A great physical therapist must be paired with a great clinical setting. You cannot have one and not the other. You have some great physical therapists that are unable to deliver the highest level of care because of time constraints and high numbers. The following is a few key things to look for when calling around for care.
Top questions to ask:
- How long has your physical therapist been practicing?
- How many patients does your physical therapist schedule per hour? 2=great, 3 is good, 4 is a factory.
- Is your physical therapist Board Certified?
- Are you being treated by a licensed physical therapist?
- Will I be treated by the same physical therapist each visit?
- Does your physical therapist treat every possible condition from a patient who had a stroke to one following surgery after a spinal fusion. In my experience physical therapists who specialize in certain select areas simple get better results over time. “Jack of all trades.. Master of none!”
This doesn’t guarantee success but hedges your chances of better care. Most of my patients come from either Wyckoff or Ridgewood, NJ. In these areas you have lots of physical therapists to choose from. So be selective, ask a few questions and stop by a few clinics prior to starting. More tips to come on getting the best physical therapy care in upcoming posts!
Tom Willemann
Tom Willemann is a premier physical therapist based out of Bergen County, New Jersey. He holds an MS in physical therapy from the University of Miami, is credentialed in the world-renowned McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), and holds an OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) certification. As of 2018, there are approximately 14,000 ABPTS certified specialists in the nation and less than 400 of them are located in the state of New Jersey.
Tom is the owner and director of Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus. He opened the clinic, which specializes in spine and sports injury prevention, in 2004 after many years of experience in the field. Tom’s caring interest in others and his strong belief in continuity of care, combined with his clinic’s ability to find solutions for the most difficult orthopedic problems, have earned Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation its excellent reputation with patients and medical professionals in northeastern New Jersey and beyond. A true “family man,” Tom takes pride in his clinic’s warm and welcoming environment.
Latest posts by Tom Willemann (see all)
- Understanding the McKenzie Method: A Comprehensive Guide - October 18, 2024
- Can physical therapy help an old Injury? - August 18, 2024
- Do you have pain on the inside of your ankle? It could be a posterior tibial tendon problem - June 18, 2024