After you undergo surgery or start recovery from an injury, accident, or illness, physical therapy can play a crucial role in reducing your pain and restoring your mobility. That’s why finding the right physical therapist (PT) is important – especially if you have never tried physical therapy before.

Here are some tips on how to choose a certified physical therapist who can properly address your specific healthcare needs:

• Start by asking for a referral or recommendation. Primary care physicians and family doctors work with a whole network of specialists and can suggest an appropriate therapist. You can also talk with family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers who might know of a skilled PT near you.
• Check out therapists online. You can easily find many therapists with special certifications for the therapy techniques you require. You can also consult the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties website for additional information on PTs with advanced clinical knowledge or skills.
• Consider the PT’s level of expertise and experience. Be sure they are licensed and note whether they have advanced certifications or credentialing, such as OCS (orthopedic certified specialist), WCS (women’s health certified specialist), or SCS (sports certified specialist). The more experience they have under their belt, the more likely they are to achieve the rehabilitative results they need.
  
• Verify whether the clinic has available resources for your particular type of rehabilitation. For example, if you need aquatic therapy or specific adaptive equipment, call the clinic to make sure they offer those services and/or specialized programs, such as hand therapy or stroke rehabilitation.
• Choose a clinic with a convenient location. You may need to see your physical therapist frequently, so find a location that is close to your home or workplace. It will make it much easier for you to make it to your appointments.
• Make sure you and your PT are compatible. The right physical therapist will be someone with whom you can communicate openly and feel comfortable confiding in if you experience pain or discomfort during exercise sessions. If you do not establish a good rapport with your PT, simply request another therapist who might better match your personality.
• Find out what your health insurance covers. You’ll want to pay the least amount of out-of-pocket expenses possible, so check your coverage and have the chosen physical therapist’s office verify that your plan is acceptable.

Certified Physical Therapists in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia

At H2 Health, our highly skilled and experienced team of physical therapists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific needs and goals. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition, we’ll help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible, so you can live your best life.

We treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, orthopedic injuries, headaches and concussions, TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), neurological conditions, lymphedema, and more. Our comprehensive services include:

• Physical therapy
• Balance and dizziness therapy
• Sports medicine
• Massage therapy and dry needling
• Aquatic therapy
• Wound care
• Pelvic care
• Chronic disease management
• Wellness and fitness programs
• Other services

For more information about these wide-ranging services and to schedule your first appointment with your own personal therapist, contact us today. We have over 135 facilities across the United States to serve patients like you!