What to Expect on Your First Visit
Prior to your initial exam with the physical therapist you will be asked to complete a series of forms. The forms range from privacy notices, waivers, payment agreements and specifics about your injury. You will also be asked to provide your insurance card/cards and a copy of your photo ID. Once the forms are complete and the required information has been collected, your therapist will start by asking you a series of questions about your health and about the specific condition for which you are being seen for. Detailed information about you and your condition will help the physical therapist determine whether you are likely to benefit from physical therapy and which treatments are most likely to help you.
Your physical therapist will then perform a detailed examination. Depending on your symptoms and condition, the physical therapist will evaluate your strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, posture, blood pressure, heart and respiration rates. Your therapist will examine the affected area and/or perform an examination of the mobility of your joints, muscles, and other tissues.
Your physical therapist might also ask you specific questions about your home or work environment, your health habits, activity level, and your leisure and recreational interests so that the therapist can help you become as active and independent as possible. He or she will work with you to determine your goals and will begin to develop a plan for your treatment. In many cases, the physical therapist will make a diagnosis and begin treatment almost immediately.
In most cases, an important aspect of your physical therapy treatment will be education. Your physical therapist might teach you special exercises to do at home. You will learn new and different ways to perform your activities at work and home. These new techniques can help minimize pain, lessen strain, avoid re-injury, and speed up your recovery time.
Your physical therapist will continually recheck your progress and work with you to plan for your discharge from physical therapy when you are ready.
Appointments
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to allow for intake on initial PT appointment. This will allow you time to sign in and prepare for treatment. Late arrival may affect not only your 1-on-1 time with the therapist, but that of other patients in the clinic.
- Before leaving, talk with your Physical Therapist to determine visit frequency to ensure you schedule appointments that work best for you and your schedule.
- Failure to show for an appointment and not calling to cancel within 24 hours of the visit will result in a fee. If an emergency prevents you from attending, try to provide adequate notice. It is important to review the FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers (Midvale) cancellation and no show policy prior to the start of treatment.
- If you plan to discontinue therapy or change the frequency of treatment because of personal or financial considerations, discuss this with your physical therapist. Most times they can give you exercises to do at home to limit your visits in the office.
- After your physical therapy care is completed, continue to follow the after-care instructions provided by the physical therapist.