For your first visit, please be sure to bring the following:
- Your prescription for physical therapy
- Your payment information:
- Insurance – bring your insurance card(s) – we accept most insurances, please feel free to contact us for specifics before your first session if you wish
- Worker’s Comp – bring your claim number and your adjuster/case manager’s contact information
- Liens/ Auto – bring your attorney information and any other relevant information
- Your Completed Intake Paperwork – you can download the forms here or you can come in 15 minutes early and complete the paperwork in our office
- Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes which provide access to your injured area(s), in which you can complete therapeutic exercises
The first visit will last about 60 minutes and includes an initial evaluation where the therapist will discuss the following:
- Your medical history
- Your current problems/complaints
- Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem
- How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations
- Your goals with physical therapy
- Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health
The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation, which may include some of the following:
- 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.
- Range of Motion (ROM) – the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of movement and any restrictions.
- Muscle Testing – the therapist may check for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often the muscle strength is graded. This is also part of a neurological screening.
- Neurological Screening – the therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well.
- Special Tests – the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.
- Posture Assessment – the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.
Based on the assessment, your Physical Therapist will develop your treatment program including a full range of strategies to facilitate your rehabilitation. Your plan is created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor and will include:
- How many times you should see the therapist per week
- Patient education
- Short-term/long-term goals
- How many weeks you will need therapy
- Home exercise programs
- What is expected after discharge from therapy
Our modern facility offers the latest equipment and we support the full range of physical therapy techniques for treating orthopedic conditions of the back, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. To make your recovery as efficient as possible, your personalized treatment program will be based on the latest research and evidence available. It will include some combination of manual therapies and exercises, functional training, education and support for making lifestyle changes.
