Your First Visit

• Please arrive at your appointment with your completed paperwork (you can download it from our website—see the paperwork or forms link).
• You will provide us with your referral for physical therapy if you have one. If you don't have a referral, let us know when you schedule your first visit with us (note - a referral is not always needed).
• We will copy your insurance card.
• You will be seen by the Physical Therapist for the initial evaluation.

The therapist will discuss the following:

1. Your medical history.
2. Your current problems/complaints.
3. Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem.
4. How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations.
5. Your goals with physical therapy.
6. Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health.

The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation, which may include some of the following:

1. Palpation - touching around the area of the pain/problem. This is done to check for the presence of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, inflammation, etc.
2. Range of Motion (ROM): The therapist will move the joint(s) to check for quality of movement and any restrictions.
3. Muscle Testing: The therapist may check for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often, muscle strength is graded. This is also part of a neurological screening.
4. Neurological Screening: The therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may also be assessed.
5. Special Tests - the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.
6. Posture Assessment - the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.

The therapist will then formulate a list of your problems and how to treat them. Subsequently, with the patient's input, a plan is developed. This plan includes how many times you should see the therapist per week, how many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short-term/long-term goals, and what is expected after discharge from therapy. This plan is created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor.

 Make sure you bring your physical therapy referral/script (provided to you by your doctor) and your payment information. A referral isn't needed to begin treatment for 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first. If your insurance covers the cost of physical therapy, bring your insurance card. If Workers' Compensation covers you, bring your claim number and case manager's contact information. If you are covered by auto insurance or an attorney lien, make sure you bring this information. 

 You should wear loose fitting clothing so you can expose the area that we will be evaluating and treating. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice, and for low back problems, wear a loose fitting shirt and pants, again so we can perform a thorough examination.