Editor's note: The author would like to thank Katherine Stone and Jesse Douglas for their contribution to this article.
Sometimes in life, you can have too much of a good thing. Eating too much cake can make you sick, and having too many choices of something can be overwhelming.
This definitely applies to choosing a physical therapy clinic or a wellness center. Many communities have a plethora of options with different features in each facility. Trying to figure out which one is right for you can be a long trial-and-error process.
We at EW Motion Therapy understand how difficult it is to find the right place for your physical therapy or wellness practice. We've worked with thousands of people that are trying to make this decision for the first time. And while we would love if they all chose us, we've also helped people realize when they're better suited to get treatment elsewhere.
We have compiled a few qualities to look for in a physical therapy clinic and qualities of a great wellness center. Keep these qualities in mind during your search, and you will find the right place for you the first time.
What to look for in a physical therapy clinic
There are a few things that should be part of any physical therapy clinic. Whether the facility has a large open gym space, private patient rooms, or a combination of both, there are three essential components you should look for.
A positive environment where you feel comfortable
The culture of a physical therapy clinic should promote putting the patients’ needs first. It should be a positive environment, with helpful, friendly, and interactive staff. Treatment plans should be individualized and focus on teaching you better habits to improve your current lifestyle.
Your therapist should be empathetic, kind, and willing to consider your goals. They should be a good listener who will enter into a long-term relationship with you. This makes physical therapists stand out in the medical field as specialists who can spend more time with patients and build trust.
A personalized experience and approach
When you come in for your sessions, your therapist should be with you the vast majority of the time because a one-on-one approach will ensure you receive a tailored treatment plan and get the most out of your sessions.
Hands-on evaluations and treatments
Your therapist should do a full-body hands-on evaluation centered on movement and function. Based on that evaluation, they may incorporate manual therapy techniques into your treatment to get a literal feel of what is going on in your body. They should also ask questions about your condition and how it is affecting your movement.
Human touch can be pain-relieving, and physical therapists employ this in a unique way. A skilled physical therapist, through manual techniques or hands-on corrective exercises, can help you restore normal movement patterns while decreasing pain and stress.
If you would like more information on finding the right physical therapist for you, feel free to read our article on what to look for in a great physical therapist. It can help you understand how important it is to find the right person to guide you on your physical therapy journey, and it can give you some tips on how to find someone in your area.
What to look for in a wellness center
A wellness center can be a gym with physical therapists and personal trainers, a Pilates studio, a yoga studio, or any other facility that promotes overall health. You should keep a few factors in mind as you explore these kinds of places.
Promotes lifestyle change & sustainability
These facilities should promote a true lifestyle change for their clients, not some fitness/diet fad that promises fast results. Wellness programs should be sustainable for a lifetime. It is foundational that safety and injury prevention are the first priorities in their design. While heavy weight lifting or super intense workouts can be attractive, but for many clients, they have the potential to do more harm than good.
Meet clients where they are
Wellness coaches of any practice should be able to meet clients where they are. For example, a high-impact HIIT workout would probably not be the best solution for a 65-year-old client with arthritic joints. They should also be friendly and motivating, encouraging consistency and holding their clients accountable without talking down to them. No instructor/specialist should act like they know everything, but always be open to new knowledge and improving their practice.
Specialists should be certified in their respective practices by the appropriate governing board and modify their approach for different clients and body types. Knowing how to choose the right personal trainer can be integral to your fitness journey. You are choosing your guide who will instruct you on how to make your body the best it can be, and if you don’t find the right person, you may not have the gym experience that you deserve.
So, how do I choose the right clinic for me?
Now you have some good tips on finding the best physical therapy clinic or wellness center for you. Finding the right place and the right people will help you change your lifestyle and feel better.
Here are some practical steps to choose the right physical therapy clinic or wellness center in your community.
- Go online and search “best physical therapy clinic near me” or “best wellness center for me.” These searches will help you narrow your options to ones that are closest to you.
- After looking over this list, read our article on the differences between national chains and local clinics. Each type of clinic has its pros and cons, and making this decision is critical. This will help you narrow down your options even further.
- Create a list of your top three options.
- Individually research each option on your list.
- Look into the individual physical therapists or personal trainers you might work with at that clinic. Choosing the right physical therapist/personal trainer is an essential step in your journey.
- Choose your top pick, based on price, availability, and other factors that are important to you.
- Call the clinic/center to schedule a consultation or evaluation. If you are getting physical therapy, you might want to get a referral from your doctor before doing this step.
Choosing a facility in your area can be an overwhelming process, but you are taking an essential step toward a lifestyle change once you choose the right place. At EW Motion Therapy, we have been privileged to serve our community for over 20 years. Our unique combination of physical therapy and wellness services under one roof promotes continuity of treatment and sustainability for clients of any age and ability. If you are in the greater Birmingham area or Tuscaloosa and would like to learn more about our integrative programs, fill out our Request an Appointment form on our website, and someone from our staff will contact you within 48 hours with your next steps.
