Who chooses where I go for physical therapy?

It certainly has been a long time since my first post. It was an experiment that I did not follow up on until now. I have come across a very common question that I figured I would answer here:

"Where can I go for physical therapy?"

I am the co-owner of a private physical therapy practice in West Hartford, CT. We have a very loyal following. I feel we have this following because we do things differently. Our focus is on patient care not volume of patients, and that separates us from many of our competitors. How does this brief "pat-on-the-back" lead into the question posted above? Let me see if I can make the connection.

It is no secret that physicians referring patients to physical therapy is how our system works. Most companies that I have worked for had their top 3. Top 3 referring physicians. I can honestly say that my number 1 referral source is past patients, not a list of referring physicians.

When a patient is returning to see me for pain, functional loss, or post surgery, they always say, "my physician tried to tell me I had to go to his physical therapist, but I told him that I was going to see Paul." Is that possible? A physician writes a prescription for physical therapy with a company logo on it, and you go elsewhere?

You, the patient and consumer have the option to see any physical therapist you choose. As we all do with our healthcare, make sure the physical therapist is listed as a provider in our insurance network, then we begin treatment.

Answer these questions the next time you see a physical therapist:

1. Are you receiving good care (service)?

2. Do you see only one physical therapist or physical therapy assistant?

3. Are you happy where you are receiving care?

4. Do you have fun during your treatment sessions?

The bottom line is you are the most important referral. You need to be happy with where you select to receive physical therapy treatment. If you are not satisfied with your service, it is your right to seek physical therapy services that are right for you.

Using physical therapy as a springboard to a healthier lifestyle

While providing outpatient treatments, whether low back, knee, shoulder or wherever the pain is stemming from, I am often asked, “If I were in better shape, could I have avoided this injury?”

That is a very challenging question to answer. That is similar to saying, “If I did not wear
that baseball cap when I was achild, would I now have hair?” What I can tell you is this:
● healthier tissue heals
faster

● healthier tissue heals
stronger

● healthier lifestyle can be a
key component to
longevity

● healthier lifestyle can be a
key component to fewer
aches and pains

● healthier lifestyle can help
maintain overall function

I am sure you are wondering how physical therapy ties into all of this. You can begin your healthy lifestyle habits in physical therapy. A licensed physical therapist can prescribe an exercise program to get you on your way to a healthy lifestyle. Physicians can certainly prescribe physical therapy for deconditioned muscles, painful joints, decreased flexibility and/or functional loss. You need not be in pain to see a physical therapist. What if I told you that we could help with your weak back, tired legs, teach you new ideas to add to your workout program or teach you how to exercise for the first time?

Does this now motivate you to seek a physical therapist for professional guidance?
I urge you to take the proper steps to begin a healthier lifestyle.