the therapists. “I’m a people person,” Lahnstein says. “I like to meet people first.”

Before you sign up, observe how and where therapists interact with patients. Also, when you survey a location, you get a feel for how crazy or calm a clinic can be, Beaulieu says.

Notes Comber: “A William and Mary athlete would be totally comfortable in a gym setting. But some people would like a more personal, private setting.”

Ideally, your physical therapist should be hands-on, giving you help that you can’t get on your own.

“All clinics are not the same,” Beaulieu says. “That’s one of the largest complaints I get when patients transfer [from another clinic] to me. They tell me, ‘I saw my therapist, and his assistant or technician was the one [working] with me.’ Or, ‘They gave me my exercises and told me to do them.’ If you go to a big, busy location, you may end up doing your exercises alone in a room.”

Once you get past the initial treatment, tell your therapist what activities are important to you, Dintino says. “Say you had a knee surgery, and your big goal is to get back to cycling; I’m going to focus on the high repetitions you need to do,” Dintino says. “If you play tennis or golf, I’ll make sure we have rotational and pivoting exercises in our repertoire. In the end phase of rehab, hopefully the therapist is honing in on getting you back to the activities you love.”

If you already have a physical therapist and you’re not progressing, switch to someone else, Beaulieu says. “If you feel like you’re not in the right place, it’s your prerogative to tell your doctor you are going to change.”

For the best outcome, follow instructions. “Do exactly what your physical therapist says,” Lahnstein says. “Do not goof off or slough off. Do what he tells you to do. I did, and I am now walking proof [that physical therapy works].”