The act of locating the best Parker physical therapist can be a challenge, as there are seemingly endless numbers of clinics to sift through in order to find the one that fits your needs. Often times, you will be looking for a clinic after a serious accident and perhaps insurance will play a key role. Or perhaps you will have to pay out of pocket and you will be looking for a clinic that not only fills your specific injury needs but will also provide you with affordable services. Unfortunately, physical therapy can often be an expensive service to utilize, as clinics must meet their own financial needs during the course of business. Here are some of the things you should think about prior to entering physical therapy.

What Are Your Treatment Goals?

Of course, entering physical therapy rehab with a trusted Parker physical therapist means you are aiming to get better and return to your former condition. This is an obvious part about rehab, as everyone who is entering physical therapy has the goal of improving some part of their physical situation. However, it is important to get a clear sense where you would like to see yourself in a specific time frame after entering treatment and what you would like to receive from treatment. Not every individual will have the same treatment goals with the same type of injury, as you may be at a different level of activity and physical fitness level as someone else with the same injury.

For instance, a person who has recently injured their leg may not have the same treatment goals as a professional skier who has recently injured the same part of their body. For a professional athlete, their treatment goals may be dramatically different and require much more intensive rehab and exercises to help them to return to their former physical condition as a soon as possible, allowing them to compete on the professional stage. For a person who is not a pro athlete, simply being able to walk and engage in light physical activity within the same time period may be your goal instead of needing to hit the slopes and compete professionally.

These factors can also change depending on your age level as well as any other physical conditions or limitations you may be dealing with. A person in their 70’s will have a much different treatment plan and goals compared with someone who is in their 20’s, and their treatment plan will require much different levels of intensity in order to achieve these goals. Whatever your situation may be, it is important to have a clear understanding of what you are hoping to achieve by entering physical therapy and hiring a trusted Parker physical therapist to help you along the way, as this will let them know what you need and what they should focus on in your recovery process.

How Long Will The Process Take and What Are Realistic Expectations

In life, one of the most important mindsets to maintain is to keep your expectations realistic in order to make sure you don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Although we all slip up from time to time and set expectations that are far outside of our reach, it is important to set goals that are within the realm of possibility and can actually be attained. One of the key components to setting goals is to be specific and set goals that are attainable, and this is no different when it comes to your physical therapy treatment. You should have a sense of what you hope to achieve and talk with your Parker physical therapist about when you can expect to achieve your stated goals by. 

Being left in the dark will leave you wondering if you will ever return to your former self and create a lot of anxiety and stress regarding your health situation. A trusted Parker physical therapist should always communicate with you regarding what to expect and where you need to be at during the course of your treatment. It is not just a matter of showing up to treatment and going through the motions, as this is a recipe for being disengaged and less participatory during the process. Having a clear understanding of what comes next will help you become more engaged in the act of your treatment and will give you a sense of clarity about where you are in the rehab process.

Will The Parker Physical Therapist Listen to My Feedback?

In the world of medicine, there are unfortunately many practitioners who would rather lecture their clients and tell them they know better than them in every situation, which is something that you as the patient should not have to tolerate. Instead, you will want to work with a physical therapist who will listen to your needs and actually be responsive with regards to your feedback. For instance, if you are experiencing an excessive level of pain as a result of a particular exercise, you will want to let your physical therapist know what’s going on so they can adjust the practice as needed. A physical therapist who will not listen to their client regardless of the feedback is someone you should avoid at all costs. 

If you are in need of physical therapy, or have questions about what physical therapy consists of, contact Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness today and we will be happy to assist you with your first steps towards recovery. We have an extensive team of qualified physical therapists and specialists who care deeply about their clients and go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the highest quality treatment in the industry. If you are looking for a therapist who will carefully assess your individual needs and formulate a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your needs, Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness is your preferred choice for the physical recovery process.