Getting ready for your 1st physical therapy visit? Not sure what to expect and how to prepare?
Here is a guide for your first physical therapy visit to make sure it’s a success:
Be prepared: Bring all relevant medical information, including your medical history, insurance cards to verify your PT benefits, any imaging or test results relevant to your visit, and a list of your current medications, including supplements. This information will help your physical therapist understand your condition and design an appropriate treatment plan.
Wear comfortable clothing: You should wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Loose-fitting clothing, such as sweatpants or athletic shorts, is ideal. Avoid wearing tight or restrictive clothing, as it may limit your range of motion during exercises.
Arrive early: Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early for your first appointment. This will give you time to beat last minute traffic and to complete any necessary paperwork and get comfortable with the clinic environment.
Communicate openly with your physical therapist: Be honest with your physical therapist about your condition, symptoms, challenges and concerns. This will help them design a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
Physical therapists are doctors who follow strict HIPAA compliance / privacy rules. PTs have an ethical obligation to preserve the confidentiality of private information gathered in association with the care of the patient.
Participate actively in your treatment: Your physical therapist will likely assign you exercises and activities to do outside of your therapy sessions. It is important to complete these assignments and actively participate in your treatment to achieve the best and fastest results.
Ask questions: Don't be afraid to ask questions or voice concerns during your physical therapy session. Your therapist is there to help you, and they want to make sure that you are comfortable and confident in your treatment plan.
Follow your therapist's recommendations: Your physical therapist will likely provide you with recommendations for activities to avoid or modifications to make during your daily routine. It is important to follow these recommendations to prevent further injury and promote healing.
Be patient: Physical therapy is a gradual process, and it may take several sessions before you see significant improvement. Remember it took a while to get injured, it might take some time to heal. Be patient and committed to your treatment plan, and you will likely see positive results over time.
