Have you ever been to a Physical Therapist (PT) for treatment? Most people haven’t and so do not know what to expect from their first visit. The experience should be consistent across the spectrum of care, but unfortunately it isn’t. As with doctors, dentists, chiropractors or any health care provider, the experiences can vary from wonderful to disappointing. Here’s what your first experience at a PT office should look like.
Whether you’ve been referred by a physician or dentist (yes dentists often refer patients for head, neck or facial pain like TMJ disorders), or you’re going without a referral, you should be given an extensive evaluation upon your first visit. This should be done in a private room so that your medical information is not being broadcast across a large room where others can hear your conversation. It must also be performed by a licensed PT and not a PT assistant or other office personnel.
The evaluation should cover your overall medical history including medications, in addition to an extensive examination of the specific area of your body for which you are seeking care. Strength, range of motion, sensation and often balance should be assessed in addition to a hands-on exam, which should include palpation of painful areas. The PT should ask for the history and cause of the pain or dysfunction for which you wish to be treated. Next, there should be a discussion about YOUR treatment goals and a plan put in place. Only at this point should your actual treatment begin, and yes you should receive treatment in addition to your evaluation on your first visit.
Your PT should discuss the anatomy involved in your diagnosis and the reasons for the treatment rendered. They should teach you how and why you were hurt and how to prevent further injury or exacerbation of your present condition. Hands-on care, such as passive stretches, soft tissue release, trigger point massage or edema control techniques should be utilized on most if not all sessions. Detailed exercise instructions including demonstrations should be given to the patient, who should then demonstrate the exercises themselves. Every patient should go home with a home exercise program to supplement their PT session.
There are many practices in the area that offer this kind of one-on-one attention that you deserve. Ask questions when you call for your first appointment so you know what to expect and if it doesn’t sound like what you just read, move on and look elsewhere. You deserve the best and it is out there if you know what you’re looking for.