What happens at your first physical therapy appointment, what to wear and bring, and how to get the most from your first visit. A guide from Advanced Rehabilitation Center in Crossville, TN.
Starting physical therapy is easier when you know what is coming. Your first appointment is mostly about understanding your problem: your physical therapist listens, tests how you move, and builds a plan with you. Here is what to expect at your first physical therapy appointment, what to wear, what to bring, and how to make the most of it.
Before your appointment
- Check your insurance. Many plans cover physical therapy, but coverage, copays and visit limits vary. Some plans also require a doctor’s referral. Call your insurance company, or call us and we will help you find out.
- Fill out paperwork early if forms are sent to you, so your visit can focus on you.
- Think about your goals. What do you want to get back to? Walking the dog, golfing, sleeping through the night or climbing stairs without pain all help shape your plan.
- Arrive a few minutes early for check-in.
What to wear to physical therapy
Wear comfortable clothes you can move in, that also let your therapist see and reach the area being treated.
- Knee, hip, ankle or foot: shorts, or loose pants that roll up above the knee.
- Shoulder, neck or upper back: a tank top, a loose T-shirt or a top with an easy neckline.
- Lower back: stretchy pants or shorts with an elastic waist and a T-shirt.
- Shoes: supportive sneakers or walking shoes, not sandals or dress shoes.
- Skip jeans, skirts, jewelry that gets in the way, and heavy perfume.
What to bring
- Photo ID and insurance card
- Your doctor’s referral or prescription, if you have one
- A list of your medicines and past surgeries
- Surgery paperwork or precautions from your surgeon, if you recently had an operation
- Any brace, splint, cane or walker you have been using
- A water bottle and your questions
What happens at your first physical therapy appointment
1. A conversation about you
Your therapist asks when the problem started, what makes it better or worse, how it affects your day, your health history, and your goals. This is the most important part of the visit, so share as much as you can.
2. A hands-on evaluation
Next comes a physical assessment. Depending on your problem, your therapist may check your posture, range of motion, strength, flexibility, balance and how you walk, and gently press on muscles and joints to find what is sore or restricted. Tell your therapist if anything is painful; the goal is information, not pain.
3. Your diagnosis and plan
Your therapist explains what is likely causing your symptoms, sets goals with you, and recommends how often to come in and roughly how long therapy may take. Ask questions until it makes sense.
4. Your first treatment
Most people start treatment the same day. That may include hands-on manual therapy to ease pain and stiffness, plus a few gentle exercises.
5. Your home program
You leave with a short list of exercises and tips to do at home. Doing them between visits is one of the biggest factors in how quickly you improve.
How will I feel afterward?
Some people feel looser or more comfortable right away. Others feel mild soreness for a day or two, similar to after a new workout. That is normal. Call your therapist if pain is much worse or does not settle within a couple of days.
Questions to ask your physical therapist
- What do you think is causing my pain?
- How many visits will I likely need, and how often?
- What should I avoid while I recover?
- How will we measure my progress?
- What should I do if my pain flares up?
Your first visit at Advanced Rehabilitation Center
At our Crossville clinic, you work one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist. Our team, led by Thomas Nosarzewski, PT, MSPT, DMT, with physical therapists Kathy and Jason, combines skilled manual therapy with personalized exercise. We treat back, neck and shoulder pain, recovery after surgery, sports and orthopedic injuries, arthritis, balance problems and neurological conditions for patients across Crossville, Fairfield Glade and Cumberland County.
- Address: 50 Stanley St., Crossville, TN 38555
- Phone: (931) 456-5757
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:15 PM
Ready to book your first visit? Call us today.
This article is for general information. Insurance coverage and referral rules vary by plan; check with your insurance provider.
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