Your First Visit

If you are using physical rehabilitation to recover from surgery or injury, or are using the treatment as part of an adjunct therapy program, your first visit will be crucial to getting started on the right foot. Many initial physical therapy appointments proceed in the same manner, Most begin with an introduction to the therapist who will be overseeing your rehabilitation and a thorough evaluation of your injury or debilitating condition. Though your first visit may not entail any exercise or range of motion tests, it’s a good idea to dress in cool, comfortable clothing just in case.

Your first visit is essentially an information-gathering session in which the therapist will ask questions about you overall health, past medical conditions and the nature of your current injury. Being upfront with your therapist is very important since they can’t help you if you don’t tell them what’s wrong. Being specific about pain, where it hurts and how it feels, is imperative for a physical therapist to do their job correctly. With rehab programs you’re only going to get out of it what you put into it. Therapists can have tons of charts and medical records, but without your honesty the success of the treatment may be limited.

To save yourself any delays or hassles when visiting, make sure to have your insurance coverage taken care of. Don’t wait until arriving at the front desk to ask if the clinic accepts your insurance. When a doctor refers you to a physical therapist the first thing you need to do is ensure that the service will be fully or partly covered by your insurance provider. Physical therapy can be expensive and it’s best to get the insurance taken care of before you make your first appointment.