Physical therapy is a great way to heal after an injury or surgery. Many people use physical therapy to help deal with chronic pain. Because you don’t need a doctor’s referral to be evaluated by a Right Physical Therapist, you might wonder how to choose the best physical therapists in Norman. Here are some tips to find Right Physical Therapist.
Check Available Resources
Although you don’t need a doctor’s referral, your doctor can help you find an Oklahoma City physical therapy office that can treat your needs. If that isn’t an option, always look for a physical therapist who is certified. Your insurance company may have a list of in-network providers, so that is another resource to use.
Do You Need a Specialist?
You wouldn’t call a dermatologist if you broke your ankle. In the same way that doctors specialize in different areas, some physical therapists do too. Know your goals in receiving physical therapy. If you are a senior who wants to feel safer or learn how to deal with mobility issues, you may want to find a therapist who specializes in geriatrics. If you are dealing with a sports injury, you may want to find a therapist who specializes in sports or orthopedics. When you start calling offices to make an appointment, they’ll want to know why you want physical therapy.
Find a Well-Equipped Facility
Physical therapy encompasses many types of therapies, from manual hands-on treatment to exercise or thermal treatment. Some facilities may have more up-to-date equipment than others. You want to make sure that the facility can handle different modalities to get you back to your routine as soon as possible.
Check Availability and Scheduling
Many times, a patient will be required to visit the facility two or three times a week for a few weeks to get treatment. If you have a busy schedule, you’ll want to make sure that the facility can offer the right hours and have available appointment times when you need them. Some facilities are using virtual reality and physical therapy to make it easier to get therapy on your terms.
Does the Facility Take Your Insurance?
While we’d like to think that cost doesn’t matter, it does. Once you’ve found a facility, you should ask whether they take your insurance and what the co-pay is. It may be much less than you realize, so don’t pre-judge. If you’re going to physical therapy after an accident, you may want to discuss how to pay them if you’re planning on getting a settlement.
Your First Appointment
Any Right Physical Therapist will want to do an evaluation before beginning treatment. Be prepared to provide your medical history and limitations to your therapist at the first appointment. You should also discuss any potential problems with your therapist. Know your goals but be open to suggestions from the therapist. After an examination, you and your therapist will discuss a plan to get you to where you want to go. Use this time to make sure you can work with the therapist because you’ll be together for a few weeks.