Having gone through this process several times, this was one of the easier posts to conceive (and one of the harder ones to make sure I was citing outside sources). I’ve been advised to do several of these things, like wearing shorts, talking about expectations, and writing down questions, even after your first appointment.
Any time you think of something to ask your PT, write it down. Once you’re in the thick of your appointment, it’s easy to forget to ask such things.
Is this your first time at physical therapy?
with advice from Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy and Mitch Kaye, PT
So you’ve been having knee pain for a while, and you’re considering physical therapy. What should you expect when you go for your first appointment?
In honor of National Physical Therapy Month, let’s take a look at some things to consider as you start therapy:
Before you even walk through the door, fill out as much of the paperwork as you can.
Your doctor will forward on any tests or diagnoses made at her clinic, notes Bethany Urquidez, a physical therapist at Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy (a Physiquality network member in Arizona). However, your PT will have specific questions about how your body feels and moves, as well as needing the typical insurance paperwork. A lot of physical therapy clinics will have all the required paperwork posted to their website, making it easy to fill out before you arrive for your first appointment.