Finding the Right Physical Therapist
Finding the right physical therapist for you is like finding the right mental health therapist.
Physical Therapy is not one-size-fits-all, which is a good thing!
Throughout my career, I have worked with people who previously “failed” physical therapy. They came to me, doubtful that I could help them, and as a new clinician, I wasn’t always sure if I could, either.
So, I sat them down, asked questions about what worked and what didn’t work before, and what they were still struggling with. And then I listened.
Before attending PT school, I assumed most health care providers practiced in relatively the same way. One orthopedist, nurse, or PT couldn’t be that different from the other, right? Yet, as I became a provider myself, I noticed different styles, expertise, and philosophies within the PT world.
Even within my classmates, there were those more passionate about working with runners, older adults, or children. Some were more hands-on while others preferred exercise. Some had a gentle approach while others preferred to push their patients.
No approach here is right or wrong, just different - and sometimes different is exactly what a person needs.
After seeing improvement in those who previously failed PT, I started to wonder what was missing from their last experience. Often, it came down to one of two things:
A. The therapist didn’t have the specific expertise needed for their sport/goals
Or
B. The client/therapist fit simply wasn’t the right one
This doesn’t mean their last therapist did anything wrong. A treatment approach could be appropriate but not the right approach for you.
So how do you find the right therapist?
Consider these two things:
Is this person an expert in my needs?
Do I feel supported by this person?
If your goals are to do hard things - weightlift, play volleyball, hike, run, compete - you need a therapist who understands the physical demands of those things and how to prepare your body for them.
If your goal is to feel safe within your body and regain confidence in movement - you need a therapist who understands that pain and injury can affect more than your physical capabilities. (Bonus if you find someone who understands both!)
Just like with a mental health therapist, you should feel safe, heard, and supported by your physical therapist.
Your experiences are unique to you. Your therapist’s job isn’t simply to treat a knee, shoulder, or back. It’s to understand you, build a relationship with you, and guide you toward the things you want to be able to do. Sometimes, that means referring you to someone who is a better fit.
We don’t treat body parts, we treat your whole person. Your fear of reinjury, your stress about work or school, the pressure from your coaches, your inner perfectionist - these all impact how you experience pain, injury, and rehabilitation.
If you feel your rehab has plateaued, or you’ve had PT and felt it “didn’t work”, it might be worth considering if you had the right therapist for you.
I truly believe there is a physical therapist out there for everyone.
It may require some digging and research but…wouldn’t you say you are worth it?
September 18, 2026
Author: Dr. Lauren Bennett, DPT