I don't have a PT recommendation with regards to selection, but I do have one with regards to expectations. Since you've stated you need help in selection and haven't had any surgeries since childhood, I'm going to make an assumption that you are a rookie with regards to going to PT. I also would bet there are probably other reading that this might help too.
So if you're a rookie at PT, I'm at least at the amatuer level or a serious hobbyist. Unfortunately I've had five different PTs across several years (4 in the last ten), for 4 surgeries and 3 injuries. Fortunately, All but the first one was exceptionally good. The first one pigeon holed my into needing what he just went to a seminar for and was wrong. It was 20 years ago and he was young and has proven to be the exception. I only bring this up so you know that like any other profession, some people suck and/or make a mistake; PTs are human too. However, when you find a good one, nurture that relationship because they can get you to do things you didn't think you would be able to do again.
The last two (only reason for the change was the previous moved away) had more letters after their names than in their names and I think the world of them. Both were also the clinics manager/director. The current one gets me pretty good and we work well together. I do see other members of the staff there now and again but it usually because of a scheduling conflict or like the past two weeks because he's on vacation.
Sometimes they will tell you to do things, or not do things, that makes NO sense to you. Don't fret, this is their profession and they have spent several years studying things that make no sense to you; embrace it.
After a surgery or injury, sometimes you have to do baby steps either though you used to be able to take giant leaps. Other times you will do things that you think have nothing to do with what you're there for. Everything in the body is connected and that odd thing might just have the biggest impact.
I had an injury when I was in my late 20s that I thought we get better by itself because I was young and stupid. 20 years later it was the root cause of the way I moved, pain, the compensating movements I did and atrophy in some muscles. When that was addressed and I relearded how to use my shoulder muscles (via baby steps) all the previous compensation went away aside from something that had become habit (i.e. opening a tight jar with my left hand even though I'm right handed because my right was useless for so long). This is a habit and not a capability. I bring this up because sometimes PT will percolate things to the surface that might not be the reason why you are there, but might be limiting your progress and need to be addresses as well.
Do the work. If you're going 2 or 3 times a week with the expectation you are doing things at home as well, make sure you do them. Also make sure you don't do more than they recommend without firs talking to them. My current issue is a tore my rotator cuff (africkingain!!!) and during early PT, it is very easy to undue what the surgeon just corrected. So when they tell you it will be 12 weeks before any strength building, it is for a very good reason, even though you "feel" like you can do it.
Ask questions and help them educate you. This will help with regards to maintain a healthy body and even though you might be done with going to PT, it isn't a bad idea to still do the exercises now and again or incorporate them into your workout routine. When you understand why something is going on or has to be done, you'll be helping your current and future self.
Expect a lot of questions from them that deserve good answers. They can't feel what you are feeling and depending on what is occurring, they have different approaches to take. I try to be as descriptive as possible and make sure I'm answering the question they are asking; like when they ask "tell me when you feel this?" I ask a clarifying question of "when I feel it stretch/pinch/tingle or when I start to feel pain?" Usually they ask for a specific but now and again they might not so it is good to clarify. For me things like this happened when I was first being seen this time and they were working on my ROM or from another issue I have with my C7 stenosis and they are using the TENS on me.
My significant other is the worst PT patient. She hates being asked questions and would give one words answers and left them guessing all the time and had a bad attitude about PT before she even went ("its stupid and a waste of time.") This limited her progress and it ended up being a self fulfilling prophecy. We are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to PT. Don't be like that.
That's all for now. Have to go to work
Have fun and heal well,
Ken
So if you're a rookie at PT, I'm at least at the amatuer level or a serious hobbyist. Unfortunately I've had five different PTs across several years (4 in the last ten), for 4 surgeries and 3 injuries. Fortunately, All but the first one was exceptionally good. The first one pigeon holed my into needing what he just went to a seminar for and was wrong. It was 20 years ago and he was young and has proven to be the exception. I only bring this up so you know that like any other profession, some people suck and/or make a mistake; PTs are human too. However, when you find a good one, nurture that relationship because they can get you to do things you didn't think you would be able to do again.
The last two (only reason for the change was the previous moved away) had more letters after their names than in their names and I think the world of them. Both were also the clinics manager/director. The current one gets me pretty good and we work well together. I do see other members of the staff there now and again but it usually because of a scheduling conflict or like the past two weeks because he's on vacation.
Sometimes they will tell you to do things, or not do things, that makes NO sense to you. Don't fret, this is their profession and they have spent several years studying things that make no sense to you; embrace it.
After a surgery or injury, sometimes you have to do baby steps either though you used to be able to take giant leaps. Other times you will do things that you think have nothing to do with what you're there for. Everything in the body is connected and that odd thing might just have the biggest impact.
I had an injury when I was in my late 20s that I thought we get better by itself because I was young and stupid. 20 years later it was the root cause of the way I moved, pain, the compensating movements I did and atrophy in some muscles. When that was addressed and I relearded how to use my shoulder muscles (via baby steps) all the previous compensation went away aside from something that had become habit (i.e. opening a tight jar with my left hand even though I'm right handed because my right was useless for so long). This is a habit and not a capability. I bring this up because sometimes PT will percolate things to the surface that might not be the reason why you are there, but might be limiting your progress and need to be addresses as well.
Do the work. If you're going 2 or 3 times a week with the expectation you are doing things at home as well, make sure you do them. Also make sure you don't do more than they recommend without firs talking to them. My current issue is a tore my rotator cuff (africkingain!!!) and during early PT, it is very easy to undue what the surgeon just corrected. So when they tell you it will be 12 weeks before any strength building, it is for a very good reason, even though you "feel" like you can do it.
Ask questions and help them educate you. This will help with regards to maintain a healthy body and even though you might be done with going to PT, it isn't a bad idea to still do the exercises now and again or incorporate them into your workout routine. When you understand why something is going on or has to be done, you'll be helping your current and future self.
Expect a lot of questions from them that deserve good answers. They can't feel what you are feeling and depending on what is occurring, they have different approaches to take. I try to be as descriptive as possible and make sure I'm answering the question they are asking; like when they ask "tell me when you feel this?" I ask a clarifying question of "when I feel it stretch/pinch/tingle or when I start to feel pain?" Usually they ask for a specific but now and again they might not so it is good to clarify. For me things like this happened when I was first being seen this time and they were working on my ROM or from another issue I have with my C7 stenosis and they are using the TENS on me.
My significant other is the worst PT patient. She hates being asked questions and would give one words answers and left them guessing all the time and had a bad attitude about PT before she even went ("its stupid and a waste of time.") This limited her progress and it ended up being a self fulfilling prophecy. We are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to PT. Don't be like that.
That's all for now. Have to go to work
Have fun and heal well,
Ken
