Taking the first step toward addressing your pain is a huge win, but it’s normal to feel a little uncertain about what comes next. If you’ve never been to a physiotherapist before, you might be wondering what the appointment will actually involve.
SK Physiocare believes a prepared patient is an empowered one. Your first Physio visit is a crucial starting point, so we’ve broken down exactly what you can expect. There are no surprises, just a clear, collaborative process focused on you.
1. The Conversation: Telling Your Story
The most important part of your first visit is the conversation. Before we even look at the painful area, we need to understand your unique story. We’ll sit down with you and ask questions to get the full picture, such as:
- What does your pain feel like (e.g., is it a sharp, dull, or aching sensation)?
- What activities make it better or worse?
- How does it affect your daily life, work, and hobbies?
Example, if you come in with neck pain, we’ll ask about your desk setup at work and how long your commute is. This detailed chat helps us identify potential root causes, not just the symptoms.
2. The Physical Assessment: Seeing How You Move
Next, we’ll move on to a gentle physical assessment to see how your body is functioning. This is a hands-on process to find the specific tissues causing your issue. This may involve:
- Range of Motion Tests: We’ll ask you to perform simple movements, like bending forward or rotating your shoulder, to see your current mobility.
- Strength Checks: We might ask you to gently push against our hand to check the strength of key supporting muscles.
- Palpation: This involves gently touching the affected area to locate inflammation, muscle tightness, or tenderness.
You are always in control, and we encourage you to communicate any discomfort throughout this process.
3. Your Plan and First Treatment
Based on our conversation and assessment, we will explain our findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. We’ll discuss what’s causing your pain and outline a personalised treatment plan with clear goals.
Your first session almost always includes some form of treatment to start the healing process and provide initial relief. This could be gentle hands-on therapy, advice on modifying your activities, or one or two key exercises to begin at home.
Your first physio visit is the beginning of a partnership. If you’re ready to understand your pain and start on the path to recovery, book your initial assessment with SK Physiocare today.