What to Expect at Your First Physical Therapy Appointment 

Not sure what to expect at your first physical therapy appointment? You’re not alone. Starting physical therapy for the first time can feel a little intimidating, especially when you are not sure what will happen during your evaluation.

The good news? Your first visit is not a test; you don’t need to know exactly what is wrong before you walk through the door.

At Advantage Physical Therapy, with locations in Falls Church and Reston, Virginia, we use your first appointment to learn more about you, understand what you are experiencing, and create a treatment plan that is customized to your goals.

Whether you are recovering from surgery, dealing with an injury, managing ongoing pain, or simply having through moving the way you want to, we are here to help you take the next step.

Do I need a doctor’s referral for physical therapy?

One of the most common questions people have before starting physical therapy is whether they need to see their doctor first.

In Virginia, patients generally have what is called direct access to physical therapy. This means you may be able to schedule an evaluation with a physical therapist without first getting a physician’s referral. However, there are some limitations to this. For example, if you have Medicare or some forms of Tricare, you are required to have a referral from a physician first. If you are unsure, it is always good to check with your coverage before booking your appointment. In addition, you can only be seen by a Doctor of Physical Therapy with direct access. If you wish to see Mike Reing or John Sartore, then you would need a referral first.

Direct access can make it easier to address pain or movement problems sooner, rather than waiting for various doctor appointments that would end up sending you to physical therapy. This saves you time as well as money!

What happens during a physical therapy evaluation?

Your first physical therapy appointment is primarily about getting to know you and figuring out what may be contributing to your symptoms.

Your physical therapist will talk with you about things such as:

• What brought you to physical therapy
• When your symptoms started
• Activities that make your symptoms better or worse
• Your medical and injury history
• How your symptoms are affecting work, exercise, sleep, or everyday activities
• What goals you wish to accomplish through physical therapy

From there, your therapist will perform a physical assessment based on your individual needs.

This may include looking at your strength, flexibility, balance, posture, coordination, and range of motion. If you are coming to us for orthopedic physical therapy or joint pain, we may, for example, assess how a particular joint moves and how the surrounding muscles are functioning. Also be aware, sometimes a different location causes the pain you are feeling. The body all works together so trust your physical therapist that when we work on your neck, it is also important to check out your shoulder and upper back!

The goal isn’t just to find where it hurts, we want to understand why you’re having difficulty and how it is affecting the way you move and live your life.

Will physical therapy hurt?

This is a common concern, and the answer is… it depends... but it is not the goal.

Some parts of the evaluation or treatment may feel challenging, particularly if you are already dealing with pain or an injury. Sometimes we must “poke the bear” to figure out what exactly is causing your pain. However, your physical therapist will work with you to make sure treatment is appropriate for your condition and comfort level. Our goal is not to inflame the area and make the pain worse; our goal is to figure out the problem and help you concur it.

Communication is important. If something doesn’t feel right. Let your therapist know. Your treatment should be a conversation, not something you simply have to push through. Please talk to us!

What will my physical therapy treatment plan include?

Once your therapist understands your symptoms, movement patterns, and goals, you’ll work together to develop a personalized treatment plan. There isn’t one treatment that works for everyone. Depending on what you need, your plan may include therapeutic exercises, hands-on manual therapy, mobility work, balance, training, strengthening, or other specialized techniques.

At Advantage Physical Therapy we also offer services such as dry needling and other treatment options when they are appropriate for your individual needs.

Most importantly, your treatment plan should change as you do. As your strength, mobility, and confidence improve, your physical therapist can progress your exercises and help you work toward the activities that matter most to you.

How should I prepare for my first physical therapy appointment?

You don’t need to do anything complicated to prepare for your first visit.

A few simple things can help:

• Wear comfortable clothing: Choose something that allows you to move easily and gives your therapist access to the area being evaluated
• Fill out intake forms ahead of time: This helps remove some stress from the appointment if traffic is bad. It also is filled with helpful questions that your therapist may go over with you to get a better understanding of what is causing your pain.
• Try and arrive a few minutes early: This gives you time to relax before your appointment and finish any last-minute paperwork the office may have for you.
• Bring a medication list: It can be helpful for your therapist to know about medications you are currently taking, which can sometimes impact some of your symptoms.
• Think about your goals: What would you like to be able to do that you are struggling with right now? Maybe it is walking without pain, getting back to the gym, playing with your kids, returning to a sport, or simply getting through your day more comfortably.

Don’t worry if you are not sure what your goals should be, that is something that you and your physical therapist can work on together!

Your first step towards feeling better

Starting physical therapy doesn’t mean you have to have everything figured out. Your first appointment is simply the beginning of the process.

At Advantage Physical Therapy, we take the time to listen, understand what you are experiencing, and build a treatment plan around you, not just your diagnosis.

If you are looking for physical therapy in Falls Church or Reston, VA, our team is here to help you get started.

Contact Advantage Physical Therapy to schedule your first appointment and take the next step towards moving and feeling better.

Author

Alana Hamilton Alana Hamilton is a physical therapist at Advantage Physical Therapy in Falls Church, Virginia. She is a proud Hokie from Virginia Tech with a major in Biology and a minor in psychology and sociology. Following graduation, she immediately got her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Radford University. She is an avid fan of Pilates, running, and hiking. On the weekends, she can be found hanging out with her family and babies as well as doing Spartan races with her old physical therapy classmates and friends. She is a big believer that during rehabilitation, "Motion is the Lotion" and that staying active is key to remaining healthy.