We all should have -  and do have, access to great physical therapy. I know that’s a broad statement but I believe it’s true.

Some of us access care through an HMO organization or insurance, some through our PPO group that we are in network with, private insurance or private pay.
All of these access points require one thing in common - be your own Advocate!  Do a bit of research and have a say in who you see for PT or any other healthcare services.

So what got me started on this topic? 

Hearing from patients about experiences with past PTs where they did not feel they received skilled therapy.  Maybe the first day and the evaluation were ok,  but the follow up sessions were unsupervised and the patient did not receive any skilled corrections or instruction. If manual therapy was provided it was not explained. At least that was the patient’s perceived experience - and yes - that matters! It’s important for us to connect with our patients and be on the same page.
This saddens me since I know that physical therapy is a great and useful profession and I don’t like this trend!

As physical therapists it is our job to do a thorough evaluation and follow with skilled physical therapy sessions at which we regularly reassess our patient’s condition. If needed we provide manual therapy and we educate and instruct the patient through the phases of rehab. This may include so many more things then I list here:  mind body awareness, pain education, manual therapy,  exercise education, prevention,  management of a chronic condition, taping, activity specific training  etc….
Also - we need to understand the scope of our own knowledge and skills and be ready to refer patients out who need a different type of care.

I don’t know why I hear more of this type of feedback these days but I will take a guess that at least sometimes, it is related to the ever mounting pressure on PTs to have high productivity  (see more patients in less time)  and the ever increasing paperwork involved.
On that note - I still work two days a week in a very busy, mainstream PT clinic - and I love it.  I am happy to report that even in this environment it is possible to provide quality care.  Of course it manifests differently than in my private practice where I take one hour with each patient and have a break between each one in case I need a few extra minutes.

For me it is important to still stay connected to what  happens in mainstream PT - the format, pressures and all!  There are patients I see there that would not seek out a niche practice or specialty care, and some who don’t know what PT is until they arrive at their first appointment.

OK - long story short:)   If you need PT,  or are going to PT and are not happy with your care - take charge and be your own advocate!!!  Even if you are seeing a PT within an HMO or PPO setting you can still ask questions and choose your provider. 

If you are seeing someone who greets you nicely and disappears,  leaving you to do your exercises on your own - ask for a PT who will work more closely with you to show and teach you things you can’t already get off the internet.  We are all different and require modifications and variations that work for us - this should be reflected in our PT program.

Manual therapy is an excellent tool in rehab and recovery - I recommend looking for a PT with a background of orthopedics and manual therapy - besides having great manual skills, they often have great skills in assessing your injury and knowing what’s needed.

This approach of being our own advocate applies to all our health care needs.  We deserve to take the time and research our caregivers.  I think often people do more research for their car mechanic etc.. and think they have no option with healthcare providers.

Well we do have a choice - and it’s worth doing the groundwork to establish a healthy trust between you and your PT, MD etc..

It takes a bit of time and leg work - but it’s worth it!

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