Getting the right physical therapist can make a huge difference in how you recover from injury or illness. You will want to choose a therapist that has experience treating your type of injury or illness.
ActiveCare is a highly-respected therapy center with several locations in NYC. Its staff is well-trained and focuses on one-on-one treatments in spacious rooms.
How to Find a Physical Therapist
One of the best ways to find a physical therapist is to ask for referrals from friends and family members. They’ve already vetted the practitioner and can provide insight on their methods and personality.
All physical therapists are prepared through education and clinical experience to manage a wide range of conditions and injuries. However, some practitioners may specialize in a specific condition or age group. Others focus on a certain setting, such as home care or outpatient clinics.
Whether or not the practice accepts your health insurance is another factor to consider. If the therapist is in-network, it could significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Luna makes PT super easy with a simple app, direct billing to your insurance, and care delivered within your home. Unlike most in-person physical therapy practices, there’s no need for a prescription and you can get started right away. Learn more about our telehealth services here.
Types of Physical Therapists
There are several types of physical therapists, each with their own specialties. If you are unsure which one is right for you, it can be helpful to make an appointment with multiple practitioners to find out which is the best fit.
For example, a physical therapist with an interest in neurological disorders may focus on treatment plans for individuals who have conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury. The goal is to help these patients adapt to visual, balance and mobility impairments that may be caused by their condition.
Another type of therapist focuses on cardiovascular and pulmonary issues. These treatments may include the use of therapeutic modalities like ultrasound and electrical stimulation to promote muscle contractions. They can also involve exercises designed to increase endurance and improve overall breathing. This type of therapy is typically done in hospitals.
Specializations
There are many specializations within physical therapy, including (but not limited to) amputee rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary, pediatric, pelvic floor, women’s health and manual therapy. A physical therapist can choose to specialize in one or more of these, but they must usually go through residency training, internships and sit for exams to achieve their specialty certification.
PTs that specialize in cardiopulmonary help patients regain their strength and function after having a heart attack or other cardiac surgery. They will work with patients to assist them in breathing and pulmonary procedures, as well as focus on exercises that help increase their cardiovascular endurance.
PTs that specialize in amputee rehabilitation treat people with missing limbs or who have had amputations to help them manage their pain, mobility issues and anxiety about walking and moving around. They will also teach them how to use prosthetic limbs and other devices like canes. They will also help them with any psychological or emotional trauma that may have occurred due to their injuries.
Certifications
After completing six to seven years of higher education including coursework in anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience as well as clinical rotations students graduate from an accredited physical therapy program and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). Most states then require a license. In addition to passing the NPTE, some therapists also earn specialty certification.
There are eight areas of specialty certification for physical therapists with the most popular being orthopedics, cardiovascular and pulmonary, women’s health, and sports. Specialty certification requires a minimum number of patient care hours in the area of concentration and often participation in an APTA-accredited clinical residency.
Some physical therapists choose to take it one step further and become board certified, showing their expertise in specific areas like orthopedics or sports. This can help them advance their careers and improve patient outcomes. Board certification takes a few years of study and work experience, as well as meeting APTA’s other criteria for earning the title.physical therapist near me
