There are several levels of certification in P.T. and some specialties within it. For example, the board certified one that works on me has the training to teach it at the specialty level in University teaching hospital. She has board certification in neurology as well. Since she can explain, I can understand why I’m hurting and what I can do to release pain, and improve. I find that it translates into my understanding why my horse is moving/acting the way he is. (It does help that my P.T. is a rider, who understands our horse language. So, when I describe what my horse did, she can take that information and understand what happened to my body as a result.)
In some practices, to have more income, there may be assistants who are delegated to follow the prescribed regime, watch the exercises and move you from one equipment station to another. Be sure to ask each assistant what their training is. Sometimes, it just a high schooler, putting in the time for the pay check. :eek:
As Laurierace has said, a good P.T. stays with you and watches like a hawk to make sure your form is correct through the whole movement. The neuro-path ways have to be re-trained and activated for the correct muscle memory to work.