New Client Information For Your First Physical Therapy Appointment
Physical Therapy services provided through Oliver Physical Therapy, PLLC.
Here’s what you can expect from your first physical therapy appointment. Your first session with us will be the session where we complete your initial evaluation. Your physical therapist will take time during this session to learn about your condition, the level at which you are functioning, and how your condition is currently affecting your life.
After this verbal exchange in our session, your therapist will then go on to take a couple of measurements of your impairments and how they affect you. All the information gathered during this session will be used to create a treatment plan for you.
Booking Your Evaluation
When booking your evaluation you may have questions, and we would love to answer those. If you would like to speak directly to a therapist before deciding if you want to choose us for your treatment, this can be done at your evaluation appointment. Bring all your questions and concerns and let’s review them in your first appointment. If you need any information sent to you, we can email some information to help you make your decision.
Preparing for your First Appointment
To prepare for your evaluation you may want to write down any information that is important to your problem. The more information you provide to us, the better able we are to help you.
Writing things down will be beneficial for you on a number of different levels. Come prepared to answer the following questions:
- How and when did your condition present itself?
- How mobile were you before your injury?
- How often do you get your symptoms?
- How is your condition changing if at all?
- What makes your symptoms feel better or worse?
Have a list of the medications you are currently on as well as a list of surgical procedures that you have had in the past.
What to Wear to Your Physical Therapy First Appointment
In your first session, you want to wear clothes that promote movement. If you are suffering from knee, hip, or ankle pain, it is best for you to wear shorts.
At first, the therapist will just talk to you but then they will need to perform an examination. At this time, your impairments will be measured. Measurements you can expect include:
- Range of motion
- Palpation
- Strength tests
- Balance
- Functional mobility
- Neurological screening
Your physical therapist will give you clear instructions prior to the test on what to expect and then during the test about what you need to do. Once these examinations are done, your treatment plan will be prepared.
Setting Up Your Treatment Plan
Once your assessment/evaluation is done, your physical therapist will have an idea of what treatment plan will be best to start off with. They will discuss this with you, indicate the goals of the treatment and the expected course of your rehabilitation.
You will get a list of exercises that you will do at home and a print out to help you stay on track with those. You will get recommendations on how often you should come in for your treatments here at ATW.
They will also give you an indication of when you can expect to see improvements and what type of improvements you can expect. They will ensure you set realistic goals and expectations. Other members of the team may be included, such as our dietician, depending on your condition.
First Appointment – New Evaluation:
Now that we have outlined what you can expect to do prior to your first appointment, let us explain what you can expect from our end. All new evaluations will require time to complete a bunch of paperwork. The paperwork you complete is dependent on your condition, there is some information required that is specific to your condition.
Prior to your visit, please complete the new client packet for your condition.
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- New Client Information for Upper Body Orthopedic Conditions (Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand)
- New Client Information for Lower Body Orthopedic Conditions (Hip, Knee, Ankle, Foot)
- New Client Information for Neck Conditions
- New Client Information for Back Conditions
- Balance Vestibular Concussion New Client Information
- New Client Information for Neurological Conditions (Stroke, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, etc)
- New Client Information for Pelvic Health
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to ensure that all paperwork is completed prior to your visit.
Followup Therapy Sessions
Our Physical Therapy visits are approximately 40 to 60 minutes. Please ensure you are on time for your first physical therapy appointment and every other scheduled appointment time, to maximize your time and benefit.
Insurance Information:
We accept the following insurance carriers for Physical Therapy:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- BCBS
- MVP
- United Health Care
- Fidelis
- CDPHP
- Worker’s Comp
- No Fault
- Tricare Humana – out of network
- Aetna – out of network