The First Visit

It may be a little intimidating to come in for your first visit with your physical therapist or functional pain manager. Let's answer a few questions to help you feel more at ease.

    1. How long will the visit be? The first visit is around 45 minutes. We call it an evaluation. We'll ask critical questions, gathering information about your health history, pain, primary complaint, and any other associated health concerns and issues. We'll run some tests for range of motion, flexibility, strength, posture, and mobility. Don't worry; we'll be sure to get in some treatment after the evaluation. The evaluation is very beneficial as it provides us with a baseline to measure progress and goal achievement. Actively participate in the evaluation. We want to work in partnership with you.

    2. What should I bring to my first appointment? We encourage patients to arrive 30 minutes early if they have not filled out any paperwork. If you have filled out paperwork, we ask that you bring it along and arrive 15 minutes before your appointment, allowing us time to review and get you set up in our system. If you have test results, bring those as well. We will take a look at them during the evaluation. 

    3. How should I dress? You often do not need to undress for the physical therapy exam; however, this is body part dependent. We need to see the trouble area. Restrictive clothing may make it a bit difficult to move around. Most patients find that wearing loose-fitting clothing is helpful. We do have shorts in the office to change into if needed.

    4. Are the treatment rooms private? Yes! We have private treatment rooms with doors. There are no treatment tables in our gym area, which is an incredibly unique feature of our clinic.
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After the thorough evaluation, we'll provide treatment based on our findings. We utilize a variety of treatment methods. You can learn more about them on our website under Treatments. By the end of your first visit you should be able to answer these 5 questions: 

1. What is wrong with me?
2. What can I do for this?
3. What can you do for this?
4. Is there anything I shouldn't do?
5. How long will it take for me to get better?

Your first physical therapy visit is the right step to helping you feel less pain and achieve your desired health goals. We strive to provide a positive experience and look forward to seeing you soon.