How Do I Prepare for My First Physical or Occupational Therapy Appointment?

If you are preparing for your first PT or OT visit, you may be wondering what to expect and may even feel a bit nervous. Here are a few things to think about that will help you feel prepared and confident for your first visit.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

• Bring your insurance card and any other relevant billing information. Contact your Renue Physical Therapy clinic if you’d like to complete your new patient paperwork in advance. If you share your email address when setting up your appointment, you can even complete your intake paperwork online!
• Gather some thoughts about your medical history to discuss with your therapist at your first visit, including any medications or supplements you are taking
• If you’ve received diagnostic testing related to your condition or injury (like x-rays or other scans), bring the information to your appointment so your therapist can review
• As you prepare for your visit and think of questions, write them down. This will make it easier to discuss your questions with your therapist
• Consider what you want to get out of therapy and how you want to feel at the end of treatment. Share these goals with your therapist at the first visit and be specific about what activities you hope to return to

What should I wear?

• Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely and allow your therapist to examine the area of your body you are being seen for. If you are coming from work, you may want to bring a change of clothes if your work clothes restrict your movement
• If you’ve used any braces, slings or other devices for your condition or injury, bring those with you so you can discuss them with your therapist

What should I expect at my first appointment?

• At your first appointment, your therapist will focus on evaluating your condition or injury and getting to know you. Be prepared to answer questions regarding your health history and treatment goals
• Your therapist may screen you to get a better understanding of your flexibility, range of motion, strength, posture or other relevant measures to get a baseline. This will help them create a customized treatment plan to help you achieve your goals

How long do appointments last, and how often will I need to come back?

• For your first appointment, expect about an hour to complete the initial evaluation and get to know your therapist. Your PT or OT will explain their recommendation for how often you should receive therapy and for how long, though most appointments average 45 minutes to an hour
• Depending on your condition or injury, your therapist may also assign you some home exercises and stretches to help you progress between visits

Does physical therapy and occupational therapy hurt?

• Regardless of which type of specialist you are seeing, your therapist’s goal is to help you achieve maximum functioning while minimizing your pain. Depending on the severity of your condition or injury, especially after surgery, you may experience some pain or discomfort during your treatment. Always let your therapist know if you experience pain and how much so they can continue to make adjustments that help you progress with the least amount of pain possible

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your physical or occupational therapy that aren’t answered here, please contact your Renue Physical Therapy clinic and feel free to ask questions! Our team is ready to assist you and help you feel comfortable going into your first appointment.