How to Choose a Physical Therapist

The best way to choose a physical therapist is through a referral from your physician or pain team member who has dealt with a clinic and had good results. However, sometimes, you are on your own.

You can google APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) and then drop down to Find a PT. Click on Find a PT and then put in your zip code. A list of physical therapists will come up. You can then read about them and contact them by phone or visit their clinic.

Physical therapists work in varied settings, including hospitals, private clinics, and home health. You will most likely schedule with a private practice, although some hospitals provide outpatient physical therapy and have therapists who specialize in treating pain.

Physical therapists have varied training. Some specialize in sports injuries, some in orthopedics, and others in pediatrics that focus on pediatric neurological disorders. Look for a physical therapist who has experience working with chronic pain. Many physical therapists have backgrounds working with adults with chronic pain but not with children. If you cannot find a PT with experience working with pain in the pediatric population, talk with the prospective PT and see if they are willing to connect with another PT with expertise in this area. They will be a good match if they are open to learning from another colleague or pain team member.

It is also helpful to stop by the clinic and observe the flow. You can get an idea of how the clinic runs and if you feel that your child will be comfortable there. Ask how many patients the therapist sees in an hour. Due to decreasing insurance reimbursements, many clinics have therapists treat 3 to 4 patients per hour. If able, look for a clinic that sees 1 to 2 patients per hour. For a one-on-one experience, you may need to see a therapist on a cash basis.

The physical therapy profession has changed over the past 40 years, including education, which can be confusing to the public. Physical therapists licensed by the state will have PT behind their names. Other initials may follow the licensure. MPT indicates a master's in physical therapy, and DPT indicates a doctorate in physical therapy.

The profession initially required a bachelor’s degree, then changed to a master’s degree. Currently, all new graduates have a doctoral degree. Some therapists will be board-certified by the American Physical Therapy Association. The letters OCS indicates board certification in orthopedics. Other board specialties include women’s health, pediatrics, and sports. Most therapists with a background in pain specialize in orthopedics. However, if your child has pelvic pain, pursue a therapist in women’s health.

Ultimately, the most essential component when choosing a PT is to find one that connects with your child. The physical therapist should be empathetic and supportive and empower your child to progress with their function.