What Happens at Your First Physiotherapy Appointment?

Never been to a physio before?

You might be wondering what actually happens when you walk through the door.

• Do you need a referral?

• Will someone just massage the sore spot?

• Do you need to bring anything?

• And, most importantly, will you actually leave knowing what’s wrong?

Here’s what you can expect at your first physiotherapy appointment at Meadowbank Physiotherapy.

First up, we’ll have a chat

Before we start poking, prodding or getting you to do strange movements, we’ll talk about what’s brought you in.

We’ll ask things like:

• Where does it hurt?

• When did it start?

• Did something happen to cause it?

• What movements or activities make it better or worse?

• How is it affecting your day to day life, work or sport?

• What would you like to get back to doing?

You don’t need to have all the answers. Just tell us what you’ve noticed and we’ll work from there.

Then we’ll take a closer look

This is the assessment part of your appointment.

Depending on your problem, your physiotherapist may look at your movement, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination or how a particular joint or area is working.

For example, if you’ve come in with knee pain, we might look at how your knee moves and how the surrounding muscles and joints are contributing.

The assessment is specific to you and your symptoms. There’s no one size fits all checklist.

We’ll explain what we find

This is an important part of your appointment.

We’ll talk you through what we think is happening and, where appropriate, what may be contributing to your pain or injury.

Physio can sometimes feel like a lot of information at once, so ask questions. If something doesn’t make sense, tell us. We’d much rather explain it again than have you nod along wondering what on earth we just said.

You may start treatment at your first appointment

Depending on your assessment and what you need, treatment may begin during your first appointment.

This could include hands on treatment, movement work, exercises, advice or a combination of different approaches.

Your physiotherapist will also give you practical things you can do outside the clinic to help you move forward.

And no, your exercise programme doesn’t have to involve 47 exercises you’ll never remember doing. We’ll keep it relevant to your injury, your goals and your life.

We’ll make a plan

By the end of your appointment, you should have a clearer idea of:

• What’s going on.

• What we can do about it.

• What you can do at home.

• What happens next.

  
  

Your plan will depend on your injury and what you’re trying to get back to, whether that’s running, playing sport, getting through a day at work, picking up the kids or simply moving without thinking about every step.

Do I need a GP referral to see a physio?

No. You can book directly with a physiotherapist without a GP referral.

If you’ve got a new injury, ongoing pain or something that just isn’t quite right, you can contact us directly and we can assess whether physiotherapy is appropriate.

Can I see a physio for an ACC injury?

Yes. Physiotherapists can assess and treat many injuries covered by ACC.

If your injury is covered, your physiotherapist can help with the ACC process and treatment plan.

At Meadowbank Physiotherapy, we can make an ACC claim for eligible injuries, so you don't necessarily need to visit your GP first.

What should I wear to my first physio appointment?

Wear something comfortable that allows you to move easily and gives your physiotherapist access to the area being assessed.

For a knee or leg injury, shorts or loose fitting trousers can be helpful. For a shoulder problem, a singlet or loose fitting top may make assessment easier.

Don't stress if you turn up in your usual clothes. We'll work with what you've got.

How long does a physiotherapy appointment take?

Your first appointment includes time to talk through your problem, assess what's going on and discuss your treatment plan and takes around 30 minutes.

When should I see a physiotherapist?

You don't have to wait until an injury is unbearable before getting it checked.

It can be worth seeing a physio if:

• Pain is stopping you from doing things you normally enjoy

• An injury isn't improving

• You have ongoing back, neck, shoulder, knee or joint pain

• You've injured yourself playing sport

• You're struggling to return to exercise after an injury

• Your movement or strength has changed

• Something keeps niggling you and you can't quite work out why

Sometimes getting an injury looked at early can help you understand what’s going on and what to do next.

Your first physio appointment doesn't need to be intimidating

You don't need to know what's wrong before you book. That's part of what we're here for.

At Meadowbank Physiotherapy, we'll listen to what's going on, assess the problem, explain what we've found and work with you on a plan to get you moving towards the things you want to do.

Whether you're dealing with a sports injury, a sore back, a dodgy knee or something that's been hanging around for longer than you'd like, we're here to help you get back to doing what you enjoy.

Ready to get it checked out? Book an appointment with Meadowbank Physiotherapy.