You've decided Core Physical Therapy is the right choice for your recovery. Now you're wondering: what actually happens at my first appointment? Here's your complete guide so you'll feel prepared and confident.
Starting physical therapy can feel a bit intimidating, especially if you've never been before or if you're dealing with significant pain or mobility limitations. Knowing what to expect helps ease those first-appointment nerves and allows you to get the most from your initial visit.
At Core Physical Therapy, we've designed our first-visit process to be thorough yet welcoming, informative yet comfortable. Here's exactly what happens from the moment you arrive.
A little preparation makes your first visit smoother and more productive.
When you arrive at Core Physical Therapy, you'll be greeted by our front desk staff. They'll help you with any remaining paperwork and answer questions about scheduling, insurance, or billing.
The intake forms ask about your medical history, current medications, previous surgeries or injuries, and what brought you to physical therapy. Be as thorough and honest as possible. Details that might seem unrelated could actually be relevant to your treatment plan.
You'll also review our HIPAA privacy practices and consent for treatment. Take time to read these documents and ask questions if anything is unclear. We want you to feel comfortable and informed about how we handle your information and what treatment involves.
While you're completing paperwork, feel free to look around the clinic. You'll see our treatment areas, specialized equipment like our Pilates reformers and Vertimax, and the spaces where you'll be working during your recovery. We want you to feel comfortable in our environment.
Once paperwork is complete, your therapist will bring you back to a treatment area for your initial consultation. This conversation is a crucial part of your first visit.
Your therapist will start by asking about your current condition: when and how the injury or pain started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried, and how it's affecting your daily life. Be specific about your pain levels, limitations, and concerns.
They'll also ask about your goals. What do you want to get back to doing? Return to sports? Play with your grandchildren? Get back to work? Sleep through the night without pain? Your goals guide your entire treatment plan, so be honest about what matters most to you.
This is also when you can ask your questions. Wondering how long recovery might take? Ask. Concerned about a particular aspect of treatment? Bring it up. Want to know about the therapist's experience with your specific condition? This is the time. There are no silly questions, and we want you to feel informed and comfortable.
The evaluation is the foundation of your personalized treatment plan. At Core Physical Therapy, we conduct thorough assessments that go beyond just the injured area.
Throughout the assessment, your therapist will explain what they're testing and why. If something causes pain, speak up. The goal is to understand your limitations without aggravating your condition.
After completing the assessment, your therapist will sit down with you to discuss findings. This isn't a rushed conversation. We want you to understand what's happening with your body.
Your therapist will explain:
This is educational, not just informational. We'll use anatomical models, diagrams, or demonstrations to help you understand your condition. When you understand what's happening and why, you're more motivated and better able to participate in your recovery.
Based on the assessment and your goals, your therapist creates your individualized treatment plan. This plan is specific to you, not a generic protocol.
Your therapist will explain:
We'll also discuss any precautions, things to avoid while you're healing, and modifications you might need to make to daily activities temporarily.
This is collaborative. If something doesn't make sense or doesn't fit with your life, speak up. The best treatment plans are ones you can actually follow, so we need to know about any barriers or concerns.
Most first appointments include some treatment in addition to evaluation and education. Depending on your condition and time remaining, this might include:
During this first treatment, your therapist is also gauging your response. How do you tolerate different movements? What causes pain and what feels okay? This information refines your ongoing program.
As your appointment progresses, make sure you get answers to important questions:
Good therapists welcome these questions and provide clear, specific answers. If you think of questions after you leave, call the clinic. We'd rather answer questions than have you worry or wonder.
Before you leave your first appointment, you'll schedule your next several sessions. Consistency matters for recovery, so we'll work with you to find times that fit your schedule and allow for appropriate frequency of treatment.
For most acute injuries or post-surgical recovery, we typically recommend 2-3 sessions per week initially, decreasing frequency as you progress. Your therapist will explain what's recommended for your specific situation and why.
We'll also discuss our scheduling policies, how to reach us if you need to reschedule, and what to do if questions or concerns come up between appointments.
As you leave your first appointment, you should feel:
It's normal to feel a bit tired after your first appointment. You've been evaluated, started exercising muscles that may be weak or painful, and processed a lot of information. Be gentle with yourself the rest of the day.
Some soreness over the next day or two is common, especially if you've been avoiding movement due to pain. This should be manageable and different from your original pain. If you're concerned about your response, don't hesitate to call the clinic.
Do your home exercises as instructed. These aren't optional, they're an essential part of your recovery. The work you do between appointments is just as important as what happens during sessions.
From your very first visit, you'll notice what makes Core Physical Therapy different from larger, more impersonal clinics:
Now that you know exactly what to expect, there's no reason to delay starting your recovery. Your first appointment at Core Physical Therapy is the beginning of getting back to the activities and life you love.
We make the process as comfortable and straightforward as possible so you can focus on what matters: healing and regaining function.
Ready to schedule your first visit?
Call Core Physical Therapy at 307-672-5000 or book online at coreptwyo.com.
We accept most insurance plans and offer flexible scheduling including early morning and evening appointments.
Your recovery starts here.
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