7 Things to Look for in a Sports Physical Therapist
and
Questions to ask BEFORE you seek treatment.
by
Dr. Mark Rathjen PT, DPT CSCS
Dr. Claire Rathjen PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
CORE Physical Therapy and Sports Performance, PC 2017
- Is the Therapist experienced? How long have they been practicing? Where have they practiced? Do they have reviews and continuing education? Are they involved in community workshops, lectures or local sports groups ? If you cant find that information, its not a good sign.
- How many years has the clinician been in practice in SPORTS? Its one thing to have 20 years experience, but if the first or last 10 years were spent in another genre, or only seeing 20% athletes at the clinic, how much experience do they really have? Athletic populations are by far the most complex group of patients to work with because of the specialized training and mechanics analysis they need. IF they don’t live, breathe, eat, and sleep sports physical therapy, look else where.
3. Is the Therapist certified in Sports Performance? Is the clinician familiar or practicing with credentials from the NSCA or ACSM? if not, do they really understand the mechanics of training for your particular sport? Do they know resistance training? programming for running, lifting or speed? do they know the mechanics of each? can they DEMONSTRATE them properly?
4. Is the Therapist active in Sports and has an active lifestyle? Does your therapist practice what they preach? Do they compete? Are they providing race or event coverage? Are they treating 80% athletes everyday? If the answer is NO to any of these questions, please find a MORE experienced Therapist!
5. Is the Therapist part time? If a clinician is part time, how much experience do they have with a complicated population of athletes? Do they have a vested interest in a speedy recovery? Are they easy to access for treatment or information? Would you want a part time surgeon?
Or do you want your Sports Therapist to live and breathe and eat what they do?
6. Where does the Physical Therapist practice? Regardless of experience levels, does your Therapist have the facility and equipment to propel you to a full recovery? If hot packs and thera-bands are the focus of your treatment, look elsewhere.
If you are going to a patient treatment assembly line, or chain clinic, look elsewhere! You need REAL equipment, real space and advanced training techniques.
7. Does the Therapist use assistants or Techs with treatments? If so, do you want to see the same person for every treatment, or move around seeing different people every time? Studies have proven multiple times that the more people involved in your recovery, the less communication that happens, less desirable discharge outcomes occur, and MORE patient visits occur per episode of treatment. IF you want FULL recovery, make sure to see the same, DOCTOR of Physical Therapy, every visit, every time.
The CORE difference?
At CORE, we have broken new ground in our field by creating a unique facility and environment for our patients to have a full recovery, in an efficient manor. CORE does not use any assistants or techs, and you will see the same Doctor a Physical Therapy every time. The therapists hold advanced certifications in their fields and in strength and conditioning,
providing a full spectrum multifaceted approach.
CORE is involved with the GOATz trail running organization, Race Omaha organization, and partners with local cross-fit and powerlifting gyms in town to provide coverage and assessments to athletes. We also provide race day triage and pre-race treatments in our community.
Dr. Claire and Dr. Mark at CORE Physical Therapy live, breath, and sleep our profession and commitment to our athletic populations. We have one of the most advanced facilities in town, with a full line of strength and conditioning equipment, as well as 80ft of indoor turf.
We are different from the norm. We built our clinic with our own hands. We own the clinic as if it were our first born child. We love working with athletes because it is
WHO we are, and it is WHAT we love to do
